C H A P T E R
T W E L V E

        "Alora won yesterday so she gets to chose the topic question to start off our daily discussion," Cali announced and everybody nodded preparing themselves for her wild question.

Chris shook his head knowing Alora was finna say something crazy, everytime she won her questions would be off the wall and weird but also entertaining in a way.

"Alright so I did a lot of thinking about what I wanted to ask the guys this time," Laughing a little, she stood up from her seat. "Okay so fellas lets say you guys are out with your girl then a man pulls up on y'all holding y'all up at gun point but he gives you guys an option .. you either suck his dick or he kills you and your girl .. what y'all gon' do?"

The girls busted out laughing at the guys faces, "We'll start with Harmon, what would you do?"

Smacking his teeth he rolled his eyes, "You always asking gay shit, but I got kids to raise and feed so I'd suck his dick." He shrugged.

"Hell nah man, that nigga betta empty the clip on my ass cause I ain't sucking no dick," One dude spoke up causing a few other guys to nod.

"So some of you would rather you and your girl die? When that all can be prevented if you suck his dick? Sad." Alora said laughing.

"No what's sad is your edges, but what tha fuck I look like sucking a nigga dick? Cali don't let her ass do topic question no more."

Laughing Cali watched as they all bickered back and forth before she stood up. "Okay okay, calm down guys majority of you all say no .. only reason being is because its gay which is a valid point but I mean look at the aspect of it .. you are saving you and your lovers life."

One dude rose his hand and she nodded at him letting him know he could speak. "Fuck that, answer this .. would you want Ahmad to do it? And if he did .. would you look at him the same?"

Cali got mute causing them all to laugh, "Exactly, I rest my case .. ain't nobody sucking no dick."

Waving him off, Cali called for her next client to come to her chair. "Anyways next question is who comes before the other .. Your mama and daddy, baby mama or baby daddy, your girl or your man or your kids? List the order on who comes first. I personally say my kids come first, then my man then my parents then my baby daddy but my baby daddy really wouldn't be on the list."

"I would say my man comes first, then my kids, then my parents and my baby daddy is my man so yeah he'd come first." Ayanna one of Cali's stylist spoke up but only a few people agreed with her.

"Your man before your kids? Baby no, your kids should always be first." Glenda commented.

"I have to agree with Glenda on this one. I love my wife but my babies will always come first, cause at the end of the day all our sacrifices are for them so they can have a better life than we did. If we only got enough food in the fridge for the kids to eat then so be it, me and my wife just gon' go hungry. I can't stand folks who put other needs and desires before the ones who will always be there. You can't get rid of a child that's your flesh and blood and that flesh and blood gon' always love you unconditionally while that man or woman you put before them could wake up and leave yo ass in a blink of an eye."

Mostly everybody nodded in the shop agreeing with his point of view except one or two females and they were up for a debate, "Nah, I love my babies I swear I do but my man is the man of the household, he pays all the bills, he works hard to make sure me and my kids are good so if we got only enough food in the house for the kids to eat .. I'm sorry but my man worked too hard he deserves a meal regardless and he will eat first and my kids will eat second."

Cali frowned at her logic, but decided not to say anything.

"Bitch who raised you? You'd rather your kids go to bed hungry while your man eats? Bitch that's bullshit,"

Rolling her eyes, she stood up. "The bible says God himself comes first, then your man then the kids. I'm going off the bible."

"Hoe you ain't holy, just admit you ain't shit." One guy spoke up.

When the girl went to say something back, Cali held her hands up. "Okay we're moving on. The next topic question is from Glenda,"

Fluffing her curls, Glenda smiled. "As we all know, I am a freak .. so of course my question is gonna be sexual." She started off causing them to laugh alittle. "But anyways my question is what is the most outrageous thing you have ever done sexually with your spouse? This goes for everybody, I'm gonna start off with the fellas first."

One guy rose his hand then looked down, "I um let my girl eat my ass and stick her finger in my butt."

Everyone sat there stunned and shocked cause he looked liked one of the thuggish and hardest niggas but out here getting his ass ate. Soon everyone laughed and a few other guys admitted to letting their girl do the same.

"The most outrageous thing me and my man has done would be fucking while I was on my cycle. I mean we used condoms but yeah."

"On yo cycle? Fuck nah, that's nasty." Cali said laughing.

"Okay whatever Cali, what is the most outrageous thing you and Ahmad have done?"

Before she could answer her salon door chimed and in came Anari. Cali held a certain look in her eyes not once greeting her then excused herself to the back.

Chris noticed Cali's weird actions but decided to ask later as Anari approached him. "Hey baby,"

Kissing her on the lips, he took the bag of food then passed out the burgers and fries to his other barbers. When he was finished making sure everyone had their food, he asked for Anari to meet him outside.

"Is everything alright?" She asked leaning against her car.

"I don't know is it? You and Cali not speaking .. since when did that change? Did something happen last weekend between you guys at the club?"

Other than the fact that she knows I fucked Ahmad, no. She thought in her head.

"No, we're good babe. You're looking too deep into it. Females do this, one minute we speaking then the next we not." She shrugged really hoping he would drop it.

Anari and Ahmad had sex back when she was a stripper, it happened a few times but it was long before Cali and Chris even came into the picture. And when she came around with Chris, Ahmad didn't even remember her or who she was or that they fucked before until she brought it to his attention, but they both decided not to say anything since it happened so long ago and that it clearly meant nothing to either of them.

"Alright fine, but thanks for lunch."

"You're welcome, I'll see you later though gotta get back to work. Give me kisses,"

Smiling he wrapped his arms around her waist then leaned down to kiss her on the lips. "I'm meeting up with my dad next weekend, not sure what to expect but in a way .. I'm kinda excited. We been chatting it up for a minute now and he's just like I remember him. Funny and so understanding."

"That's good baby, I'm glad things are going well between you guys."

"Yeah, but I'll let you go. I love you."

Kissing him one last time, she smiled rubbing her lip gloss of his lips. "I love you too, see you at home later."

Watching her drive off Chris knew she was lying when she said her and Cali were good and he was gonna figure out what happened between the two.

       Laughing Travis threw his hands up in the air in surrender. "I froze, I went to talk to her and panicked then I walked off in shame."

It's Wednesday and like he said Travis returned back to his session ready to talk about his experience with his crush and other things.

Derek shook his head with an amused smile on his face, "Okay so what exactly happened?"

"Alright so we were in History class and I promise you I caught her looking at me a few times on the low but I ain't say nothing so after class I saw her walking in the halls alone so I decided to make my move so I approached her and it was like my train of thought just crashed. I couldn't talk, I couldn't even breath so to save myself from embarrassing myself even more I just walked off."

"What happened after that?"

"Nothing, she looked at me kinda crazy but she still smiled and whenever I would see her around campus she would smile my way and look the other way soo that must be a sign that checking for me right? Or am I bugging?"

"It could possibly mean that, but you'll never know unless you finally overcome that fear of rejection."

He groaned, "Why does love have to be so complicated? I wish we could all read minds cause then she could just read my mind and see how I feel about her." He said in a defeated sigh.

Derek shook his head laughing at how dramatic he was being, "Nothing ever comes easy, that's just part of life but you just make sure next time that you have a whole plan planned out on what you're gonna say so you don't make yourself look like a fool again.. stop thinking about the what ifs and just go for it if she is truly who you want."

"Yessir,"

"Alright so let's get down to business, you said last time alot of your problems come from the death of your parents .. give me a brief run down of some of the problems you face."

"I sometimes just go through dark moments, and by that I mean like I could be laughing and joking then like all of a sudden I'm feeling sad and don't want to be bothered. I'll lock myself up in my room, lay in my bed and cry the whole time and I never be knowing exactly why. I thought it was normal but I'm starting to see its unhealthy also too."

"Have you ever told anybody about these little mood changes?"

He shook his head no, "I don't like telling people my issues or doubts because I never wanna seem like a burden or annoying. That's why I'm kinda glad I met you cause with you I can just spill whatever and never once feel judged."

"You don't ever go to your brother Tremaine?"

"I sometimes do, but he's an active activist for women rights and black rights so he is always busy and he helps enough people, I don't wanna add onto the pile of things he has to worry about but I do wish I could go to him more he gives good advice."

"Travis, I'm sure your brother would not mind being there and helping you especially since this is what he does for a living. That fear of rejection is something you really need to work on son.."

"I know and I will .. I'm trying I swear."

"And that's all that matters, soon as that fear of rejection leaves your mind you'll be so much better off because its so much you are already missing out on due to that fear."

Travis nodded, "I know, thats why I'm willing to do this and to start playing football. I made a promise to myself that Saturday I will come to the fields and talk to Ahmad alone and see about him training me."

"That's great, you got the address so I'm hoping you're a man of your word and show up cause I'll be there."

        Saturday came quicker than expected and liked promised, Travis was at the fields in search of Ahmad or whoever he needed to talk too. The park was packed with kids, teens and adults that all came out to either be seen or to watch the games. He looked around at all of the men and women who had came out to the game impressed that it was so many people and that they were all coming together for a good cause rather than for violence.

He saw ladies talking amongst themselves pointing at people they were more than likely gossiping about, he spotted little kids running around with their friends, he even spotted some thuggish ruggish type of niggas out here supporting but his main focus was on finding someone he may have knew that could direct him to where he needed to go.

Pulling out his phone he went to send Derek a quick text to see where he was at but before he could even press send he bumped into someone causing them to drop their nachos. Quickly looking up to apologize he froze just as she did, but immediately snapped out of his daze thinking back to what Derek aaid. "I-I'm sorry, I swear I didn't see you." He stuttered.

Blushing shyly, the anger she once felt quickly faded when she saw him. "Its fine, I should've been paying more attention."

Both bending down, he helped her pick up her mess with the napkins she had trying to shake his nerves but he would have never thought he'd be this close to his crush. Taking the trash from her hands he dumped it in the trash.

"Thanks Travis,"

Growing shock at the fact that she knew his name, he rubbed the top of his head trying to hide his smile. "You know my name?" He asked as they both began walking together.

"..Yeah, why wouldn't I?"

He shrugged, "I don't know maybe because you don't know me,"

Laughing she looked away, "I know you ...trust me," but before she could elaborate on what she meant her older brother called for her to come here and just like that she whisked away leaving him confused because he knew that statement had a double meaning behind it due to the way she said it.

After standing there for a good five minutes, he eventually went back to his original mission which was to find Ahmad. When he spotted Derek and Hazel standing at the gate with Tyler, he sighed in relief and walked over towards them glad to see a familiar face. Derek just so happened to turn his head to see him coming and smiled glad that he actually kept his word and decided to come out. "Great, you made it! How are you?"

"I'm nervous honestly, is he here yet?"

"Yeah, you see the guy with the red shirt on holding the little girl that's him. The other guys are his bestfriends Shaun and Marcus. Gon' over there before the game starts, I told him about you already so he's expecting you."

Nodding his head he nervously rubbed his hands down his pants to get rid of the sweat that formed on them and began walking over to the group of men talking amongst themselves. He wasn't sure why he was so nervous, but he was and he was hoping he didn't say the wrong thing to him to were he wouldn't want to help him.

Approaching them, Marcus spottd him first getting Ahmad's attention and pointed at him. Looking back behind him he smiled, "You must be Travis right?"

"Yessir,"

"Glad to see you meant business, I'm Ahmad and these my boys Shaun and Marcus. And this little lady here is my baby girl Armoni." Shaking all of their hands, and waving at Armoni who simply blushed and looked away out of shyness he took a small step back trying to control his breathing and nerves.

"Relax kid, over there sweating bullets like a nigga in the same room with his side hoe and main bitch," Shaun joked.

"Ignore him, but anyways so Dee tells me you want to play football, what position you tryna aim for? You look like a quaterback, a wide reciever and maybe a running back." Ahmad said looking at his built, Travis was tall but not lanky which was good.

"Wide reciever is what I was really aiming for,"

Handing Armoni to Marcus, he asked if they could give him a minute. Once they were gone, Ahmad drapped his arm over his shoulder. "We'll train you for all three positions, versatile players go further in the sport and get more PT and we'll even run some defense plays just to show you can play on defense too."

"I'm down for whatever, when can we start?"

"If you want to be ready by next football season we need to start now, you gotta get in shape for football cause it involves a lot of running, are you free on Tuesday's and Thursday's at six o'clock?"

"Yeah, I should be."

"Good, meet me here at this park every Tuesday and Thursday at six .. we'll all be here with you working on conditioning, and drills and other things to get you right."

Travis smiled, "Thank you so much for this,"

"You're welcome, but since I'm doing you a favor .. I need you to do me a favor."

Travis looked him over wondering what he was about to have him do, "I need a ball boy for games and practices can you do that? I just need you to come to the Monday and Friday practices and Saturday games if you can that would be helpful. If you need a ride or anything my wife can pick you up."

"What time do practices start?"

"Five or five-thirty, depending on traffic and weather. I try to give parents enough time to get off and get their kids ready." He explained as they walked towards the sideline where the other coaches stood talking.

"I should be able to come, I'll just have to ask my brother to bring me."

"Great, after the game I'll give you my number.. but for now can you grab that ball bag and follow me."

Doing as told he helped Ahmad set up the field, placing cones down for the kids to know where the out of bound area was. He placed footballs on the other side of the field for the opposing team to have and filled up their coolers with ice for the water and gatorade bottles he purchased for them to have.

"So what do you like about football?" Ahmad asked him sorta curious as to where his mind was at.

"Everything but I mainly like the brotherhood thats formed within it as well, like growing up me and my brothers never really had that chance to bond since we were immediately separated and I always wanted that experience. I also like that its really a team effort sport like you can't just have one good player and expect touchdowns, in order to get touch downs or even yards from the wide reciever its all up to the team and how well they're blocking. It only takes one person to mess up to ruin the play and I like that."

Ahmad nodded, "Yeah I know whatchu mean, friday night lights in high school were always my favorite. I'm telling you the crowd and those bright lights will amp you up."

"I bet plus this was me and my grandpa dream for me to play football and I really want to achieve our dream before he passes away."

Ahmad looked back at him sitting the last cone down and smiled, "You will, just gotta committ to this and you will be able to achieve the dream."

"Yessir, but why do you like football? If you don't mind me asking."

"I didn't at first, it was just something that looked fun to do so I tried out and just so happened to make the team but I used it as an escape route. Cause when I was on the field nothing else mattered, if I was angry about something I would take my anger and frustration out on the field .. and I just eventually fell in love with it overtime. Like today is the three year anniversary of the death of my baby sister, and all day I've been trying to keep myself busy so I don't have to think about it."

Travis nodded, "I write, thats what I use as my escape from reality."

"What do you write?"

"Anything really, poems, short-stories, novels .. plays whatever comes to mind. I have like five journals filled up with things I have written but most of em be about my life, or what I wish my life could be like or this girl I really like .. I write about what I would say to her if I could ever get over the fear of her not wanting me .. just simple stuff," He shrugged.

"That's actually really good, you ever thought about doing more with your writing like publishing it? You can fuck around and be the next Tyler Perry or something."

"No, I never thought about it."

"I think you should, but I gotta get going the game is finna start .. you don't have to be my ball boy today but Next Saturday I'ma need you, thanks for helping me set up and I'm looking forward to training you."

Shaking his hand one last time, Travis walked off going towards the stands sitting next to Derek and Hazel but on