A Red Apple (21 page)

I’
m officially hooked and if Piper so much as looks in Zeke direction again, she will get her ass whooped. Like the bitch said, she is no friend of mine anyway.

My sorors and I have been so busy practicing for our step show at the school barbeque that I haven’t had time to do anything else.
The day is finally here and I’m more than ready to get down. The panther walk is packed with students, faculty and a few family members. My mother is out here somewhere too. She’s traveled all this way to see my performance and she is in for a real treat this time around.

The smell of smoking barbeque is in the air and boy it sure smells delicious. We have the hottest radio station out to DJ the event so everyone is showing off his or her best moves. All of the Greeks are in their paraphernalia, even the old heads are representing. Things can
’t be any better as far as I’m concerned.

My sorority and I
painted our platform cherry and crème yesterday night and it turned out to be pretty nice. It almost looks like a candy cane. We look bomb in our black shorts, white button-up shirts, red bow ties and glittery, red, Alice in Wonderland pumps. It’s time for us to perform so we start our line and the song we selected comes on as we stomp the yard towards the stage. “I love bad bitches that’s my fucking problem,” ASAP rocky is detonating the speakers. I am so happy we chose that song because everyone is live. They know not to break our line though so even though they are having a good time, they get their ass out of our way as we stroll pass. We are onstage now in our line up about to perform.

“He said he love bad what?” I say getting the show started. “Sorors who
dat?”

“We only see ladies around here,” They all say in unison looking around with confused looks on their face
s.

“That’s what I thought.
” I pop my collar like a G and it’s all part of the act. “Let’s show them how the
Ladies
of Delta Pi Sigma can be a F’ing problem.”

We step our butts off and before I know it, it
’s all over. I have such a rush coming off the stage and wish we can do it all over again. I’m so proud to be a woman of DPS because I feel like I’m at home. Like it was meant to be. Well, technically it is because I am a legacy but still, I had a choice and I’m happy with the one I made. We are all about public service, academics, and community outreach but when it’s time to have fun like on a day like today, we know how to have a good time.

“
We was turnt up girl,” I high five my ace Courtney.

“I know right? Doesn’t get any
betta than DPS baby.” She says.

“Ah-
woop,” we scream our signature sound in unison. Like clockwork, every other DPS member in the crowd neos and old heads follow suit.

Seconds later
, all of the other fraternities and sororities start doing their own sounding off and the panther walk sounds like a chicken pen. I spot my mother talking to someone and I run over in her direction. I haven’t seen her since my DPS coming out show, which I never got to participate in a while back. When I see the man she’s talking to I almost go loco. Why the hell is Zeke anywhere near my mother with his trifling ass? I really need the strength because I’m about to go from zero to bitch in less than a nanosecond. I take a deep breath and decide I won’t give him the satisfaction of seeing me irate. Instead, I will kill his ass with kindness.

“Hello mother.
” I kiss my mother on the cheek. “What did you think about our show?”

“Y’all did us old heads proud and baby let me tell you
, it’s hard to impress us,” She laughs.

“Tell me about it. We’ve been practicing day in and day out,” I say. “I see you’ve met my old professor, Dr. James.”

“You’re Dr. Zeke James?” My mother asks him doubtfully as she removes her sunglasses to get a better look.

“Yes ma’am Mrs. Smith, that would be me,” He extends his hand. “It’s a pleasure.”

“I’ve heard a lot about you. I don’t want a handshake give me a hug. It makes sense now.” She looks over in my direction and winks at me.

“All good things I hope.” Zeke gazes over at me like only he can, sending chills up my spine.

‘Piper we’re not doing this today. You will not fall for this charming bastard.’ I think to myself.

“Why yes of course darling.
My daughter speaks very highly of you.” My mother says to Zeke.

“Is that right?” Zeke chuckles. “Your daughter is a very, very
talented
young lady. I miss having her in my class.”

“Mom, let’s go find a picnic tabl
e so we can eat,” I say changing the subject. I know there is a sexual innuendo behind his ‘very talented’ remark.

“Great idea, I’m famished. Dr. James why don’t you join us?” My mother suggests.

“No! That will not be necessary. Dr. James I’m sure you have a lot to do. It was nice seeing you though.” I muster up what little patience I have left and smile.

“I wou
ld love to. Lead the way ladies because I haven’t had a good meal in a while.” He says staring at me enticingly.

We grab a few BBQ plates and sodas. The hard part is discovering an empty picnic table but we manage to find one
further away from the action and take our seats. Zeke and my mother talk mostly and I just tune them out. I don’t care that I’m being rude because I don’t have anything to say to Zeke. Nada. As far as I’m concerned, I had said everything I needed to say to his ass when he beat me. There is no coming back from that. If my mother was not sitting here I would have more than a few nasty words for him and I’m positive he knows that. The audacity of him to sit in front of my mother and pretend as if everything between us is fine is beyond me. I mean the way they are carrying on; you would think we were all one big happy family. They are sharing stories about me, laughing and my mom is even showing him old pictures of me from back in the day.

“I think I just saw an old soror of mine. I’m going to go and speak to her.” My mom says pulling me out of my thoughts.

“Great introduce me.” I stand up to go with.

“No d
ear. You stay here and talk to your old
professor
as you call him. I will be right back.” With that she walks away.

I sit down and don’t say a word to him. Part of me wants to head for the hills and never look back. If my mother only knew half of the story, she wouldn’t have made that suggestion. I take a sip of my grape soda and burp, how embarrassing.

“Excuse me,” I blush. “That was so gross.”

“You did your thing out there ma.” Zeke takes my outburst as a cue to start talking.

I remain quiet and act as if I haven’t heard anything he’s said to me.

“You
gonna give a bruva a hard time?” He asks.

“Zeke
I’m not giving you a hard time. What I’m doing is giving you no time because I don’t have a damn thing to say to you. There is nothing between us anymore or have you forgotten about how you beat me? I’m only over here so my mother doesn’t have to search high and low to find me. If I had my way, you would get your dog ass up and leave!”

“
You know what, that’s enough. Let’s be real you enjoyed me whipping your ass. And if there aint shit between us then why you so mafuckin mad?” He gets up and comes over to my side to sit next to me. “What’s the real problem here Piper?”

“
Who enjoys being beat Zeke? How could you even fix your mouth to say something like that?” I roll my eyes and scoot over far away from him. “You need to move back over there because if Carter sees us talking that wont sit well with him. Basketball practice will be over soon so he will be here any minute now”

“I don’t know about W
HO but YOU definitely liked it. You were practically begging for it. You came so many times til’ you ain’t know if you were cuming or going. Tell me you didn’t Piper? And Carter gone get his ass beat if he comes this way. I’m talking to the woman that’s in love with me. Whose clit is probably having a fit right about now because of me. The woman I’m taking home after this bullshit ass barbeque with me.” He taunts as if I’m still the same naïve bitch he used to play to the left. What he doesn’t know is that the old me is long gone now.

“Your girl B is on her way over here to get you,” I shake my head in disgust.

“I will handle that. But my girl is right in front of me,” He smiles. The smile that used to melt my heart almost makes me want to slap the piss out of him now. “Let me take you out for dinner Piper.”

“Not going to happen Zeke,” I cross my arms. “And you better handle your little rat too.”

“Hey baby,” B kisses Zeke and mean mugs me. “What are you doing all the way over here?”

“I’m having a conversation with Piper. Did you need something?” Zeke replies in an irritated tone.

“Hello Piper,” B murmurs.

“I don’t address basic ass bitches because that corny shit is influential.” I say chuckling and looking back at Zeke waiting for him to get rid of his pest. I start tapping my fingers on the table to let him know
he needs to hurry it up because this bitch has to get out of my presence.

“Who you c
alling a basic bitch?” B yells trying to blow up.

“Bitch
Puh-lease act like you know. Zeke is over here because he can’t get enough of this thoroughbred pussy. Ask him? Ask him Brianna? Oh your mediocre ass know better don’t you? You already know you’re not half the bad bitch I am even on my worst day. Now run along and go find a nigga on your level because you are out of your league with this one!” I spit bringing her simple ass back down to reality.

“You
wildin’ shorty.” Zeke says to me laughing hard as hell.

“Zeke are you going to handle this
stupid hoe or do I need to?” My voice is raised and I am beyond boiling now.

“B go see where you gotta go,” Zeke waives Brianna off and she scatters just like the rat she is.

“Thanks for getting rid of the pest problem. I thought I was going to have to call the exterminator.” I laugh at my own joke because that was a good one. “And about that dinner…no.”

“You sure about that?” His left brow rises.

“What you gonna force me to do that too? Or just beat me until I say yes again?” I challenge him.

“If you keep this shit up hell yeah. But that’s what you want isn’t it, tell me?” He smiles because he knows I want it. He’s sitting there so cocky and sure of himself
. It makes me mad that he’s right. “Tell me to whoop that ass and take that pussy. It’s ok to like it rough baby.”

“I don’t have to tell you shit Zeke!”

“It would be in your best interest to calm yo mafuckin ass down and answer my question. If you know what I mean.” He advises.

“Yeah okay boss. I did like it…no…I loved it and damn near appreciated it. But that tells me I’m losing it because who in their right mind would have these feelings? You have really fucked me up in the head and for the…” I stop because my mother has f
inally shown back up and boy I’m happy to see her.

“You youngsters
didn’t kill each other right?” She jokes.

“Piper I love you baby. I’ve been running away from it for a while now but not anymore. We need to figure out how to get things back right between us because I’m not about to just let you go. I can’t.” Zeke stands up in front of me and grabs my hands. “Let me take you out for dinner. Just one dinner.”

I don’t say a word.

“Piper where is your manners? You answer that man,” My mother chastises.

“Mom you don’t understand what Zeke has put me through,” I whine.

She raises her brows and starts tapping her foot on the ground. In other words
, she’s still waiting for me to give Zeke an answer.

“Okay fine. No I’m not having dinner with you.”
I say to him.

“What do you want from me woman?” Zeke asks. “Whatever it is
, you got it.”

“After everything Zeke? Now you tell me you love me…well it’s too late. I want you to leave me the hell alone.” I shout.

“Don’t do this to me baby. You can have anything but that.” The look in his eyes tells me he means every word but I’m not going there with him. It’s a little late.

“I’m not doing this in front of my mom so we can talk some other time,” I snatch my hand away from him. “
Keep your hands off of me. Goodbye Zeke.”

“It was nice to finally meet you Dr. James,” my mother says politely. “I wish it were under different circumstances.”

“It will be one day.” He says convinced and walks away.

After all of the shit we’ve been through
, now he wants to come around? I’m in a good space right now. Carter and I are going strong and I have new friends, my own place. His chance has come and gone and I’m not going back there. He needs to go find someone else and I’m sure there are plenty of other women out there who can love him. Things are going well for me simple, predictable no heartache and pain. I have spent way too many nights holding on to my pillow crying behind his ass. Zeke has really put a damper on my day and I don’t want to be bothered with anyone, not even my mother. But her flight isn’t until later this evening.