"You guys can go and rest, I'm going to see Mekhi," I say to the girls as we walk back to our cars.
"Where is he supposed to meet you," Rylie asks as there's a huge crowd of people on campus today.
"Yeah, you can't go walking around by yourself today," Susu chimes in.
"I'm not sure…" I say as my phone signals a message and I open it up to read it.
"What's up," Nova asks.
"He says he's going to meet me at my car and to stay put," I say smiling.
"Good, I'm glad he understands that it's not good for you to wander around be yourself today," Rylie says.
"Yeah, he's good most of the time," I say as we arrive at our cars.
"Who is good most of the time," a deep velvet voice says mockingly behind me.
"Kai, you're here already! Congratulations," I say unhooking my arms from Susu and Rylie's and jumping into Mekhi's arms.
"Thank you," he says with his signature panty busting smile hugging me close.
"You're welcome," I say smiling brightly.
"Ahem, there's no need to show off in front of us," Rylie says clearing her throat.
"I'm sorry, hello ladies," Mekhi says to the girls while placing me on my feet.
"Hey," the girls all say in unison.
"Thank you ladies for coming today, I really appreciate it," he says smoothly.
"It's no problem. Congratulations," Rylie says.
"Congratulations," Nova and Susu say at the same time.
"Thank you again ladies, I suppose I will be seeing you tonight at the campus party," he says looking at them then me.
"Sure, we'll be there," Nova says looking at me.
"Thank you girls for hanging out with me today, get some rest so that we can party hard later," I say to them.
"See you later Lena," Rylie says hugging me and stepping back and the other two follow.
"Bye guys, let me know when you've made it home and I'll text you later," I say smiling at my best friends.
"Bye," they all say as they get into their cars preparing to leave.
"Now, we���re alone," Mekhi says snaking his hands around my waist and kissing me behind the ear.
"We're not alone crazy! We are outside still," I say blushing.
"I almost forgot, I missed you," he says turning me around and kissing me.
"I missed you too," I say after he releases my lips.
"Do you want to leave," he asks me.
"Only if you're ready, this celebration is for you and your team mates we can partake in some more of the festivities before we leave," I say to him.
"Okay, I'll listen to you today," he says.
"Unless you are really ready to leave," I say blushing at his words.
"When we leave are you going to tell me what's been bothering you since I've been away," he asks looking me in the eyes with a raised eyebrow.
"Yes, or we can walk and talk about it," I say grabbing his hand.
"Are you sure," he asks.
"Yes, I don't want to keep anything from you. I just didn't want to mess up your mindset prior to the game," I say to him biting my lip in anticipation of his answer.
"It sounds serious," he says with a small smile.
"No, not really. Just annoying," I respond to him as we begin walking towards the festivities being held in and around the stadium.
"So, what is it," he asks patiently.
"My ex-boyfriend called me yesterday apologizing and wanting to get back together. At first I was shocked he called me, I only answered the phone because I didn't recognize the number. Then I was angry and upset that he had the nerve to call me knowing how he betrayed me and how much it hurt me. With that being said I didn't want to hear anything he had to offer, so I hung up on him and tried to hide my feelings from my mother. Finally, I spoke to her about it because she picked up on my concealed feelings and she suggested talking to him to get closure. And I think that she's right, it's not that I still have feelings for him but I don't want to cause any misunderstandings between you and me over him. I want to make it clear with him and draw the line between us," I say to Mekhi honestly looking at him occasionally to gauge his reaction.
"Wow, I'm glad that you didn't tell me this prior to my game…you're right! I would not have been able to concentrate as I would have been worried about you and what you were doing. Thank you for that and thank you for your honesty, you could have kept this to yourself and dealt with it on your own. So, how do you want to handle talking to him? Would you like me to be there with you," he says seemingly at a loss for words.
"I'm telling you because I like for everything to be out in the open. I don't think I would be able to hide something like this in my heart while continuing to be with you. I will talk to him face to face if possible just to let him know how I feel and where I stand. I would like to do it without you being present so that he understands that these are my real feelings…however I would like you to be close by so that I have emotional support," I say to him with a nervous smile.
"Emotional support," Mekhi questions.
"Yes, while I can't stand the man. He was my first love and he hurt me deeply. I definitely don't want him back, I just don't know what type emotional state I will be in when it's all said and done," I respond to him.
"Alright baby, whatever you want to do I'll support you," he says squeezing my hand with a small smile.
"Are you sure Kai? If not, I will figure out some other way to handle this problem. I really don't want it to affect us or our relationship. One thing that I am crystal clear on is that I want to be with you. There is not a single doubt in my mind about that," I say as I stop walking to make things clear for him.
"Listen love, I will be okay as long as you are leaving with me I can deal with everything else," he says reassuringly touching my face with his free hand.
"Okay," I say leaning into his touch and tip toe to lightly kiss his lips.
"Let's go," he says and we continued walking to the festivities surrounding the stadium.
We enjoyed the festivities, playing games, taking pictures, and eating food from the stalls that were set up. We chatted with a few members of the basketball team and eventually met up with Owen, Nate, and Cameron. After socializing and playing for a few hours, we finally leave the campus and head back to Mekhi's place. The both of us completely exhausted, we shower and take a nap in his bed under the notion that we are resting for tonight's celebration party on campus. Wrapped in Mekhi's arms and surrounded by his scent sleep finds me immediately as I succumb to its lure with a peaceful sigh.