Free Prime Choice by Stephanie Perry Moore

knew Tori threw a pillow at Amandi’s back ... It was on then!
    â€œWhat you doing all up on my man? What’s up?” Tori shouted at Amandi.
    â€œPlease! Everybody know y’all are through. Plus, you’re with Marlon, the Knife Boy. Perry is free, and I’m ’bout to change all that,” she said before getting back on my lap.
    I had to push her back, though. She didn’t speak for me. Seeing two ladies go at it because of me wasn’t making me feel good.
    â€œAmandi, Tori is my girl,” I spoke up.
    Tori pointed for me to follow her outside. We walked away. There were so many people in that house. My head was hurting from how hot and sweaty it was getting.
    When I found my way outside, I said to Tori, “All right, can we blow this place now?”
    â€œI told Briana I’d help her since her folks know I’m spending the night over here. Why can’t you stay beside me? Why you have to be all out so those girls can think you’re by yourself?” she asked.
    â€œWe don’t have to put on a show for nobody. We can leave, and I’ll bring you back when the party’s done. I thought we wanted the same thing.”
    â€œIt’s supposed to be about us being together, Perry. And we’re together right now.”
    â€œNaw, that’s not what I reassigned for. I mean, I knew we were gon’ take things slow, and I’m okay with that. But even with that, I just want some time alone with you.”
    â€œIt’s just gonna lead us to trouble,” she sighed.
    Cole came grabbing me for help. My girl got away. I was upset, feeling like Tori and I were only together for appearances. By the disgusted look on my face as I came back inside, all the ladies in the house knew that me and Tori’s thing wasn’t that solid. I wasn’t down with forcing myself on anybody. Tori made me feel like she wasn’t ready to get anything going.
    All night I watched her. She smiled at me, and that was nice. We danced, and that was cool. She kept putting up a fight when I wanted us to spend time alone. That wasn’t gon’ cut it. I needed to figure this “getting back together thing” out. Maybe I had made a mistake.
    Â 
    My dad was up when I walked through the door. “Boy, I told you to be in this house at 1:30. It’s 1:45! And you strolling up in here like you’re grown or something.”
    â€œDad, I’m just fifteen minutes late. It’s not that big a deal. I had to help get Cole out of trouble.”
    â€œWhat you mean, get him out of trouble? Y’all been drinking or something?”
    â€œNaw, Dad. You know I’m not into that.”
    â€œBoy, I don’t know what you’re into. Saw you at the game, told you what time to be home, and you broke that. Your mother and I have been up worrying about where you were. You don’t call, and you don’t even answer your cell phone. And then you walk up in here like it’s no big deal. Guess you figure you don’t owe us an explanantion. I’m not having it! You will respect my authority as long as you live in my house.”
    â€œFine, Dad, I’m in trouble. Just give me my punishment tomorrow,” I said as I walked past him, ready to lay my head on the bed.
    â€œBoy, if you don’t bring your behind back here right now ...”
    I turned around and walked back toward my father. He was mad, but I was furious with the fact that he was blowing these few minutes out of proportion. And for what? I wasn’t messing up in no kinda way. He had a good son compared to most.
    When my friends want to get drunk, some of my boys sneak in a lil’ somethin’ somethin’, and I haven’t gotten with that. I even have some teammates that slip and slide with different girls, but I don’t do none of that, and my dad still trippin’. He didn’t even realize what he’s got: a great son. Let Cole or Damarius switch