17 - basketball & bonding

Amina

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It was game day. The boys time to shine. I had stopped hearing from Aaron after the police helped me start the process of getting a restraining order against him.

Dominic had kept his word and walked me to and from every class, as well as insisted on picking me up and dropping me off from work. I was annoyed at first, but it turned out to not be such a bad thing. He wasn't pushy about it, just helpful. It also gave us more time together, which I was secretly enjoying.

All the time I had been spending with Dominic didn't go unnoticed by others. I was constantly getting teased by Kendra and questioned by my cousins about our relationship. I insisted every time that we were just friends because that's exactly what we were.

Friends.

Sure we had a little bit of a history. But overall we were just friends. There was no other way to explain our relationship and I doubt Dominic saw me outside of that.

"Your boyfriends here for you!" Kendra calls out from the living room. I roll my eyes knowing she was talking about Dominic.

I open the front door to see him standing on our patio. "What's up?" I ask in surprise. It was a Saturday afternoon and I was off for the day from work.

"I'm taking you to the game right?" He asks.

I raise a brow in confusion. "I'm going with the girls remember?"

"Oh right. I got so used to the routine I just assumed." He chuckles.

"You can join us though? If you're comfortable with that."

He looks at me with hesitation, "I don't think that'll be a good idea. I'll just see you tomorrow."

"You sure?"

He nods, "Definitely."

"I could see you after the game if you're still up? Actually, we're all going to the diner after the game if you want to meet me there?" I offer, still wanting to spend time with him. Since I had been home all day and it was a weekend, I hadn't seen him since yesterday. I kind of missed him.

Pathetic, I know.

He still looked hesitant, probably at the idea of being around my cousins and the guys. "Just text me whatever you decide. I could always just see you here."

He nods, "Alright I'll let you know."

I smile at him before saying our goodbyes and shutting the door.

I continued to get dressed for the game and the girls and I got ready in time for Isaiah to pick us up. I wore a black ripped jeans, as well as a red school top to show school spirit. It was simple and felt appropriate for the occasion.

When we arrived at the school's basketball arena the game hadn't started yet. We got our seats in the stands as people started to fill the arena. "I wanna go get a hot dog." Isaiah announces as he stands up from his seat.

"Can you get me a soda?" I ask quickly.

"Ooh and a popcorn for me!" Kendra adds.

He raises a brow, "I don't remember saying I was taking orders?" He shoos us off and makes his way to the food stands, making us both pout.

He returned 10 minutes later with both of our requests. "Thank you!" We both say in unison. Making him roll his eyes jokingly.

"Look they're coming out!" Will states as the players run out into the court, making us all cheer. Oliver, Caleb, and Noah all come out with their teammates. My eyes widen as the last person appears on the court.

Aaron.

"What's he doing here?" Kendra asks in surprise.

"Didn't he get kicked off the team?" Will asks.

We all watch in shock as the game begins, Aaron remaining on the bench while the rest of them begin to play. Suddenly I couldn't breathe. Just from the sight of him, I could feel his hands around my throat again.

"I need some air." I state hoarsely as I stand up, not waiting for any replies as I make my way out of the arena.

The crisp November air felt good against my face, but it wasn't enough to make me feel better. I felt lightheaded and nauseated at the same time. My heart was racing, my breathing felt short, the room was spinning, and I could feel my body trembling.

"Amina?" I heard a voice call out.

I didn't look up, trying to focus on my breathing. My back hit the wall of the building and I decided to sit on the ground.

"Are you okay?" The voice asked again as it got closer.

I didn't have any words as I continued to tremble in place. I smelled a familiar cologne as the person brought me into their embrace.

Dominic's.

I buried my face into his chest and automatically began to cry. But not just any cry, I sobbed. Body trembling sobs into his chest as he holds me. We sat on the ground together, as he waited for me to calm down.

When I finally did calm down and returned to my senses, I didn't move. Feeling somewhat embarrassed by what just happened and him seeing me like that. I didn't speak and neither did he as we sat in silence, only the sounds of the game inside the arena could be heard.

I finally raise my head from his embrace, trying to collect myself. I wipe my eyes and stand up from the ground. "Sorry about that." I mumble.

"Why are you apologizing?" He asks as he stands up from the ground to meet me.

"What are you doing here?" I ask trying to divert the conversation away from me.

"I decided it was better that I meet you here rather than the diner. And no, let's not forget about that. Are you okay?"

I sigh, "He's in there. He's back on the team somehow, I don't know. I just saw him and freaked out, no big deal."

"Yeah, your cousin told me."

I look up at him with a puzzled expression, "When?"

"When he came out here to follow you. But I got to you first."

I sigh, I must've really been out of it. I didn't even hear them speaking. "Look I don't want to talk about it. Let's go back in. I'll be fine."

"You sure that's a good idea?"

"Yes, I've already missed about half the game."

"I'm sure they'll understand."

I hesitate for a moment, contemplating my options. I honestly didn't want to go back inside and see Aaron and the sympathetic faces of my friends.

But on the other hand, I didn't want Aaron to win. I didn't want him to have that kind of power over me. I felt so dumb all over again.

"If you wanna go in I'll be there to accompany you. But if you want to go clear your head my car right there." He offers.

I sigh, "Maybe a night drive is needed."

He nods, offering me his hand to take as he leads me to the parking lot. We got into his Corvette and he started the engine. Future began automatically playing from the car's Bluetooth and he reached over to lower the volume.

"I'm really sorry you're missing the game because of me." I say as he pulls out of the school's parking lot.

He shrugs, "There will be others, no big deal."

The windows were rolled down and the cool night hair felt good hitting my face as we proceeded to drive down the barren streets. Everyone around here was probably inside watching the game on TV or watching it at the school.

The car ride was quiet. Normally when we're together we have too much to say, but this time felt different.

I didn't know what to say. He saw me during a very vulnerable moment, again. And not to mention he was the one to console me, again.

I couldn't help but think too deeply about it as I stared out the car window. He was always there, to protect me, make me feel better, comfort me in my time of need. What were we? Are we really just friends? After feeling what it felt like to be comforted in his arms, I felt so safe.

That's how I feel when I'm with him, I feel safe.

But at the same time, this wasn't the time to be thinking about anything like that after the relationship I just got out of. Realistically I needed time to myself. Time to heal.

Dominic and I are just friends.

"We're here."

I snap out of my trance and look at where we were. We were parked outside of the diner, which was pretty empty besides an elderly couple sharing fries in a corner booth.

"What're we doing here?"

"You told me earlier that you were going to the diner after the game. Might as well have your friends meet you here. I'll wait for them with you." I look up at him in surprise, "Only if you want though. I could take you back to the school as well. Or leave you here with your coworkers just let me know." He rambles, making me smile.

"This is fine. I want you to wait with me."

"Okay then." He turns off the car engine before unblocking both doors.

I follow him out of the car and into the diner. Where Halle was on shift tonight. She smiled a cheeky smile at me before welcoming us into the diner.

"I wasn't expecting anyone till at least 9:30 pm. What're you doing here?" Halle asks as she leads us to a table.

"I wasn't feeling it today. So Dominic and I decided to head out early. Halle, you know Dominic right? And Dominic this is Halle, my coworker."

She smirks, "Of course I know Dominic. He's a regular customer and his friend is always hitting on me."

He chuckles, "I apologize for Andre."

"It's okay, he's kind of cute. But don't tell him."

"Oh trust me I won't. He'll never leave you alone if he knows that."

She chuckles, "Can I get you guys started with something?"

"I'll take a lemonade."

"And I'll have a coke."

She smiles, "I'll be right out with those. See ya girl."

I look up at him after she walks away, making him raise his brows at me. "What?"

"How come I've never met Andre? I didn't know you had other friends!"

He laughs, "What?"

"Yes! I never see you bring anyone to the diner when I'm working. And I never see you with anyone at school apart from me. Who's Andre?" I question, feeling as though I had just been two-timed.

"You've met Andre."

"No?"

"He was with me at the back-to-school party. And he was with me when you broke into my apartment and broke my speaker." He recalls.

I furrowed my brows in confusion, "What? That doesn't mean I've met him."

"Why do you want to meet him? You two don't need to meet."

"You've met my friends."

"Hardly, and I don't need to."

I pause for a moment before the realization hits me. "Are you hiding him from me on purpose? That's why you only bring him to the diner when I'm not working? Because every time I work you're alone."

"Amina you sound crazy. Why would I hide him from you?"

"Then let me meet him."

"Why?"

"Why not?" I counter back, just as Halle returns with our drinks.

"One lemonade. And one coke." She says as she places them in front of us.

"Halle, what can you tell me about Andre? And how often does Dominic bring him?"

Dominic chuckles, "Halle, please don't answer that. She's being crazy."

"He's a womanizer but he's kind of cute." She replies pulling out her notepad, "You guys ready to order?"

"Crazy? Those are fighting words, Dominic."

"How are we fighting?" He asks in frustration.

Halle puts her pen away, "I'll give you two a few minutes." Before walking back to the kitchen.

"Look, I just like to keep things separate. That's all. Why does it matter?"

"Because I thought I knew you but I didn't even know you had other friends!"

"So? You know things about me no one else knows." He reminds me.

"Does he know?"

"Of course."

I gasp, "Oh! So he's your best friend." Dominic lets out a sigh as he rests his face in his hands. "You have a best friend, and didn't tell me."

"Why would I need to tell you?" He asks.

"Are you afraid me & him will become besties?" I question.

He groans, "Ami I don't know your friends, you don't know mine. Let's leave it."

"Then let's change that. Get to know them today and I'll meet Andre."

"Why?"

"Because we're friends. Why else?"

He sighs, "Fine, if it's that important to you."

"It is."

"I see that."

I remain silent, satisfied that I had gotten my way in the matter. It wasn't normal for us to constantly only be with each other. Especially if I was trying to make myself believe that we were really just friends. It didn't look like it to anyone else and it didn't feel like it. We needed to add another body to the mix and make things feel less intimate.

Halle came back later to take our orders and we decided to just share some curly fries for the time being. Time passed and eventually, people from the game started to show up in groups, ready to eat. From looking online the team had its first victory of the season, and everyone was in a good mood.

Eventually, Isaiah & Caleb came into the diner with the rest of our friends and I got up to congratulate the boys on their win. "I'm sorry about Aaron. I had no idea they let him back on the team." Caleb said to me as he embraced me in a hug.

I nod, "It's okay I'm fine, really."

He looks me over with concern but nods in understanding. His gaze follows behind to the booth where I was sitting with Dominic.

"What is he doing here?" He asks me quietly as everyone goes to join him in the booth.

"Be nice. He's my friend."

"Ami, I warned you about him already."

"He's been a good friend, just get to know him." I urge my cousin. He sighs before heading over to the booth.

Dominic had gotten up from the booth and looked like he was getting ready to depart. "Where are you going?" I ask as I approach the now crowded booth.

"I told you I'd wait for you till your friends got here."

"And you also said that you would try to make friends with them today, remember?" I respond.

He sighs, "Really? We were serious."

"Dead serious."

"Come on Amina, they don't like me."

"You don't know that. Have you even said hi?"

"No, but-"

"Please, Dominic? For me?" I ask politely.

He visually softens before sighing, "Fine. 20 minutes max."

I smile, muttering a 'thank you', before turning to face the booth. "Guys, you all know Dominic. Dominic, that's Kendra, Bianca, Oliver, Noah, Will, and my cousins Isaiah and Caleb."

Dominic awkwardly approaches the table. "Hello everyone." Getting a few heys in response.

I smile, "You can take a seat here." I motion next to me at the end of the booth. He nods and takes a seat beside me. I was now in between him and Caleb.

Everyone continued having conversations across the table as they snacked and joked. Caleb seemed grumpy and Dominic seemed uncomfortable. "That was a really good game today right?" I ask the both of them.

"Yeah. Good game." Dominic says to Caleb after a moment of silence from both of them.

"Thanks." He mumbles in response.

Isaiah notices the tension between them from across the table and attempts to help out. "Hey Dominic is that your ride out there?" He asks pointing to the Corvette outside.

"Yeah."

"No way! What model?" Asks Noah.

"C8."

"I've been thinking of getting one. An older model though. How's the C8?" Isaiah asks.

"It's good." He replies blankly. Making me hit him in the shin. He winces before replying again, "I mean the older models might be a better investment. The C8 doesn't have that many upgrades compared to its predecessor."

"Really? I heard it..."

I zoned out after that. The boys talked back and forth at the table about cars. It seemed like they were all getting along. Besides buzzkill Caleb who just sat there in silence.

After eating the guys went into the parking lot with Dominic to check out his car. Caleb protested at first but followed after I forced him. "Seems like they're all getting along." Bianca states as she looks out of the window.

"That's so cute that he's making friends with them for you." Kendra says dreamily.

"I just don't want him to be so uncomfortable around them." I shrug.

"Because you plan to bring him around more often?"

"Well, we're friends so yeah I want him to be able to join us."

Kendra chuckles, "Yeah 'friends'."

"We are friends!" I sigh, "Let's head outside."

When we walked up, Isaiah was revving the engine of Dominic's car obnoxiously as the guys cheered. "Don't you think it's about time we called it a night?" Kendra asks as we approach.

"Yeah I am exhausted after that meal, and our big win." Noah says cheekily.

"Thanks for letting us see your car." Isaiah says as he daps up Dominic.

"No problem."

The rest of the guys shake hands with Dominic, all but Caleb as they pile into their cars. "I can take you guys back." Dominic offers to me and the girls. We say our goodbyes and make our way into Dominic's car.

The ride was quiet besides the sound of music from the radio. When we arrived back at the apartment I stayed behind in the car to talk to Dominic after the girls went in.

"Thank you for everything today."

"You don't have to thank me for anything." He responds.

I smile, "I know you hate people messing with your precious car."

He chuckles, "Okay, you do owe for that one."

"And I appreciate your efforts. Now it's time for me to meet Andre." I tease.

He sighs, not responding. There was a brief moment of silence and I was thinking it was time for me to call it a night. But he spoke again.

"I never brought him during your shifts because I just wanted to see you. That's it."

I raised a brow. "You always just see me."

"Yeah, but it's different. Andres a lot, and I just wanted to see you. Without his comments or teasing the whole time."

"Oh."

"Yeah."

"What's there to tease you about?"

He stills momentarily before turning to look out the window. "Forget I said anything."

I chuckle, "You have to tell me. Because now I'm making assumptions in my head that are probably way worse than it really is."

He looks down into his lap, almost in a shy manner. "He knows that I kind of care about you. And he teases me about it. That's all. Don't let it get to your head." He says looking away shyly making me giggle.

"You care about me kind of?" I tease, making him groan.

"Don't start."

"I'm not!" I laugh, before urging him to face me. "I kind of care about you too Dominic."

His eyes met mine and I finally got a good look at him. He was so handsome and honestly really sweet. We were just staring at each other now. His eyes trail down to my lips for a moment before meeting my eyes again. He hasn't moved though. So I attempted to lean in slowly. He did the same before suddenly stopping, and backing away.

"It's getting late. We should head inside." He says looking away and turning off the engine.

I backed away, slightly puzzled. "Um, yeah sure."

I opened my passenger side door, making my way out of the vehicle. He did the same as we made our way up to our building.

"Good night Amina." He said quickly before rushing into his apartment.

"Goodnight I guess." I mumble.

I make my way inside with a frown on my face.

What was that?

———

Just friends eh?

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-AuggiePooh_