First Round Lottery Pick by Franklin White Page B

listened to me, since you walked all the way to Carl Brown IGA together when you were five years old to get them damn cream pies.”
    Tori’s mother stood up and gave us a hug. She was so happy that Tori was still alive. When I asked how Tori was doing, she didn’t tell me more than I already knew. Tori was weak and barely breathing, but the doctors said that she would make it and put her in intensive care, just in case.
    I moved over into the corner with Jalen. “Yo’, we not letting this slide,” I told him.
    â€œOh, hell to the naah. I’m already on it, L . Ain’t no way we letting Tori get played like this.”
    â€œDid you see all those cuts on her?”
    â€œSomebody took a razor to her. She’s in pain.”
    â€œWell, when I find out who did it, they ain’t going to know what pain is.”
    â€œ L , we going to find out, okay, but when we do, you need to step back on it. You don’t need to know what happens or when it happens ’cause it’s going to be on the gruesome tip.”
    I didn’t want to hear what Jalen was saying, but I knew he was only watching out for me and my future, like he’d always done.
    â€œYeah, yeah, okay.”
    Toy decided to interrupt us. “What I tell you,” he said. “My word is bond.”
    â€œWhat you want, Toy?” I asked him.
    â€œI’m your agent, so I don’t need to want a gotdamn thing to come talk to you. You are my responsibility, but at the moment, I have something for you. Here is your copy of your contract. Keep it in a safe place.”
    I snatched it out of his hand and gave it to Jalen to hold for me.
    â€œLook, if I find out you had anything to do with Tori getting hurt, I’m going to—”
    â€œListen, your young ass is starting off on the wrong foot,” Toy said, cutting me off. “You know I don’t get down like that. And please don’t ask me to reveal who told me where you could find her. You know the code in the street, and that’s the code we living by on this one.”
    â€œYeah, I got your code,” I told him.
    â€œMmm-hmm. That’s what I thought,” he snarled. “Now, listen, the overseas draft is little less than two weeks away. I need to sit down and talk to you about some things before that time.”
    I just gave him a blank stare.
    â€œLook, I know we got started off on the wrong foot but, young buck, believe me—You done signed, and your ass need to go pro now. There is no turning back. You got that?”
    I didn’t like it, but Toy was right. My plans to keep college an option were gone. I had signed with an agent and I had to play overseas. I had to do me in a big way now, and I had to play the game. “Yeah, I got it,” I said back.
    Toy looked over at Jalen. “What about you?”
    â€œJust do your job and get out of my face.”
    â€œBut I’m still calling the shots, Toy. You understand that? Any and everything that goes down is my call,” I let him know.
    â€œNo doubt,” Toy said.
    â€œSo, Toy, what brings you over? I didn’t know you were so into things happening in the family.”
    I guess our little meeting in the waiting room was way too much for my mother not to be included.
    â€œReecy, now you know I’m always concerned when your boy needs some support. Besides, didn’t L tell you the good news?”
    My mother looked up at me and Jalen turned his back as if looking in another direction. “What news?”
    â€œHe signed with me today,” Toy said. “I’m your son’s new agent.”

Chapter Fourteen
    Runnin’ Thangs
    I spent as much time as I could in the waiting room hoping Tori would get enough strength to really talk to me. I was only getting about four hours of sleep each night. Because nothing is ever written in stone until the final contract is signed, Toy set up workouts for several other overseas teams