Venus Vs Mars

Chapter 37

Massy and Jasmine sat next to one another at the kitchen counter. Heather on the other side leaning down against.

"You're like an Olympian!" Jasmine asked looking at Massy.

"Well, not exactly, I haven't been to the Olympics yet. I will in August." Massy said picking up a Oreo from the package.

"That's dope, like, you're going to win a gold medal! You're going to the Olympics!." Jasmine looked at Massy oddly about being so nonchalant about a big deal.

"You're dad is a Olympian, he's got gold medals." Massy said looking confused. 

Jasmine rolled her eyes and huffed. "Yea, but that's my dad." She waved her hand and shrugged her shoulders. "You're like... Young and I can relate to you because... You look like me... You know." Jasmine reached over and grabbed another Oreo. Massy frowned c*****g her head to the side. Realizing that Jasmine wasn't just speaking about her being an Olympian, she speaking about her being a role model and a athlete of color. There was only two black girls on Team USA including her. Massy being Afro-Latin and Creole  descent, she was the face of Team USA and that was a big deal to thirteen year old black girls who played sports like Massy. 

Massy looked up at Heather who raised an eyebrow and nodded her head in agreement. She turned back to Jasmine looking at her for a moment. "Yea, it is pretty dope, huh?" She said nudging her in the arm. 

Jasmine smiled pulling the Oreo apart. "Alex is going to freak out when she see you tomorrow." She said shaking her head then licking the cream filling off the inside of the cookie.

It didn't take long for Odell to get to his mother's house after showering and changing, he'd casually walk in as if he was on his way over there anyway, not because Massy was in town and he had a lot of explaining to do, oh no, that had nothing to do with it at all. He quietly opened and closed the door, familiar laughing coming from his mother's kitchen, he stopped in the living room feet away from turning the corner in to the kitchen, he put a closed fist to his mouth and thought for a moment, what was he thinking about? He didn't know, but anything to prolong walking into the kitchen. 

"Iigh, act like you ain't even know she here." He mumbled to himself. 

He walked out of the living room into the kitchen, his mother being the first to see him, her eyes lit up and that infamous smile that her and Odell both shared popped up. Massy looked up at Heather as she stood up straight, she turned to see Odell walking further into the kitchen. 

"What's up rookie!?" He said looking at Massy but pulling his mother into a hug and kissing her on the cheek. He walked around the counter, leaning down and hugged Jasmine.

"Nothing much, enjoying some down town." Massy said trying to sound as casually as she possibly could. 

"Congratulations." He said walking closer to her, Massy wasn't sure if he was about to hug her or not, she was surprised when he did pull her into a hug. His arms wrapped around her shoulders, he tilted his head into her neck smelling her hair. Massy closed her eyes forgetting where she was for a moment, wrapping her arms around his waist, she breathed in his scent, smelling like he just got out of the shower, Massy couldn't lie to herself, she missed him. 

"Thank you." She finally said after snapping back into reality, and pulling away from him. 

"What's going on handsome?" Heather asked looking at Odell. 

Odell stretched out, raising his arms above his head. "About to go mess wit des dogs." 

"You walking them for me?" 

"Just the lil one." He said, the only reason Odell was even going to deal with the dogs was to get Massy alone and talk to her, Odell knew he waisted valuable time being childish. He looked over at Massy. 

"You wanna go?" He asked looking her up and down as she sat in the chair, not s****l but just taking in her presence. 

Massy looked at Heather, then at Jasmine who like a thirteen year old girl was now over Massy for the moment and was now engulfed in her phone.

"Sure." She said shrugging her shoulders and hopping down from the stool.

Odell pulled his shirt from over his head, Massy watched his back and arm muscles flex as he pulled it up, that tingling feeling in her lower stomach began to start as she bit down on her bottom lip, before he could catch her watching him she turned around acting like she was taking in the view, tucking his shirt in the front of his sweats letting it hang, he bent down and clipped the leash on the dogs collar and stood up. 

Massy still standing with her back turned trying her hardest to not look at a shirtless Odell as the sun slowly set over Louisiana was probably the hardest thing she's ever had to do so far, Odell slightly tapped the back of her calf being cautious of her bruising. 

"Hate to see what the other opponent looks like." He joked, Massy looked down at her legs. 

"Yea, I play a bit rough huh?" Massy said scrunching her face up as she walked along side him looking down at her legs. 

"Long as you get the win." He said in agreement to her roughness. 

It remained quiet for a moment, just listening to outside sounds, Massy looked down at the puppy who strutted in front of Odell just happy to be out, occasionally stumbling over her front paws not paying attention as she playfully nipped at every insect that came into her view, not being bothered by Massy and Odell's awkward silence. 

"Where's Liz?" Massy finally asked, Odell laughed, his lip pulled up into a smirk. 

"Somewhere not getting on my nerves." He said looking straight. 

Massy laughed. "Your dream girl turn out to be a nightmare?" 

Odell was quiet for a moment, he looked down checking on the puppy, still nipping at insects and stumbling. "She wasn't you." He simply said, keeping a calm face and looking forward.

Massy rolled her eyes at his charm. "Nice save." She joked. 

Odell laughed "you like that!? That was good right!" He said already knowing how good it actually was. 

Massy shook her head, walking in silence, she felt Odell throw his arm over her shoulder, he pulled her into him, Massy tensed up, but immediately loosened her body against his, Odell looked down at. 

"I meant it though." He said making sure she knew it wasn't just a cheesy line. 

Instead of saying anything Massy reached her hand up and interlocked her fingers with the one that was thrown over her shoulder.