Don't hate the player hate the Game

Like Father, Like Son

(Ray POV)

SHXT! The was fast as hell! Ain’t no way TiTi told him that quick. “Dad? W—What are you doing here? You said you wouldn’t be back—”

 “I lied. I wanted to surprise you.” Dad says. He was dressed in regular clothing. “What’s this I hear about you and these fast girls? Haven’t I taught you better?” Dad says.

 “Dad, I—I can explain. I—”

 “And…is that one of them on the phone, right now?”

 “What? Hell no!” I said. “Zonnique is FAR from that.”

“Did you just cuss?” Dad says.

 “Uhm…no.” I said.

 “You okay, Ray?” Domi asks.

 “Hang up the phone. We need to talk.” Dad says, with his father-face on.

 “I’ma hit you up hit later, Domi.” I said.

 “A’ight.” She says.

 We hang up.

 “Sit.” Dad says.

 I sit on my bed. He stands over me. I could literally FEEL myself shaking. Damn, I was scared as ****. My dad never beat me…but…the looks he gave? And his tone of voice? Yeah…that was enough to scare some sense into me.

 “Isaiah…” He says.

 I looked down. Whenever he addressed me as “Isaiah”, I knew I was in trouble. “Dad, I’m sorry. I—I just wanna have fun.” I said, lamely. The hell kinda excuse was that?

 “Listen…you’re seventeen, I know you wanna have fun. But havin’ s3x with these random girls? That’s not fun, Isaiah…that’s ignorant.” Dad says.

 “I know.” I said.

“So…why do it?” He asks.

 I shrug.

“That’s not an answer, Isaiah.”

I picked at my nails, choosing my words carefully. “I—I do it..‘cause…well…I’m real popular. THE most popular guy in school. Girls are always trying to get at me and stuff. And…if I turn that sh—” I stopped. Whoa, I almost cussed. Again. “If I turn them down…that’s like…ruining my rep, you know?” I asked, still not looking at him. I didn’t want to see the disappointment in his eyes.

 He’s quiet…then he sits next to me. “I was seventeen once, Ray.” He says.

 I breathed a silent breath of relief. He called me Ray. He wasn’t as mad.

“I did a lot of crazy things…” He says.

 “Like what?” I asked, looking at him.

 “Wouldn’t you like to know.” Dad says, with a smirk.

 I laughed a little.

“Look, Ray. Don’t give into peer pressure. Okay? It’ll ruin you.” Dad says.

 I nod. We’re quiet.

 “So…who’s Dominique? A girl you like?” Dad says, shoulder bumping me

 “Oh my God…” I laughed, standing up. “We are not talking about her.”

 “Why? You like her too much? She got you sprung, Ray? Huh?” Dad says.

 I was laughing way too hard to answer. He laughed too, standing up.

 “Come here.” He says.

 I walk over to him. He embraced me in a hug, I hug him back. I felt good to be in his arms again.

“Guess what.” Dad says, as we pull apart.

 “What?” I asked.

 “I’m back…for good.” Dad says.

 “You serious?” I asked.

 He nods.

 I smile and hug him again. “You have NO idea how happy I am.”

He hugs me back. “Yeah, I do. ‘Cause I’m just as happy. I’ve missed your freshman through junior. I’m not missing your last year.”

 I smiled.

“You do your homework?” He asks.

 I nod. “Uhm…Zonnique was over…she..uh…she helped me.” I said, rubbing the back of my neck.

 A slow smile spread across his face. I looked down.

 “Yep. She’s definitely got you sprung.” Dad laughs, playfully punching in the shoulder.

 I laughed. “No, she doesn’t.” I said.

 “A’ight. Whatever.” Dad says, heading for the door.

 I checked the clock. Damn…11:30. “You leaving?” I asked.

 Dad turned around. “I’m going to my room…” He says, a confused look on his face. I guess he saw the nervousness in my expression ‘cause he came back over to me. "I’m not leaving, Ray. I’m here now."

 I smiled a little and nodded. “Okay.”

 “Get some sleep. You look terrible.” Dad says. He closes the door, laughing.

 I fell on my bed, laughing a little myself. What he said about Domi had me thinking. Now that I was really getting to know her, she was hella cool. I’m honestly becoming confused about why I ever started bullying her. I picked up my phone, about to call her. My phone starts buzzing, Domi’s name popping up.

 “Yep?” I answered.

 “Aye, I can’t find my headband. Did I leave it there?” She asks.

 I looked around. “Uhm…hold up.” I said, getting up. I searched around my room, finally finding it under my desk. “Yep. I got it.”

 “Thanks. I’ll come get it in the morning. If that’s cool?”

“Yeah. It’s cool.” I said.

 “And…are you okay?” Domi asks.

 “Yeah…why?” I asked, laying back on my bed.

 “You sound…different.” She says.

 “They do say people sound different over the phone. Maybe my voice is more sexier over the phone.” I joke.

 She laughed. “Shut up.”

 I smile. “Don’t tell me what do to.”

 “Whateves, Raquan. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

 “Later.” I said, and hang up. I tossed my phone next to me and start thinking. Domi was a real cool girl. Maybe…in the future…I could see myself…liking her as more than a friend….