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talk.”
    â€œI’ll remember that, Professor.”
    Denim laughed.
    â€œWe’d better get going. Your dad will be looking for you at the library.”
    He pulled his cell phone out of his pocket and said, “It’s okay. I’ll text him and let him know where we are. I really had a good time today, even though it didn’t start out so well.”
    She bumped her shoulder against his and said, “We got some work done. That’s what is important, but Wednesday I’m going to come down hard on you, so you’d better be ready.”
    â€œI will,” he replied as they walked toward her car.
    As they walked past the guys on the other end of the court, one of them stepped out of the group and yelled out to Denim.
    â€œYo, Denim. Does Dré know you’re kicking with that freshman?”
    She put her hand out in his direction and said, “Mind your business, Tybo. This has nothing to do with you.”
    He ignored Denim and walked closer to get Julius’s attention and started circling him like a lion sizing up his prey. “Yo, freshman! You can’t be hanging out with an upperclassman’s lady like this. Who do you think you are?”
    Denim got between them and said, “Leave him alone, Tybo!”
    Julius moved Denim to the side and said, “It’s okay, Denim. I can take care of myself.” “Hey, guys, check it out. The freshman has some balls!” Tybo yelled.
    Denim grabbed Julius’s arm and tried to pull him toward the parking lot. “Let’s go, Julius. He’s not worth it.”
    He pulled away from her and said, “No! If I back down now, these guys will make my life here hell.”
    â€œWhat the hell is going on?” Dré asked. He seemed to have appeared out of nowhere. He nodded at Julius, then kissed Denim on the lips.
    â€œDré, I’m glad you’re here, to see it for yourself. This freshman is trying to push up on your girl,” Tybo proudly announced.
    â€œThat’s a lie!” Denim yelled in Julius’s defense.
    â€œHold on, babe,” Dré said, interrupting her. “I want to hear what Tybo has to say. Go ahead, Tybo. Tell me how Julius pushed up on my girl?”
    â€œDré!” Denim yelled in disbelief. “I know you’re not about to listen to this idiot.” “Chill, babe,” he answered as he folded his arms. “I got this.”
    Tybo went on to tell Dré how Denim and Julius had been playing around on the court.
    He said they were flirting and touching each other. Once he was finished, Dré turned to Julius and discreetly winked at him. Then he turned back to Tybo and gave him the verdict.
    â€œTybo, it’s cool that you call yourself looking out for me, but you don’t have to. I trust my girl, and what she’s doing with my man, Julius, was strictly business. He’s a cool guy, and I don’t want you or anyone messing with him. Are we clear?”
    Tybo laughed and said, “You didn’t see what I saw.”
    Dré glared at Tybo and said, “Well, you’re wrong, because I’ve been over there, under the trees, watching for the last fifteen minutes and I didn’t see him do anything disrespectful.”
    â€œWhatever, Dré,” Tybo replied as he waved Dré off. “Don’t say I didn’t try to warn you.”
    The trio watched as Tybo rejoined his friends on the court. Dré turned to Julius and said, “I’m glad you stood up to him. Tybo’s a big guy and twice your size. You didn’t back down, and I admire you for it. You might not believe it now, but he’ll respect you standing up to him.”
    â€œI don’t care about gaining his respect. I hate liars,” Julius stated.
    â€œMe too,” Dré replied as he hugged Denim’s waist and kissed her neck. “So did you guys get any work done today?”
    â€œJulius was a little distracted today, but