Chapter 11 - Chapter 11: The Universe Is Testing Me

"You're buying all my drinks tonight," Sibisi reminds me as we take a table at the back of a heaving bar on Florida Road.

"Deal." I keep my head down, and Sibisi keeps his cap pulled low, both of us trying to stay under the radar. "Elton, you're buying tonight," I call out to my younger teammate.

Sibisi shakes his head at me with a low chuckle.

"Again?" Elton whines over the live band grinding through Afro-soul covers at the front of the room. "Ja-nee, but I always buy. I'm not even a first-year any more."

"You're still the youngster until we find one we like better."

He takes off towards the bar without another word.

Sibisi's thumbs are going flat out, WhatsApping someone on his phone. "Naledi?" I ask, already knowing.

"Yeah." He lets out a content, happy sigh.

I can't even give my best friend shit for being completely pussy-whipped by his wife. Honestly, I'm just happy I got him out of his hotel room for once. He's my closest friend, but I've never been able to relate to him in only wanting to sleep with one woman for the rest of my life, let alone spend every waking moment thinking about someone the way Sibisi does Naledi.

He hates away trips and loves being home, whereas I have no reason to look forward to home other than his family. I look forward to a different city each night.

Elton comes back quickly, his hands full, the necks of Castle Lite bottles laced between each of his fingers. A woman with a long burgundy weave follows right behind him, her hands full to the brim with shots.

"No," Sibisi quickly interjects, turning to Elton. "No shots. We're playing tomorrow night."