Coming back with a win after our loss is precisely what we needed. All of us were in the locker room, excited. We addressed the issues from the last two games and had some really good practices. Everybody humbly took responsibility for the careless mistakes, and now here we are.

We were in the locker room being interviewed. While doing so Marcel, me and some of my other teammates were getting our knees and shoulders iced.

"This was a great game. I have to give it to Banks and Clark they stayed in it. Washington came to play, and I'm more than excited to come out with the win." I took a second to catch my breath. "We have to get ready for Phoenix. No long celebrations, gotta' stay focused."

"That's a perfect way to kick off the season after a loss. Where does your inspiration come from, what motivates you to stay positive?" The interviewer Sandy Myers asked.

"Um, I pull from everywhere. My family, then there are people I meet randomly. For example, I met a nice lady. She's an elder. I went into her job late to grab a bite. She had that southern flare. You don't see much anymore. She was so welcoming, almost as if I had just entered her home. —Then that same night I met another lady, very beautiful. She recognized me, and I panicked a little because I was trying my damn-nest not to be seen."

We laughed. "She said the simplest thing to me. She told me, 'you guys will get the next one, focus on the next game and it's all yours.' Those little moments puts things into perspective. She didn't go crazy or make a scene. She just told me that and went back to doing what she was doing."

"Makes me see not only basketball in a new light but life in general. It's so easy to get stressed out and dwell on things. —I needed to hear that at that moment. Focus on the next game, try to be better," I added.

"Right, — and speaking of women. Do you have anyone special in your life? Is Kenzo Martin off the Market? That's the number one question with the fans, and they are dying to know?"

I raised my brows at her before chuckling. "Oh no, I'm so focused. Basketball is my relationship, nothing further. I'm not looking and don't have time for it."

She turned, focusing in on the camera. "There you have it, folks you've heard it here first." She turned back to me. "Thank you so much, Kenzo and again awesome game. This win was for the fans. You did us proud."

"I appreciate and thank you." I shifted a little to reach my hand out to shake hers.

She and the crew left, leaving me to have yet another interview. The next interviewer took a seat in front of me. I continued sitting with my iced knees. That interview went just like the previous.

After my final post-game interview, I had my legs unwrapped. I cleaned myself up before meeting up with some fans for some quick photos.

Shortly after finishing up, I saw my family waiting for me outside in the hall after.

"Hey, mommas baby." She squealed, walking up, hugging me. My dad came up behind her and slapped my hand, pulling me in to embrace him as well.

Two of my three sisters were with them also, Gabriella and Jade. My eldest sister Mai was away in Germany.

"I heard all the screaming. I'm putting both of you back up in the box." I embraced my little sister who's fifteen and my second oldest sister who's two years older than me, twenty- seven.

"Un un, you know I have to be out front courtside to see all that sweaty man meat running back and forth." My sister Jade blurted, licking her lips.

"Eww, I told you about that." I scrunched my face.

"What, your teammates are fine as hell. I'm out here trying to risk it all. The sexiest one had to be married. —But that little rookie Jackson, tell him to get at me. That little young thing is hella' fine." She bit her lip licking it. I was disgusted.

"Why don't you tell them your self, they're right behind you." I pointed in that direction.

She gasped almost breaking her neck, turning around so quick. We laughed at her. "That's what yo' ass get, made you look," I joked. My mom came over and popped me hard on the back of my head.

"Damn."I hissed out without thinking. She popped me again. My dad was having a field a day laughing at us.

"Curse again in front of all and see what happens." She darted her eyes at me.

"Sorry," I mumbled, rubbing the back of my head. "You didn't even get on Jade. She was cursing."

"Hell is in the Bible, that doesn't count," Jade added, sticking her tongue out.

"So is ass but you see she still hit me. —Ma I'm getting a little too old for this hitting stuff. —Imma' get me a girl so she can put you in check." I smirked at her, she motioned to pop me again, but I moved out of the way. "I'm playing ma— stop. Dad come get your girl, man."

"Keep playing with me Zo. You ain't too old to get that ass beat." She bucked at me, making me flinch.

"Alright ma, calm down." I looked at my dad, and little sister was still laughing. I just shook my head.

"Good game, bro." Gabriella, we call Gabbi said, walking up to me after they caught their breath from laughing, shit wasn't even that funny. She's our little gem though. I don't play about her, anything she wants she gets. Luckily she's not a flashy person and lives her somewhat normal life with her friends.

"Thank you, baby girl." I roughed her hair up a little. She scrunched her face giggling.

"What are you guys about to do?" I yawned a little.

"Probably grab something to eat and head to the house. Were you coming home after or you going out with the team? We can pick you up some food." My mom answered.

"I'll probably go home; most of the guys aren't doing anything special. They're going home with their families mostly."

"You all set to go to that award show next week? Did they send you over everything, you're presenting right?" My sister Jade, my stylist asked, pulling out her phone typing on it.

"Yeah, I'm presenting a lifetime award to one of the vets. You have any of the options yet? Anything good come in?" I smoothed my hands down my face. I was exhausted.

She paused, noting something on her phone. "We have a few designs in. I was emailed about a few more, —one I have to get because I don't want to risk it not being here on time. That's the piece I want you to try first. You have a photoshoot on the morning of the show. It's going to be tight with your game and all."

"Let me know, and we'll make it work." I nodded. "I'll see you guys at home. Let me go and finish up here. "

They said their goodbyes and left walking down the long hall. My family and I are very close. When I say close, I mean that literally. We all live together, after my first year in the league I bought a big house. Everyone has their own space. We're not all on top of each other but its still all of us in the same house.

Sometimes I do like us all being together, but most of the time I don't. There's absolutely no privacy.

The thing is I was the one who suggested our living arrangement. I always said I wanted to get a house big enough for all of us. That way we would only have to worry about the living cost for one place. Plus I was fresh in the league.

I didn't anticipate my career taking off the way it did. Making the money I make now; I realized I played it safe. I felt like this lifestyle could go away at any moment. I didn't make too many big purchases. I invested early in a few businesses and only bought a house and cars for everybody.

Since then we've been staying in one house. I want my own private space to come home to.

I do have two other living spaces now but not here in Los Angeles, their more vacation homes that we all use. I know my parents only want to be near me to make sure I don't do anything stupid. They say people don't stay on top sometimes and it's usually because of the people around them.

I don't know how to tell them I want to move.

I've been in the league since I finished college, which was four years ago.

I never wanted my parents or sisters to ever have to work for somebody else. So we created a family business, which is my career. They've all invested their time and dedication to me. My parents worked their asses off to afford me this opportunity. All the gear, traveling and everything else growing up.

I always wanted to be a professional basketball player. It was never another option for me.

My dad's my business manager and partner. My mom does public relations. She even tries to control my social media sometimes. I told her that's where I draw the line. It doesn't stop her from getting on me about what I like and post, though. My oldest sister Mai is my assistant. She does a lot of leg work hence why she's in Germany. My second oldest sister Jade is my stylist, and she's now branching out getting more celebrity clientele.

I went on to do my last interview and told the guys goodnight. All I wanted to do was eat then sleep. I didn't feel like talking business or anything career-related, which is what I'll probably walk into when I get home. Sigh.

****

Just got back from practice, about to eat my prepared breakfast. Well after I drink my post workout protein shake that is. I'm having oatmeal mixed with quinoa, blueberries, flax seed and almond milk. I'll eat a banana and some eggs with it and wash it down with a bottle of water.

"Hey son." My dad walked into the kitchen joining me.

"Hey." I mumbled.

"What's on your mind? You worried about your game? What's bothering you"

"I'm good dad."

"You're at the prime of your career and you're slouched over in the kitchen. What's missing?"

"Just had a long practice, nothing serious." I took a drank from my water bottle. I was now seated at the bar devouring my breakfast.

"Ok, I'll drop it." He tossed his hands in the air then went on to fix himself something. We're not the type of family that does stuff togethe, only the things regarding my career. It's almost like, if it doesn't make money why talk about it.

"I need to go by the restaurant today, we're two weeks away from the soft opening. Were you planning to make an appearance that day or you wanted to wait for the grand opening?"

"I think I'll wait for the grand opening, just to see how everything goes first." I scooped up a spoon full of my oatmeal, he turned on the stove.

"Good morning my two favorite men." My mom pranced in singing.

"Hey." I smiled at her, she came over and hugged me from behind.

"Hello husband." She went over beside my dad watching him spray up a pan to make some eggs.

"Good morning, you sleep ok?" He leaned over and kissed her.

"Yes, —you're all dressed up. Where are you going? —Gabriel why are you making your own breakfast? Joanne is still here right? I know I saw Sandy and Gerald out in the patio. They were changing out the furniture, Lord knows it needed." My mom rambled. She does this a lot, she was referring to the staff here for the house. The chef, butler and pool lady. My baby sister also has a nanny, I don't know why. My mom insisted, but I think it's all a bit excessive.

"Tanya, why so many questions so early? I'm going to the new restaurant after I finish my eggs that I wanted to make. As for Joanne she was going over the dinner menu in the study. Anything else dear?"

"Don't get funky with me." She eyed my dad up and down then brought her attention to me. "Kenzo, I see you made the blogs with your little outburst on camera. You need to watch that, you have a lot of kids looking up to you. They don't need to see you cursing at your teammates. Don't forget about your shoe deal and all of your other endorsements."

"That's old now. I'm sure everybody has forgotten about it."

"You are the most watched man in America right now Zo, you have to be careful I keep telling you that."

"Ma, I don't need to hear about every little thing reported about me in the media.When I'm home I don't care to hear about this. Beside whatever I do before or after an interview is none of their business." I stood up to wash my dishes. Something I always do even though we have a full staff. I'm not really a fan of someone cleaning up after me.

"What's wrong with you? You're a little snippety this morning." She looked me over. My dad glanced at me as well waiting I guess to see if my answer would change.

"I had a long practice, but I mean it. I don't need to hear about everything on the blogs, unless its something worth addressing. I didn't get fined for it, so I'm good. I wasn't happy about us going in to overtime. That was a game we should've won easily. Then after that we loss to Denver. —I'm focused on getting my ring this year."

"Enough said, that's what I like to hear." She patted my back grinning.

"You'll get there son. You deserve it." My dad added as he finished his eggs adding some slice tomatoes to his plate.

I left them to themselves I went upstairs to my baby sisters room. I know she's probably still sleeping.

Just as I suspected, she was. I went ahead and woke her up. If she was in an actual school she would already be at school by now. She's also homeschooled, per my moms request. "Gabbi get up. —Get up Gabbi."

"Leave me alone Zo."

"Nope, get up you can't sleep all day."

"Its still early." She looked at the clock. "It's only eight."

"Yep and you need to get up. Your tutor should be coming soon. Don't have her waiting for you."

"Why did you guys schedule her to come this early? I can't function at this hour. My brain turns on at exactly ten o' clock. Not a minute earlier." She turned back over pulling her pink floral duvet over her head.

"If you don't get up, you can cancel your plans this afternoon.— Get up before I go and get ma." I increased my volume in a warning tone.

"Ok, I'm up!" She raised her voice.

"Watch your tone Gabbi." I spoke calm and turned to walk out of her room. She flip the cover back to get up.

My sister and stylist Jade snuck out last night, I'm not sure why she's sneaking out at twenty-seven years old.

When I got down to the bottom step I heard her walking in the house through the garage door.

"Good morning, nice of you to finally come home." I spooked her making her jump, like she was caught.

"You need to stop scaring me. Where's mom and dad?" She peeked around the corner.

"They're in the kitchen eating.— You know you should really get more creative with sneaking in. I taught you better than that big sis." I snickered.

"I thought I was caught." She pretended to wipe sweat from her forehead. "Anyway move out of the way so I can get up stairs."

"Ok one condition." I held up my finger. "When are you going to bring Kelvin around the family?"

"Never." She tried to get passed me, I blocked her. "They are not meeting anybody, perhaps on my wedding day. Then they'll know it's real."

We looked at each other and laughed. I moved so she could scurry up stairs.

The second oldest of my three sisters Jade is the one I relate to the most. She's a lot like me and wants her own everything too.