My nerves were getting the best of me; Adira was coming out to see me play. I was currently on the bench; all the starters were resting. The first quarter was coming to a close.

I got Adira some close seats, not quite floor. My sisters already had those. Maybe it was for the best. They wouldn't be near each other.

My mom and dad were up in the VIP box. Next time I'll have more time to get Adira tickets court-side. I'm looking forward to her coming out today.

"They're starting already with that no call bull shit. I got something for their ass, though." Marcel yelled to Jackson and me seated on the bench with towels covering our mouths.

You have to watch for cameras they'll zoom in and try to get you saying something crazy.

I covered my towel more on my mouth and leaned into him and Jackson. "Next time press in on him. —Their rookie is used to playing man to man, so let's double up."

"Yeah and kick it back out off the screen, I'll get open. I'll get it back to the hole. You just be ready. Jace ass can't guard me. He never could. He's always leaving space." Jackson added with his mouth covered as well.

"Aye y'all zone out all night. Keep this pace for right now, —we're doing good." I told the other players on the bench. Letting them know we're playing zone defense all night and keeping a steady pace. So we won't burn out before the half.

The first quarter was now over, and we're up by ten. We can't sleep on a team like Atlanta because they always bring it in the second half. We need to get a good lead and keep it.

The starters, including myself, entered back in the game.

Atlanta's point guard Donte ran up to guard me while putting his hands in my face. "Zo, throw it up, pretty boy. You're scared —pass it. I ain't letting shit get by me." He yelled in my face. I kept quiet dribbling the ball. I don't feed into the trash-talking usually. The guys in the league can get out of hand with it. I could say something to hurt his feelings, but I won't.

I pushed off and passed the ball to our small forward, better known as my main man Jackson. He got the ball to our shooting guard for the easy layup. Atlanta got it back down the court to answer back with a quick three.

That's how it was all second quarter.

I glanced over to where Adira was supposed to be seated. The game had picked up speed. I didn't have a chance to look. I took a glance over in that area and spotted her. I only got a quick look at her when I was bringing the ball back down the court.

She made it.

The buzzer went off. It was now half time. I looked over in her direction again. She smiled at me. I did the same running off quickly to the locker room.

The rest of the night, we dominated the game and won. My team's on fire, and we're not letting anything stop us. I just finished my post-game interviews and had a little greet with some of the fans.

I found my family out waiting by the lockers. While walking to them, I realized I needed to send Adira a text. I pulled my phone out and did just that.

I'm glad you made it out tonight. My jersey looked good on you. Where are you?"

I tucked my phone in my pocket as my mom spoke. "They weren't ready for you tonight Zo. Y'all did it again."

"We're trying, it's taking a toll on my body, but I'm excited," I replied a little exhausted.

"Right like who knew winning could be so exhausting." My dad chuckled.

I shook my head at him laughing. My phone was vibrating in my pocket. I quickly retrieved it knowing it was probably her.

: Thanks and thank you for inviting me out, we had a blast. I'm actually in the car now, Charlotte's driving us home.

Cool, I'm finishing up. I'm going home real quick then maybe we can hit up a bar to grab a quick bite. I'll have Ben pick you up.

: Ok, sounds good. See you there.

"You ready Zo?" My oldest sister Mai asked. I put my phone back in my pocket, nodding my head. She has a flight out to Chicago in the morning, so I know she's ready to turn it in.

"I'm going to the house to grab something quick and then head out for a little while."

My mom instantly shot up a look at me. "Where are you going? I talk to Marcel and Jackson, and they said they're going home. You need to get ready to leave tomorrow for Houston, get some rest."

"I'm good, and I'll be fine."

"Where are you going?" She repeated.

"I'm going out. I'm grown ma. Please don't start this." I irritatedly stated.

She glared at me, giving that who do you think you're talking to look.

"Uh oh." My sister Jade mumbled.

My dad stood quietly beside my mom, waiting to see what happened next.

"Ma, seriously you have to chill a little bit. If I want to go out after my game as a grown man, I shouldn't have to go through you to do so."

"What's her name?" She quickly asked.

"Huh?" I raised my brows, pretending I didn't hear her.

"Don't play with me. What's her name?"

"I'm not seeing anyone. I'm meeting a friend, that's it."

"You're using protection? —Go ahead and get yourself caught up, Kenzo Martin. You better be glad I'm here to step in for when you do dumb stuff." She mushed my head. I leaned back out of the way.

"We're just hanging out. I'll see you guys at the house." I kissed her cheek, stopping her from speaking further, then walked off.

I went home, switched out my clothes real quick. I didn't want to keep the same thing on I was interviewed in. I threw on some relaxed fit jeans paired with a plain white T-shirt. I added my Rolex, diamond chain, and blazer royal triple white kicks.

I called Ben to have him pick me up first then get Adira. He pulled up ten minutes later. We made our way over.

We pulled up to her building in the usual all-black Escalade. I texted her.

Pretty lady, I'm outside.

: on my way out now

She came out a few seconds later. I guess she was already in the lobby. I got out and hurried over to get the door for her. The parking lot was filled with cars but luckily no one in sight.

"Hi." She smiled at me as she stepped into the vehicle.

"Hey." I smiled back at her before shutting the door and making my way over to my side. Damn, she looks good.

"Hi Benjamin, how's it going?" She fastened her seatbelt.

"Benjamin? You let her call you that, Ben?" I questioned amused.

He tilted his head from side to side, shrugging his shoulders as he pulled out of the parking lot. "Yes, Di calls me by my government. Good to see you again." He smiled at her.

"Di?" I exaggerated, looking over at Adira seated next to me. I don't even have a nickname for her yet. They both laughed.

"I'm jealous," I added, trying to hide my smile.

"Awe poor baby, you'll live." She pressed her hand on my knee playfully. I quickly placed my hand on top of hers and caressed it. Both of us stared at the gesture but didn't move.

The bar I chose wasn't too far from her place.

She, once again looked amazing with her long thin halter strapped, flowing dress. She paired the off white and multi-colored dress with some silver strapped sandals. She was showing off her pretty dark polished toes. Her hair was up on top of her head, displaying her beautiful, flawless face.

"What kind of scent is that? It smells familiar, and every time I'm around you, I smell it?" I asked her curiously. I finally remembered my aunt had this scent in her house, and I always gravitated to it. Unfortunately, she passed away years ago.

"It's my one hundred percent pure calming oil."

"You're into essential oils?" I asked, and she nodded. "My aunt, who I called my second mother growing up, used it all the time. I spent so much time at her house, every holiday, birthday, everything was spent at her house."

"You said was?" She wondered.

"She passed away my freshman year of college."

"I'm sorry to hear that, sounds like she meant a lot to you and your family."

"She did." I nodded; she looked into my eyes, studying the slight twinge of sadness. I miss her. We had a connection, one my mom and I never had. For some reason, it was always an emotional disconnect with my mom.

For instance, if I told my aunt, I was interested in getting serious with someone she would be happy for me. She'd want to know more about it.

My mother, on the other hand, would dismiss the idea and start yelling about how it would affect my career. She wouldn't be interested in getting to know her.

"You look nice." She stated, smiling at me.

"Thank you, and you look absolutely stunning as usual." I finally turned her hand over that was still on my knee and interlocked our fingers.

She glanced down at the gesture. I was hoping I wasn't too forward because I like her. I brought her hand up to my lips and kissed the back of it.

She giggled, pulling her hand away.

She was laughing, but I'm letting it flow, whatever happens, happens.

"Ima' sit on my hands for the rest of the night." She placed them under her, making us both laughed.

We made it to the bar in good time. I went in first with Ben escorting Adira in behind me. Luckily it's almost empty here.

I walked in, grabbing her hand, heading to the back of the bar. Ben left after we were seated.

We weren't going to be long, so he waited outside for us. I told him I could've driven but between him, and my two guards Tyson and Bo they weren't having it.

The same with my dad, he was like why don't I bring her there to the house. He knew mom wouldn't be ok with that and would have something to say.

"You eat burgers?" I asked her.

"Yes, but I think I'll try the chicken sandwich instead. They have this special sauce that's so yummy. They're served with thinly sliced sweet potato chips"

"Hmm, I think I'll try that too. I'll be right back. —Do you want a cosmo, mojito, a shot or something? Neither one of us is driving."

"No, I'm ok. I'll take the fruit punch and some water." She said while looking down at her phone she held. She placed it in her purse. I noticed it lit up.

"Ok." I walked over to the guy at the bar and placed our order. He recognized me and wanted a picture with me. I agreed.

He was the owner. He said he wanted to post it for his website. He thought it would bring more business his way since his competition is across the street. I was cool with it.

Shortly after I made my way back over to Adira.

"You ok?" I asked her as I sat down across from her.

"Yeah, I'm ok." She smiled, reassuring me.

"Cool.— So when do you think it'll be ok for me to start following you on social media? I'm not following anyone."

"Um no. That would have your fans on alert, females, in particular, threatening my life. Bashing me, trying to figure out why I'm so special. Wondering how I was able to get the Kenzo Lawrence Martin to follow little ol' me."

"It wouldn't even be that bad." I shook my head, chuckling.

"It would be breaking news." We laughed, but I was serious. When I get back in town, I want to continue seeing her. Only a matter of time before people start suspecting something anyway.

Our food came out looking all sloppy and delicious. I know I'm going to pay for this later. At least I have a hard AM practice to work this off.

The spicy chicken sandwich was filled with sauce and lettuce, oozing. She said a prayer then we dug in.

"This is heaven." She took a big bite into one half of her sandwich.

"It really is." I agreed, taking another bite into mine.

We devoured our sandwiches to the last bite. We made light conversation in between.

She started to loosen up more around me. We played with each other's fingers on the table and laughed for the rest of the evening.

Finishing up, we gathered our things and got ready to leave. I went over and paid the bill, leaving a nice tip.

"Thank you, Mr. Martin." The owner said as I handed it to him.

"No problem, that was good. You can call me Kenzo or Zo. I'll post about this. Do you have a business page so that I can tag it?"

"Yes, we do." He nodded, excited.

I took a selfie with him, so I could post it on my page and tag him in it. I tried getting Adira to join in but she wouldn't.

After saying goodbye to the owner, I grabbed Adiras hand, pulling her close to me heading for the door. Ben got out when he saw us walking up. We quickly got in. No paparazzi tonight or people out with their phones. A nice smooth evening.

Settling into the Escalade, I smiled hard at Ben. He shared the same sentiment, knowing how rare this was. I can now say I'm open to pursuing her. The chemistry between us was great so far.

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