I'm home coming off another win. The game ended in overtime against Oklahoma. We knew going into it, it would be a tight win. This game was a match against the shooters.

I'm tired as hell, but I got plans tonight. Jackson's yacht party with the team.

I needed to have a sit down with my folks. So I made my way around to where they were.

"Hey, can I talk you two for a moment." I walked in the study where I found them seated, going over some paperwork.

"Yeah, sure." My dad spoke, looking up at me. My mom remained busy with the paperwork.

I exhaled. "Is there a reason why y'all didn't make it to the game tonight?"

"We didn't feel up to it. We'll make it to the next one." My dad stood up straight.

"It was a big game, overtime, and everything."

"I saw. —What did you want to talk about?" My dad asked, my mom was still looking down at the paperwork.

"I wanted to talk to you and mom about last night."

"Don't you have a party to get to?" My mom finally spoke, glaring at me.

"I'm sorry, for yelling at you. I shouldn't have done that." I paused seeing if she would say something. "I know you sacrificed a lot for me, I will always thank you for that."

"This living situations was your idea, we had our home. The home you grew up in. We sold it to fulfill your dreams. We followed you all the way to the top, we had a plan. The entire family did, we're all tied into this. I handle your public relations. It's my job to make sure you're image is up to par." My mom spoke softly almost in tears.

"I know that, it's just sometimes I want my mother not my PR. My whole life ever since I can remember that's been your job. To keep my image clean. Sometimes I just want to kick back and enjoy my family. Not talk business all the time, or act a certain way."

"We can do that, but that doesn't mean you need to up and change everything." She blinked repeatedly, my dad continued to listen on.

"I can't stay, please understand that momma. I don't mean to hurt your feelings but I need this."

"Ok, do what you need to do. Everything will be ok." My dad spoke up, my mom now again was quiet. She looked away, stood and walked out.

"I'm sorry."

"It's ok son, she'll get over it eventually. She loves you, and wants to still protect you."

"I didn't mean for things to happen like this. When I suggested us living together I didn't think about it long term."

"We all didn't, —you're a grown man. You should have your own space." He nodded.

"I don't want her to be like this about it." I sighed. "—I miss Aunt Angie. I miss all the stuff we used to do as a family back in the day."

"Believe it or not Kenzo your mom misses her too,— she always felt like her sister understood you better than she ever could."

"I don't know why we have this disconnect, mom and I. How do I fix this pattern we have? I want holiday celebrations, family gatherings or just being free around each other."

"Tell her that Zo, she's human. Show her how to love you the way you need her to. She's never had that nurturing mother like your Auntie Angie was to you. They lost your grandma at an early age, your mom was very young."

"Ok." I nodded. I was willing to try anything, because I love my mother and I don't know what I would do without her.

"Who is this girl you went to see last night?" He smiled at me.

I smiled back at him chuckling. "If it's something serious I'll let you know. For now Ima' get ready to go hang out with the team."

"Ok, I'll leave it alone. Jade left your clothes out spread on your bed for tonight. She said she didn't have time to stay and see which one work best. She had a flight to catch. She's assisting on a runway show in New York with a big name designer."

"Get it Jade. That's what I like to here. She's out there hustling, expanding her brand. I'm proud of her."

"Yeah me too, that girl doesn't know how to sit down and neither does your big sis Mai."

"Mai's always on the go. She loves that lifestyle, filling up her passport."

Both of us quieted, thinking. My dad broke the silence. "You do what you need to do Zo. Your mom and I are fine. Gabbi, Mai and Jade are going to be fine as well. You don't owe us anything."

"I'll never stop doing for my family. We're still in this together. It could've been anyone of us in this position and I know all of you would have my back."

"And you don't owe me anything either dad. —I love working with my family, I can trust y'all. I just need some family time in between and little space of my own." I added.

"We can work on that and we can maybe plan something together as a family."

"Ok." I agreed.

"Have fun tonight." He came closer and shook my shoulders.

"Oh I am, we beat Oklahoma. I'm living tonight." I chuckled following him out.

I went upstairs to find my mom, she was in her room. I knocked on the already cracked door, making it open further.

"Come in."

I walked in so I could see her face. "I love you."

"I love you too Zo, always."

"Aight, I'll see you in the morning."

"Ok." She came over from her vanity and hugged me, even though I know she was still upset.

I left out to get myself ready for tonights event. I got a call while I was putting on my shoes. It was Adira, I answered it.

"Hi." She spoke into the phone.

"Hey pretty lady with the long legs."

She laughed. "Congratulations on the win, I'm proud of you. —You were shooting your face off tonight."

I chuckled. "Thank you, you watched?"

"I caught some of it, I missed the ending but I was filled in. They're talking about it here at work."

"It felt like a playoff game. The intensity all throughout felt like it." I smiled hyped.

"That's my prediction, you guys against OKC. —My family make predictions every year and that was my choice."

"That would be a good series. As long as we keep home court advantage." I added.

"I think you guys can take them in six games at the most. Your hardcore defense is what's going to take them out. They have shooters on lock, that's just facts.— You'll have to push harder. Plus match their offense. That's the team that's going to challenge you guys in the worse way. —Playing the best team in the finals is best way to win in my opinion."

I laughed. "I love this about you."

"Sorry, I didn't mean to get all over you with that. I'm sure you already know what to do."

"No don't apologize. I love that. You sound like coach a little bit. After we got back to the locker room he was already talking playoffs against them. About what we should do and whatnot."

"Smart man."

"How's work? Anything crazy happening?"

"I'm at a hospital on a late Friday night, any and everything is bound to happen." She giggled. "It's pretty steady here. My mentor has a surgery scheduled tonight and I get to sit in on that. I'm super excited about it."

"You can have that. I'll just continue dribbling my basketball. I don't do blood."

"That's something you get past, not over. I still get squeamish sometimes, but I'm excited to soak it all in, learning. Then to be able to see the look on the patients face after a successful surgery is the best feeling ever."

"I can hear your excitement."

She giggled.

"Damn, I wish I could talk to you all night, but you have to get back and I'm about to head out. Jackson's having a yacht party. I wish you didn't have to work tonight, I would've invited you."

"Awe, well you have fun. Tonight was a good win. Setting the tone for what's to come. You guys deserve this celebration. So, turn up for me."

I laughed shaking my head. "I'll talk to you later. I'll probably come see you tomorrow."

"Cool, later." She hung up. I smiled gathering up everything to get ready to go. I decided to go with Jades first option. I trust her judgment, she's the stylist. Usually at these events a lot of cameras are flashing, so you have to be on point.

I stepped out of the room in a blue and yellow beachwear, thin button-down shirt. I wore it unbuttoned showing my bare chest, with matching trunks. As for shoes, all black leather Alexander McQueens. I complimented the look with some accessories; my usual diamond chain, new exclusive shades and hat.

I ran upstairs to check on my little sister. She came to the door letting me in after I knocked a few times.

"You look nice." She smiled.

"Thanks, what's going on? I haven't seen you since yesterday morning?"

"Everything's good, are you moving Zo?" She asked concerned, she sat on her bed.

"Yeah, but I'll always be there when you need me. You can always call me. We can hang out and spend time like we normally do."

She sat quietly pulling at the threads on her blanket. "Why?"

"Gabbi eventual you're going to get to a certain age where you'll want your own space."

"Mai and Jade doesn't and neither does mom and dad. It's you who want that." She started to tear up.

"Mai's hardly here. Jade is venturing out doing her own thing. I'm doing the same that's all. It's called growing up. I need privacy sometimes."

"I love you." I added.

"I love you too." She wiped at her eyes.

I went over to hug her. "Everything's going to be fine, trust me."

She hugged me back.

I left her room shortly after and headed out the door. I had Ben to pick me up, along with my guards. They were already together anyway from bringing me home from the game.

We arrived to the drop off in no time. The yacht was already packed. I went over to join in the festivities.

I looked back waving at Ben, Bo and Tyson off.

"Look who made it, America's sweetheart, number fifteen Kenzo Martin." Jackson shouted out coming up to me slapping hands doing our handshake. Everyone whistled and made loud chants.

"This is where it's at huh?" I surveyed the crowd of people.

"Yeah man. Come on and grabbed a drink, get comfortable. We got food, girls and drinks all night. Kick back, enjoy yourself."

"Will do." We dapped each other up then parted ways.

I went to grab me a seat next to some of my teammates. A lady came up to me after I took my seat asking if I wanted something to drink. I declined and grabbed the big bottle off the table. I poured me a glass and sat back enjoying the view.

"I swear, if we would've lost I wasn't coming out here." One of my teammates spoke as a girl came and sat on his lap.

"Yeah right, after you see the pictures posted the next day. You'd be mad salty you didn't." I replied.

"Shit, you're probably right."

Everyone had their phones out on live, I decided to do the same.

"You talk to Marcel, he said he was coming?" I asked my teammate Thomas while pulling out my phone.

"He was here, I don't know if he left or what."

I downed my drink then refilled my cup, and opened my phone to get on live.

"What' up world? How are you living?" I stared at the screen watching the views rise. I had over a hundred thousand viewers instantly and growing. I looked lower reading some of the comments. Most of the people were shocked to see me on.

"I love you too, I mean that for real." I paused reading more comments smiling. "Thank you I appreciate it, this was a big win for us tonight. —What are you doing? I'm chilling on this big ass yacht."

I flipped the camera around showing the viewers around. I continued reading the comments, which was hard to do. They were coming through so fast.

"Why do y'all keep asking me that? —I'll tell you what, —I didn't come here with anybody." I paused again, reading. "Somebody said that's not a yes or a no. They asking if I'm single."

My teammate Thomas spoke, I flipped the camera back around facing me.

"Answer the question, those beautiful ladies out there are trying to shoot their shot. Let em' know Young Zo."

I threw my drink back downing it and held my cup up for Thomas to spot my refill. "Last I checked I was single, but I'll make sure for y'all. I'll get back with you."

"Smooth." He refilled my cup then snatched my phone. "Translation, you have a shot ladies. So put your best foot forward."

I grabbed my phone laughing, continuing to read comments. "Would I ever date a fan?" I went on to answer the question. "Absolutely, but she has to be a true fan. Not the ones who only support me when I'm doing big things. Someone who can ride for me."

Marcel and Bria made their way over towards us coming from inside the yacht. "Y'all cant stop, hunching huh?" I yelled to them.

They flipped me off.

I looked into the camera wiggling my brows. "Marriage goals." I flipped the camera around zooming in on Marcel and his wife Bria.

I laughed to myself before flipping it back on me.

"Aight people it's been real. Ima' have to start making this a thing. This was actually ok. Thank you all for tuning in with ya' boy. I fucks with y'all." I scanned my phone a little closer. I saw Adira had just entered the live video, my face lit up. If I blinked I would've missed it. She sent me a waving hand emoji.

"Hey pretty lady, I see you. Don't work too hard." I laughed at her peeping eyes she sent next. "Let me go ahead and get off of this before I get into trouble. I can hear my mom now. 'Why didn't you clear this with me!' —I'm just playing I love you momma."

"Peace, —bye pretty lady." I ended the video, chuckling thinking about Adira. —If only the world knew.

"Zooooo. "Marcel drug out purposefully. "What it do man?"

"You're sauced." I watched him stumble over trying to get his seat. I looked around moving my hands signaling for everybody to stop recording. They obliged exiting out of their phones. We can't have him on the blogs. Even though we're grown, they'd find some way to flip it.

"What up Bria, how have you been?"

She smiled seated next to Marcel holding him up. "Everything's great, our son Jace asked about you the other day."

"Oh really. I haven't seen little man. When are they coming out here?"

"Probably the next term for school. Since this is looking permanent for us. Cel's hoping to retire out here."

"Los Angeles' not letting the king go. We got em' especially after all the controversy with the trade, he's here to stay. —I'm at a point now if they let him go then I'm out too. We have the perfect formula, especially with the new kid Jackson. It's great for marketing, the three of us. Together we brought the spark back to the city."

"I hear that." She smiled humorously. I was serious, we've finally created the best of the best. The league would be crazy to let this go.

The rest of the night went by smooth, us hanging out. Of course some women approached me, I respectfully declined. I just wanted to chill with my teammates tonight nothing more. After awhile Marcel sobered up. We had a good time chilling in this beautiful scenery filled with beautiful people.

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