"Hey, ma," I spoke into my phone after finally picking it up. I just got out of the shower.

"Good morning, my son. How are you feeling today?" She asked sarcastically, referring to last night's aftermath.

"I'm fine. What time were you bringing Ju? Mai should be getting in shortly to get everything together for the photoshoot" I placed the phone on speaker so I could free my hands.

"Around ten. She's still sleeping I'm about to wake her for breakfast in a little while. She was asking about you last night."

"What she say?" The last thing I wanted was for my baby girl to see daddy and mommy arguing. But I was at my breaking point.

After I stormed out, Ju and I waited in the Escalade for everyone else to come out. My mom took baby girl with her, and I rode with Jade. She dropped me off home.

Diri didn't come home. She stayed with Char and Jr.

"She kept asking why were you yelling? And were you upset with mommy?" She said all this in a manner of trying to see where my headspace was at now.

I admit I shouldn't have spoken to my wife like that, but I meant most of what I said. I especially shouldn't have said it in front of the family.

"I'll talk to her later." I heard the front door opening downstairs. Diri must be home. "Let me call you back ma, Di just got in."

"Ok, love you."

"I love you too." The call ended, and I threw on some sweat pants. I heard the front door shut and keys jingling.

While cleaning behind myself and exiting the bathroom. I heard footsteps coming up the staircase. I took a seat at the foot of the bed.

She entered the room, glanced at me while walking to the closet. She had on the same thing from yesterday. From the faint bags under eyes, I could tell she didn't sleep.

After rummaging through her clothes and gathering everything she needed, she came back out. I decided to speak. "Hey."

She continued moving along as if I hadn't said a thing. I stood up and followed her to our bathroom.

"I'm sorry for the way I said what I said yesterday. I could've sat you down and talked about things going on between us. That was stupid. I reacted without thinking. I saw you on your phone and got pissed. Then I couldn't get my shit together on the court." I leaned against the door, watching her continue to move around.

She didn't speak.

"Lately, I've felt like you don't make any effort for us or as a family. It's all about work with you. I understand you're trying to prove things to yourself, but lately, I haven't seen you." Still got nothing from her. She placed a pack of shavers on the counter. Then turned on the water for a bath.

"Anything you want to say to me?" I walked in closer, standing behind her. "Baby, I'm sorry."

She went over to the sink and pulled out her toothbrush before she finally spoke. "Your communication was lacking out there. If you can't find your rhythm to put up shots, then do better with the ball movement. And you acted out like a child. Suck it up and utilize your teammates."

"I didn't know you cared," I stated, not wanting to talk about the game but about us.

"Apparently, there's a lot of things you don't know." She roughly turned on the water to wet her toothbrush.

"What does that mean?" I backed up, giving her space.

She sighed, "I need to hurry and get ready for work."

"I'll give you your space. I know you're upset. But we need to talk. I'll make something for you to take with you." I watched her put the paste on her toothbrush and turn it on.

She didn't say anything. The water continued to fill the tub as she brushed her teeth.

With that, I gave her some space, walking out, closing the door behind.

I was out of line yesterday, but I meant it. All except calling Diri wack. Which she is not. I don't know what I was thinking with that one.

All the, I'm sorry I can't make it to this or that was beginning to sound like a broken record. It's one thing to push me to the back of everything else but not our daughter. That's where I draw the line.

Stepping foot in the kitchen, I made my way over to the sink to wash my hands. I was thinking of a quick breakfast wrap to take with her and one of my go to power smoothies.

After finishing the loaded peppers, mushrooms, potatoes, and egg wrap, I foiled it to keep the warmth. Then went on to make us both green drinks.

Something to give her a boost.

I heard my phone going off in my pocket. I turned the blender off to answer it. It was Marcell. "Hello."

"Coach is calling a meeting to go over film." He got straight to the point.

"What time? I got my daughter today." I said that even though I knew it was a mandatory meeting.

"In an hour."

"Aight." I barely got out before hearing the line disconnect. I guess I have an apology tour to go on.

Pouring our shakes into some to-go bottles, I heard my wife coming down the stairs.

"I have a mandatory meeting with the team in an hour." I felt the need to say because communication is vital.

"Hmm." She walked over to where she left her phone and purse, all dressed for work in her white coat.

"I'll go there for that then pick Ju up from my parents for her photoshoot." I brought her wrap and shake to her.

"Well, I'm glad you have your priorities straight." She took the breakfast from me with a tight smile. "Thank you."

"How long are you going to be upset with me?" I placed my hands on her waist. "I'm sorry, baby."

She sighed, trying to avoid eye contact.

"I know you want to kiss me." I smiled a little, hoping she would break.

She didn't. She only stood in place, clenching her jaw. "I don't want to be late." She stepped one foot in front of the other and continued passed me and out the door.

My wife's mad at me, my team is pissed. I even have to talk to my daughter about my behavior towards her mother yesterday. My apology tour is booked.

I downed my shake and cleaned the cup and the mess from breakfast. Then rushed upstairs to get ready for the meeting. I made sure I had my gym bag just in case this meeting turns into practice.

Settled into one of the cars with a seat for Ju, so I didn't have to change anything. I made a call to my mom. I told her I would pick Ju up instead of her dropping her off.

It was going on eight o clock. I had a few hours before noon.

****

"Your communication was poor. If you can't find your rhythm to get good shots, then do better with ball movements. You let that team get under your skin. You're better than this, Martin." My coach said those ever so familiar words I had already heard from my wife this morning.

We had a team meeting, and now he sat Marcell, Jackson, and I down. Allowing everyone else to leave.

"I'm not going to keep you long. I know you have other obligations. But we need this handled before tomorrow's game." Coach spoke loud amongst the three of us. He left the room.

It was going on ten o'clock. I guess I better get started. "Look, there's no excuse for my actions yesterday. You guys are my brothers. I'm sorry. I've been letting personal stuff interfere with my game. It won't happen again."

"I'm over it. But let me be clear. I agreed to come over to this team. I could've retired in Toronto." Marcell then pointed to Jackson. "And this one right here was drafted to this team. I understand you think you put this shit together on your own, but you didn't. I'm in my retirement years. I took a pay cut to keep the trio together."

"Right, and for you to act like nobody else was out there on that court last night was fucked up," Jackson added in.

"We're a team. Last night was on me. When I found out, we were able to play together. I was elated. There's wasn't a doubt in my mind of what we could accomplish together. Let's get back to winning." I stood up to dap my brothers.

"We win together. We lose together that loss was on all of us. Although you played a major part." Marcell laughed, standing up to embrace me.

"I second that." Jackson agreed, laughing as well. The trio hugged it out like bros do.

"What's going on at home, Zo? Talk to us." Cell asked, taking back his seat. Jackson and I followed suit.

"I blew up on Diri last night after my little blowup with you." I shook my head, thinking about how much I regret that moment.

"Can I ask you something?" He raised his brows. I nodded for him to proceed. "What was that during pregame? Courtside group of ladies. I saw your girl looking at you."

Jackson sat back in his chair, waiting to catch this watered-down tea.

"Wait. You think I would entertain any female other than my wife? And with my wife there? —They complimented my daughter's hair. I thanked them. One of the girls then said damn you're such a great father. I realized she was flirting just by the look she had in her eyes and the tone of her voice. I laughed, said thank you then walked off. That was it." I stated in a way to clear my name.

"Adira's usually don't let these thirsty chicks phase her. Why now?" Jackson asked in disbelief. "She don't usually get in to all that like these other wives do."

"She know I would never cheat on her." I shook my head with confidence. Our bond is like no other I wouldn't just throw that away.

"She seemed pissed yesterday. Maybe you should ask her about it. Take it from a man that's been there. You might have your reasons for being pissed off with how things have come to be in your marriage, but she does too." Marcell expressed. His advice is something I don't take for granted. After all, it's helped me over the years.

I could've easily walked away from Adira when I found out she was pregnant, but I didn't. His advice then was like fuel to my empty tank. "You're right. I've been mad at her about not being present, but I haven't even bothered to ask her how's she's doing. My thinking was one-sided. She's not somebody who's out here being a bad wife or a bad mother. She's working to build more to our empire."

"Yep, and you and Julia are probably not the only ones she's not present for all the time. When's the last time your wife did something for herself? Go to the salon, get a massage? Hell, take a nap even?" Marcell had me thinking.

"Don't let your wife burn out." He added. "Also, be glad you have family to help raise your kids. They love Julia, and them having her from time to time doesn't mean you or her are bad parents."

I guess they did hear me scold my wife yesterday.

"I'll talk to her. But Diri has to ease up on saying yes to every single thing at work. I know she's worried about keeping up with the rest of the residence, but none of them have kids or a spouse." I stood up to get my gym bag.

"You'll be surprised how far a little communication will get you. Let me get back to Bria before she starts calling." He and Jackson got up to get their stuff.

"Tell Jade I said what's up. She was looking all good yesterday." Jackson thought he could throw-in while rubbing his hands together.

"I ain't telling my sister shit. But I'll make sure I relay the message to Kelvin, her fiancé." I smirked.

He sucked his teeth. "Man, she's still with that oversized, redhead having, can't catch a football for shit, motherfucker."

"Quit hating. It's not cute." I laughed, bumping his shoulder.

"That ship has sailed big fella, move on." Marcell patted his back before opening the door to walk out.

****

"Dadddddddyyyyy!" My baby girl ran into my arms. I had just made it in my parents' house.

"I missed you." I squeezed her tight, leaving kisses all over, making her laugh. "Alright, come on, we gotta get going. It's eleven-thirty. We have thirty minutes to get there. Go get your bag."

"Hey, mama. Thank you for keeping her." I hugged her. "Dad home?"

"You don't have to thank me. That's my grandbaby. —You just missed your father. He had to get over to the restaurant on Slauson Ave." She continued embracing me, knowing I needed it. "How's Diri?"

"Pissed." I pulled away to see her expression. "I'm working on it."

She turned to make sure Julia wasn't around. She was about to speak, but I stopped her. "I know what I have to do. I got this."

She narrowed her eyes at me. "Ok. While you're doing that, make sure you start blocking some of your commenters on your social media. They are highly disrespectful to my daughter n law. Don't make me get on there and start cursing their asses out. One by one. I got time, tuh."

"I can't control what people say. But I'll do better. We usually don't let any of that get to us." I sighed a little because I realized the disconnection between my wife and I. How did we get here?

She made a hmph sound. "It's getting to your wife. Now fix it."

All I could do was nod my head. Julia ran back to the front with her bag in her hand. "I'm ready."

I said goodbye to my mom and got Ju in the car, and we were off. The venue was somewhat across town, so I needed to push it.

We were listening to her kid pop Jamz. Halfway through the trip, I lowered the volume. "Daddy's very sorry about yelling yesterday."

"Are you upset with mommy?" She fidgeted in her seat, looking at me through the rearview mirror.

"No, I'm not. I was wrong. You forgive me?" I peeked back at her sweet face smiling at me.

"Of course, daddy."

"Thank you, baby girl." I smiled while turning the music back up so we could get back into our jam session.

Pulling into the building, I quickly parked and got us out. I made it with two minutes to spare.

This was a shoot to promote a new designer up and coming. A children's wear line for your fashionable everyday kids.

Hair and makeup was already here and stationed. Jade was here to style her, to make sure everything fit and coordinate. My big sister Mai came walking in behind us. "Is that my one and only niece walking in front of me?"

"Yes." Ju giggles turning around to embrace her aunty.

"Hi, big head." She bumped me. Then took Julia over to get started. I pulled my phone out to capture everything for Diri.

I know she's stressed at work because she couldn't be here.

Watching the transformation of my little princess happen got emotional. She's no longer a baby. She'll always be my first baby.

"Not too much makeup," I told the staff.

"Dadddyyy," Ju whined, not wanting me to make an input. Everybody laughed a little.

"Don't dadddyyy me. You heard what I said." I made sure I got that part on camera for memories.

Ju made her way over to the set. She immediately started posing, a natural. I guess Mai has a knack for this. She prepared Ju for this and already have her booked for a runway show in a few weeks. Baby girl loves every bit of it.

As the shoot was going on, I made sure to snap a few myself to send to Diri.

: I wanted to make sure you got these while the shoot was going on. I love you, baby.

"That's it Ju, yeaaaahhh!" I hyped her up as she got more into it. "Watch out Naomi Campbell. Julia Ada Martin is in the building."

Everyone clapped and cheered her on. They were just as surprised as I was with the turnout. My kid was killing it.

"Zo, I think we got something on our hands. Look at my niece." Jade jumped up and down a little beside Mai doing the same.

"I'm saying! She look like a life-size doll. Look at her hand under her chin." I laughed proudly.

None of our excitement disrupted Ju at all. She was in a zone catching her angles.

Now that I got this done. I needed to focus on my wife's needs. The more I think about, the more I realize she hasn't been taking care of herself. She didn't have time.

For one, she never uses razors. She always waxed everything. Two, she's exhausted and stretched too thin. Three, she actually thought about me cheating. Something I will never do and will never put myself in that position.

While they're changing looks, I decided to take this time to clean up my social media, once and for all.

______________________

💜💚💜💚

Have a blessed Sunday!