Sitting on the bench while my team was losing was no easy pill to swallow. We were down by fifteen at the start of the third and I had yet to check into the game. I understood coach's position. His players were cold and he didn't need a rusty player on the court. But, I was getting angry. My strengths were shooting and defense which was what we needed right now.

"Back cut Ty!" I yelled. However, it was too late. The pass was made and the player for the other team scored the bucket. The fans were booing the team for their effort. I couldn't say that I blame them. We were getting our asses kicked. I glanced up in the stands spotting Karmen with her father, Christoph. A couple stands up was Randy, Danielle, and Malia. Randy was doing a little coaching of his own while Malia and Danielle were busy on their phones.

I returned my attention to the game and the opponent had scored a three pushing the score up to twenty. Coach called a timeout, shaking his head at the players. The rest of us quickly got up so the starters could sit down. We huddled around the coach as he gave them a pep talk. I kind of spaced out until he called my name.

"Valentine!" He yelled.

I looked at him and he motioned for me to go check in. I immediately threw off my warmup, and went to check in into the game. I was little nervous only because I hope that I wasn't rusty. The crowd cheered as the buzzer went off signaling that timeout was over. I looked up at the jumbo screen and wiped my hands on my jersey. Walking onto the court, I signaled for Ty to come to me.

"Wassup?" He asked.

"I got Derrick." I said, referring the other team's star player. He looked at me like I had lost my mind. "Trust me."

He nodded his head, and the referee gave the ball to Bumpy, our center. He inbound it to Ty as he set up a play. He immediately called a play for me.

"You won't score at all tonight boy." German, the guy who was guarding me, boasted.

I slightly pushed him off me and went to get the ball. Ty passed it to me and I did a staredown with German. He was their best defensive player, but I was a better offensive player. I dribbled past him quickly and dunked emphatically over their center. I yelled as I landed on my feet and the crowd did a roar. As I went back to play defense, I never took my eyes off German. I hated when people didn't keep their word.

My attention went to Derrick, their best player. He called for the ball, but I made it hard for the guy to pass the ball his way. They swung the ball around and tried again. I denied him the ball once more causing him to grow frustrated. He pushed me hard. I fell and the referee called a foul on him. I abruptly got up on my feet and clapped my hands. The energy in the crowd was back because they were doing the same thing.

I scored ten straight points while shutting down their best offensive player. Their lead was cut to ten forcing their coach to call timeout. I waved my hands up at the crowd telling them to get on their feet. As I walked back to the huddle, the coach gave me a dap and drew a couple of plays.

After the timeout, we headed back out to the court. They inbounded the ball and as I guarded Derrick, he maliciously swung his arm and hit me below the belt. I yelled, immediately falling down and he caught the ball, swishing a three pointer. I scowled at the referee as I got up to my feet.

I was pissed the hell off. "You ain't see that shit?! He hit me in my fucking nuts!" I continued to yell at him and he gave me a technical foul. As I walked away, Derrick walked past me to shoot the free throws.

"Don't be a bitch about it." He said under his breath.

I turned around and pushed him. He pushed me back causing me to swing on him, but Ty pulled me back before I could land the punch. "I'll end yo fucking career!"

"Yo, chill!" Tyrese said trying to calm down.

At that point, the referees had threw me out the game. Removing my jersey off my body, I pulled away from the security guards as they tried to escort me out. The building was silent as I walked back to the locker room. I threw the jersey on the floor as I got closer. I must was walking pretty fast because in no time, I was in the room. I kicked the trash can across the room and threw the table. "Fuck!" I screamed.

I just blew our chance of coming back and probably got myself suspended. I watched as the other team got the lead back up to twenty and never allowed it to get less than fifteen. I could hear the team get closer to the door so I just sat at my locker with a towel over my head.

The door swung open, but I didn't move. The team came in and sat down. I heard Coach Ross take a deep sigh before speaking. "Valentine."

I moved the towel from my head, looking at him.

"What the hell is your problem?"

I clenched my jaw and bald my fists up. "He hit me below the belt, Coach! On fucking purpose!" I shook my head. "He knew he couldn't score on me so he had to do something."

He shook his head seemingly not caring about what he did. "I don't care! You don't blow up like that on national television. Or ever! You put your team in a bad spot. It's not about you! You gotta put the team first! I expected better from you." I didn't say anything. I knew he was right. "I have to suspend you for a week. You will be reevaluated for the Maryland game."

He walked out of the locker room to allow us to get dressed. As everyone got dressed, the room was quiet. I rubbed my head and face in frustration. Things didn't go as I had planned they would. It was rough in this new city. "Aye." I spoke up.

Everyone stopped what they were doing and looked at me.

"I'm sorry for my actions. This is not who I came here to be. I want to make the team better. I want a ring. We could've won this game, but I blew it. Just know that it won't happen again." I looked at each and one of them.

They all nodded their head, accepting the apology. "We got your back bro." Bumpy replied. I just nodded my head, getting up and changing clothes. The locker room was clearing out by the minute. As I walked out of the arena, I could only feel some type of way as I watched my teammates embrace their families. I really wished that I had one to support me. I wish I had the traditional mom, dad, sibling or siblings. A pair of gang members took my mother away from me. My dad never loved me.

"Khari!" I heard someone call. I looked up to see Karmen waving to get my attention. I stuck my phone in my pocket, walking towards her. "Hey, good game despite the obvious." She said as she squeezed my shoulder.

"Thanks. I preciate you for coming." Unexpectedly, she wrapped her arms around my waist and hugged. It was so awkward for me. I just politely patted her back hoping she would catch the hint. But, she didn't. "Karmen." I called.

She giggled a little. "Sorry. I just figured you needed one. Rough night tonight." I looked at her noticing that she was dressed up. I'd only seen her in gym wear. She was the type of girl who could do both. She could be girly and tomboyish when she needed to. She was wearing a long sleeved, bodycon dress that showed of her very toned figure with a pair of thigh high boots. She had a nice ass too.

"Khariiiii." She sung. I snapped out of it and returning my eyes to hers. She gave me a smirk to let me know that she knew, but she couldn't have thought that I cared. I was an ass man. I was gonna look regardless. Ya heard me?

Christoph walked up, patting me on the shoulder. "You need to channel your anger at my gym."

I shook my head. "I'm good."

He chuckled, throwing his hands up in defense. "Fine, fine. Sweetheart, you're ready?" He looked at Karmen.

She nodded her head. "Yes daddy. Hey Khari, were you doing anything tomorrow. It's Saturday and I'm sure you don't wanna be in the house all day."

"What you got planned?" I asked. She pulled out her phone, giving it to me. I took it, looking at her weirdly. "Why you giving me your phone?"

"Put your number in silly. My friends are throwing a house party so I need your number to give you the address." I didn't argue. I quickly put in my number and handed the phone back to her. "I'll text you the address and time." She announced as her and Christoph walked away. I took one more quick look at her ass before walking in the other direction.

Once I got in front of the arena, I noticed Randy's car still parked. He was standing outside with his hands in his pockets. As I walked to the car, he spotted me and had a flash of relief in his eyes. "Sure took you long enough." I held my hands out, confused.

"I didn't know you was waiting woe. You ain't text me or nothing." He looked at me like he had forgot all about doing that. He just laughed it off and I shook my head at him, joining in. He motioned for me to get in the running car. I hopped in the backseat, noticing Danielle in the front seat. "Was up D?"

She turned around, smiling. "Hey Khari. Good game tonight. Although, that piece of shit hit you in the balls. I almost ran on the damn court. Then, they had the nerve to throw you out. Stupid."

"Well, thanks for being on my side." I said, laughing.

"Always brodie."

Randy got into the car, put the car in drive and drove off. As we rode while Randy had Chance the Rapper blasting, I wondered where Malia went. I knew she was with them, but she must have driven her own car. At that moment, my phone buzzed in my lap. I dug into my bag, taking out the device. I had a text from the devil herself.

I'm not sure I'm happy with your performance or not. Lol, but you started off good. Temper. 😑

I'm a work in progress 😕

That, you are. Let's not do that again. However, I will see you tomorrow hopefully. This girl is busy. Be safe and stay out of trouble. ☺️

Yes ma'am.

When I looked up from my phone, I realized that we were in a Wendy's drive thru. The line was pretty lengthy so we had to wait a bit. Danielle turned down the music causing Randy to look at her like she had lost her mind. I lightly chuckled at the look. Randy was something serious. "Excuse me? This is my ride. Don't touch a man's radio."

Danielle snapped her head around, flipping her long hair to give him a look. "Please don't show out because Khari is in this car. You always allow Khari's presence get you in trouble."

"Aye. Aye. Ima need my name to stay up outta this." I quipped.

Danielle snapped her fingers and rolled her neck. "Your name is all up in this playa, pimpin. Get ya homeboy before he get slapped." She looked in the mirror at me. "His big ear ass. Short ass." She rambled on as she gave Randy a disgusted look.

"But my dick long, though." He retorted.

I laughed so hard. It had been awhile since I had laughed this hard. Danielle joined me in my laughter. "Boy bye! Chicken nugget as fuck."

I had tears in my eyes now. Randy drove up to place our orders. He mumbled something under his breath. "Yeah gimme a uhhh.. three 4 for 4's!" He looked back at us. "The hell y'all want to drink?"

"Lemonade!" Danielle and I said at the same time.

"Y'all must date now or something." He mumbled again, but I heard him. I chuckled lightly as he gave the drink orders and drove up behind two cars. The car fell quiet for a minute until Danielle opened her big mouth. She placed her hand in his lap and gave him the puppy dog eyes.

"I love your chicken nugget babe."

"Bruh, get the fuck on." He said moving her hand. I tried to hold in my laugh but it was no use. Danielle screamed, hitting the dashboard. He couldn't even fake like he was mad. He knew that it was funny. "I hate y'all. I'm so mad y'all reunited."

"That's my nigga." Danielle said as she held out her hand for a dap. "Ain't that right??"

"True, true whodie." I said giving her dap. "You my lil whodie too bro. Family." I mushed his head.

He drove up to the window to pay for and get the food. He gave us our bags and I started munching down. He sped out of the parking lot and we got on the road. "How's Eric?" I asked.

Eric was Randy's brother. Randy didn't come from no perfect family, but he had both parents. They didn't reside in New Orleans. They were in the better parts of Baton Rouge. Randy was the smart, older brother. He did the right thing and it got him a full ride here to Georgetown. Eric wasn't the same. He was a trouble kid, but he had brains too. I know it's kind of hard for Randy to be away from them.

Randy stuffed some fries in his mouth, and shrugged his shoulders. "Man, I ain't heard from Eric in two months. When I call home, he ain't never there. Mom dukes say he keeping his grades up, though. So I hope that keeps up. I don't wanna get no call saying my brother was killed or in jail."

"I hear you." I nodded. "How's the family?"

"They're good. My dad broke his leg so he not gonna be working for a minute. He still being an asshole though." He looked at Danielle. "Babe, feed me my burger."

Danielle rolled her eyes, but put her food aside to feed him. She reached into his bag, unwrapping the burger and broke off a piece. She gave it to him and he downed it. "But bro, I gotta question."

I chewed on my nuggets before looking at him. "Shoot."

"How come you never told me what happened to your moms?" He glanced in the mirror at me. "I mean you told me she passed, but somehow I gotta feeling it's much deeper than that. You never went into details."

I took a long sip of my Lemonade, trying to think if I wanted to answer this question. Randy was one person I could trust. My mind shifted back to Malia's words on how I didn't have to deal with this alone. I admit that she was right. I had two people who cared about me even when it felt like it was me against the world. I took a deep breath before answering. "She was gunned down while she was making groceries one morning. Broad daylight. However, the cops made no arrests."

"Oh my.. Khari, I'm so sorry to hear that." Danielle spoke up.

"Yeah man.. Me too. I'm sorry you been dealing with this alone. Man, that's a hard pill to swallow." He shook his head. "She was a beautiful person. Damn.." Randy pulled up to my apartment complex and turned off the car. He turned around his seat to look at me. "You gotta be the strongest person I know. I just want you to know that you don't ever gotta deal with shit alone.. I'm always here man. Even if you just need somebody to listen, I'm here."

I nodded my head. "Thanks bro."

"No problem. I can't wait till you make it because you deserve that shit. I love you man. You're my brother." He held his out.

We slapped hands and a smile formed on my face. "I love you too brother."

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