No way, Daddy wasn’t icing you out tonight.– Your one and only
I shook my head, smiling.
The diamond choker hit first—bright, heavy, and disrespectfully beautiful. The space station would be able to see me shining, it was just that bright. And the "HALO" flame charm would have the hoes mad. The bracelet and the diamond-crusted infinity band damn near stopped my heart.
“He’s doing too much,” I said quietly, but truthfully, I’d come to expect him to go full throttle about me. I was still giving him premium head because of how he handled Keith.
Omni grinned. “He’s doing what he wants to do. Put it on.”
She helped me clasp it, then stepped back with a nod of approval.
I snapped a picture and posted it with one word:Richtivities #WAGtingz.
I nodded to myself.
“Alright,” I whispered. “Let’s go support my baby.”
The drive wasn’t long. I wasn’t flipping, shaking, or overthinking. Tonight wasn’t about fear, shrinking, crowds, or cameras. Tonight was aboutshowing up for him. I wanted to be his peace in the middle of all that noise, the face he could find every time he looked over his shoulder, the person cheering the loudest for him. The closer he got to retirement, the more validation he needed, and I could give him that. He deserved that. I was privy to the pain he played through now. My man was a trooper, resolute, and dedicated to giving his all. Damn right I was celebrating that.
When we pulled into the players’ entrance, security met us immediately and walked us through a private hallway lined with championship photos and retired jerseys. The bass of the arena rumbled through the walls like a heartbeat.
“He’s warming up on the left side,” someone said. “He’ll see you.”
Omni nudged me. “Go on, sis.”
We stepped out onto the court level, and the sound hit — loud, wild, electric. But the moment he saw me, everything around us blurred out.
“He’s worked so hard for this,” Omni said, noticing where I was looking. “And he’s walking away from it. For a lot of reasons. But you’re one of them.”
“Omni—”
“I’m not saying it to make you feel guilty, sis. I’m saying it because it’s true. I’m thanking you. You make him happy, Halo. Happier than I’ve seen him in years. So, whatever lingering nerves you’re feeling right now, let them go. Because you’re exactly where you’re supposed to be.”
He didn’t hide his temporary halt. He didn’t conceal the slow sweep of his eyes from head to toe. He didn’t hide the way his entire expression changed, like his night just took a turn for the better. He passed the ball without even looking and walked straight toward me, and as soon as his scent hit, a rush surged through me so quickly it almost threw me off balance.
“Angel,” he murmured.
His hand slid to my waist. He kissed me right there like ten cameras weren’t watching.
“You look too good. How imma focus and put up 30?”
“You’d better focus, or I gotta get a new man.”
“How are you feeling?”
“A lot better now that I’m seeing you. How are you?”
“Luckiest man alive. I’ll see you after this win.”
He kissed my lips softly, thumb brushing my jaw, then stepped back.
“Hey, I’m happy to be here for you.”
The lights dropped low, the crowd roared, and he jogged backward toward the bench, still watching me, refusing to turn around.
I let myself breathe once he disappeared into the huddle.
I took my seat, smoothing my skirt, adjusting the fur, trying to settle the heat still thrumming under my skin.
