“You bet not bitch up tonight. Do what you set out to and end this year right.”
“Hell of a game, my boys.”
Uncle Silas was standing there in another custom jersey with both of our numbers on it. He was grinning from ear to ear as he hugged both of us pulling us in tight. He knew what I had going on today and I was sure that additional squeeze was to give me some courage for what I had going on later.
“Thanks, Unc. ‘Preciate you being here as always.”
Silas hit my shoulder playfully but I knew he was still being serious. “Boy, stop acting like there’s anywhere else I’d rather be than right here.”
I nodded because the bond between the two of us had only grown deeper after I did what was necessary. We never talked about what happened on his property or what he’d needed to do in order to get rid of our sperm donor. I was sure the gators near his land were more than well fed that night. The next time I saw Unc he didn’t look any different, which had me wondering just how many bodies that man had under his belt. I was unbothered by what I’d done, a testament that I was fucked up in the head or I’d acted righteously. Both could be true. I’d spoken with Jahmir several times since then and he’d even asked me how I felt about Jill being in jail and Antonio being on the run. I’d lied directly to a man of God when I told him that Antonio was probably off somewhere with a new chick and Jill’s ass was right where she belonged.
Damn, maybe I’m slightly more fucked up than righteous.
“Y’all still coming by for dinner later or we shouldn’t wait up?” ’Twan was trying to keep his voice low but someone else answered before I could.
“Of course we’re coming by!” Aphrodite had walked up on us and I hadn’t even realized she was that close. The tunnel was full of families, as it usually was after a game and I’d lost track of her when I hugged Unc. Thankfully, I hadn’t said anything too crazy.
Trying to keep my nerves down I pulled her to my side and kissed her as I normally would. My heart was racing the entiretime and I was worried that she was going to think something was up. When I looked at her she had the same excited smile she always did when she greeted me in the tunnel, whether or not we’d won. She’d wanted to wear this black outfit to go with the black theme of our jerseys but I asked her to wear the cream sweater dress I’d left in a box for her. I was so glad that she’d done it because she looked incredible in it just like I knew she would.
“We gotta stop by the house first, baby. I left one of Nia’s gifts there.” I tried to look as apologetic as I could but with everyone’s eyes on me who knew what was up, I wondered if I was being too obvious.
Her brows furrowed and I was sure she was running through the list of things we’d gotten Nia to see what could’ve been left behind.
“I don’t remember—”
“It was something I got made for her, baybeeh. I’m sorry I was being absentminded when I packed up the car before I left.”
She nodded, and her easy understanding even as I lied had me feeling some type of way. I was thankful she trusted me to this extent but I was clearly taking advantage of that trust. Even if it was for something for her, I hated how it felt to be deceptive to my girl when we’d built so much of our relationship on honesty. I knew she would understand but I would apologize to her all the same. Hell, I’d told her I’d had nerves about the game and needed her to be there with me. Which wasn’t the truth. I’d almost said to hell with the plan and proposed to her last night but my desire to make her feel special kept me from ruining the plan. And now that the time was here I felt like I was about to fuck it up.
“Okay, well it’s not too far for us to run and get it and still be on time for everything. I know Grams has been cooking allday.” She looked at Rye apologetically and my shoulders finally relaxed.
“Girl, that food will be there whenever y’all show up. Silas will ride with us and the guest bedrooms are already made up in case y’all want to stay over. Bedtimes don’t exist tonight but that still doesn’t mean she won’t conk out early.” Rye caressed Nia’s little leg because of course she’d gone straight for my brother when she’d laid her eyes on him. When he called himself a girl dad he wasn’t lying, cause Annia was a daddy’s girl through and through. I only got attention cause I kinda looked like his ass.
“‘Preciate it but we won’t take too long. ‘Phro is more excited to give Nia her gifts than anybody.” I kissed the side of her head as she pushed me playfully even though I was right. Aphrodite took it as an honor that they had started Nia in calling herTeetee ‘Ditebecause that’s how Annia saw her. After tonight, the name would be true if she said yes.
“He’s not wrong because I am excited to see her face. I’ll understand if y’all have to start without us and if push comes to shove, we can always give her the gifts in the morning.”
“And have her lil’ spoiled butt thinking that Christmas is two days—”
“Don’t limit what my lil’ baybeeh can have, Sunshine. Them muhfuckas in Britain gotBoxing Dayand shit, my daughter can have it too.”
Rye stared at my brother like she was trying to remember all the reasons she agreed to marry his ass. This fool stared right back because he meant every word he said.
Me and ‘Phro were trying so hard not to laugh but in the end it was Silas who broke the tension.
“Y’all get on so we can get to the celebratin’. We’ll be seein’ y’all shortly.”
The drive home was quick and I still felt the same pride as I always did when I pulled up to our place. As a man who was working at a call center a few short years ago, being able to have a home like this, one that was mine that I’d been able to provide for my family, meant the world to me. I was grateful for the help that I’d received to make this happen and to have a home paid off by the time I was twenty-six was a goal I hadn’t ever thought I’d be able to accomplish.
But I had.
Not only that, I shared it with a woman who loved me genuinely and that was an even bigger blessing than our home.
“Why are the lights on at the courts?” Aphrodite sat forward in her seat staring out of the window of my SUV. I knew I had to love her because I’d let her barely driving ass drive it to the hotel last night. Thankfully, the angels watched over my baby and my truck because there weren’t any scratches and the rims weren’t scratched up. I’d already braced myself for her to tell me a curb or some shit had jumped up at her, but she’d done a damn good job. I wasn’t gone tempt fate again though.
I’d pulled up to the attached garage but the lights from the courts could clearly be seen. It was necessary for her to see into the backyard and parking in front of the house would’ve prevented that. My palms were sweaty as I put the car in park and I saw her brows dip the longer she stared at the courts.
“I don’t know. I should’ve had them put a switch closer to the house for us to cut it off from here.”
