“Congratulations! How you feeling about it?”
“I’m excited, but she thought we were about to be sneaking around the city, and I let her know we’re too old for that shit,” I told Knox.
“Maybe she got another nigga she’s hiding somewhere. You sure the baby is yours?”
“That shit ain’t even funny.”
“Just because it’s not funny doesn’t mean it’s not true. Anything is possible. She had a life before you came along a couple months ago.”
“Yeah, but she ain’t have no dick for five years before I came along. That pussy and that baby are mine. Don’t play with me, nigga.”
“Five years? Damn. No wonder she got your ass gone, because you’ve never defended a woman like this. I’m happy for you, Kilo. Mama gon’ be on ten when you tell her.”
“I can’t wait to tell her when they visit in a few weeks. Pops might have a hard time keeping her in Chicago once the baby comes.”
“Hell yeah.”
“Let’s get back to the main reason I called you.”
“You weren’t calling to gloat about getting your girl?”
“No, but it all ties together, so I led with that. Nyeem quit the team yesterday.”
“Nigga! That’s what the fuck you should’ve led with. What the fuck, man?”
“I’m telling you now, so chill.”
I quickly shared what happened from the time Nyeem walked into my office until Ambrose left.
“Ambrose is full of shit if he doesn’t think Nyeem’s talent is far beyond anything we’ve seen in years. If I were Nyeem, I’d mean mug his ass too. Granted, what Ambrose said wasn’t meant for Nyeem to hear, but he got caught talking shit aboutthe boy, so he shouldn’t have expected a warm reception,” Knox said.
“That’s true, but Nyeem’s beef with Ambrose goes far beyond overhearing him talk shit. I’m only telling you this because you’re my brother and I trust you, but don’t repeat this shit to a soul.”
“You know that’s not how I roll. Wassup?”
“Ambrose is Nyeem’s father.”
“Say what now?”
“I don’t have time to tell you the backstory, but Nyeem asked me to meet him at his grandparents’ house. I hope he’s reconsidered leaving the team, but I’ll hit you up on my way home to let you know.”
“Damn. Ambrose being Nyeem’s father was the last thing I expected you to say. Hit me up when you’re done.”
The call ended as I parked behind Nyomi’s car in front of what I assumed was her parents’ home. I’d intentionally driven slowly while on the phone with my brother so I’d have a chance to update him.
It didn’t look as if Nyomi was still inside her car, so I got out and approached the house. Before I could ring the bell, Nyeem opened the screen door.
“Thank you for coming, Coach. Come in,” he greeted.
I stepped inside and followed him to the family room, where everyone waited.
“Mimi, GP, and Uncle Robby, this is Coach Kilo. He’s the new head football coach at BEU. You already know my mom,” Nyeem said.
Nyomi smiled at me but didn’t let her eyes linger in my direction for too long, causing me to smirk. His uncle was the first to speak, approaching me with his hand extended.
“We talked on the phone a couple months ago, but it’s good to meet you in person,” he said.
“It is. I appreciate you taking my call, even though you couldn’t help me out,” I teased.
