Page 67 of A Don & His Doll

"Here's your keys, Ms. Montgomery, the valet driver said, pulling Promise out of her thoughts. Unbeknownst to her, G was still behind her, following her until he knew she was home safe.

"Ayebruh,” he kept his eyes on Promise's taillights. “She good. I got eyes on her now."

"Good lookin' out, G," Monroe said, then disconnected the call.

“Let’s go, TJ !” Promise cheered, blending in with Rae, Truth, and all the other families that were rooting for the basketball team to win.

One thing about Promise was that when her word went out, it didn’t matter how hard life was; she was going to show up for her nephew. It wasn’t the first time, and it wouldn’t be the last instant where she had to compartmentalize her grief to make someone she loved dearly happy.

"Lock 'em up! Come on, defense!" Truth barked, half-standing from the bleachers as if his voice alone could force a turnover. He was fully invested in the game.

Promise felt so blessed to be present with her family, she hadn’t realized how much she’d missed them until she made it to their home, and was showered with pure love. Even My’Dymond was happy to see her. Suddenly, the vibrations against her thigh yanked her attention from the court, alerting her that either someone was trying to call or text her. Reaching into her pocket, she quickly viewed her screen. She quickly hit the button on the side of her phone, sending him straight to voicemail. The timing wasn’t right, and she didn’t want to struggle to hear his voice when they spoke. Instead, she made a mental note to call him later. But to know she was on his mind made her smile.

Her heart still beat for him.

Their connection, still undeniable.

She felt him, and hated to deny his call.

“Come on, TJ!” Rae exclaimed excitedly.

TJ rose above the defender, released the ball, and the buzzer sounded.

Swish.

It was hard, but Promise managed to get her head back in the game just in time to see TJ take the winning shot.

“Ahhhhh! That’s my nephew!” Promise proudly shouted like the proud Auntie she was.

Drake’s Make Them Pay thumped through the gymnasium as TJ and his teammates formed a line on the court, slapped hands with the opposite team, and tried not to gloat. Once done, they disappeared into the locker room to change clothes.

Promise’s phone vibrated against her thigh again, and this time when she looked at the screen, there was a text notification.

Monroe: What’s good, ma? Hit me when you get a chance.

Promise: I’m at TJ ’s game. I’ll call you later.

“Hey sissy, you wanna walk with me to the bathroom? I need to change My’Dymond’s pull-up,” Rae cooed, kissing her daughter’s forehead.

“Yeah, I’ll walk with you,” Promise agreed.

“Hey babe, I’ll be right back,” Rae told Truth before walking away.

“A’ight,” Truth said, without looking up from his phone.

A few minutes later, Rae handed My’Dymond to Promise as she reached into her bag, and grabbed a blanket to lay over the changing station in the ladies’ room.

“Everything good, sis?” Rae asked Promise with concern laced in her expression.

“Yea sissy,” Promise answered. “Why you ask me that?”

“I’m just used to seeing you and Monroe together,” Rae shrugged. “He came by the house last week alone, and now you’re here this week alone. I just wanna make sure you good up there in New York by yourself.”

“I’m fine, and I’m not by myself,” Promise assured.

“Who else do you have up there with you besides Monroe, sis? I mean, I know Monroe is a good man, and he’s good to you… but–”

“But nothing,” Promise cut in. “You have nothing to worry about. It’s no different from when I was in Florida, and you moved back to Texas.”