Page 74 of Full Court Press

“Well, hello, gorgeous,” I said, standing and kissing her cheek. Robyn stood and did the same before Braelyn took a seat at the table.

Robyn moved here two years after college. We worked at the Michigan Times for three years before deciding to open our own company. Xander had gotten traded to the Detroit Outlaws two years after that, which brought Braelyn here, and I was so excited about it.

We were all still friends, including Gennel, but she lived in DC, was the chief of police, and could only visit us once a year. Jessica was a kept woman, traveling around the world with her man, Beau, an engineer with an obscene amount of money.

“I’m glad you stopped by Brae. I have something to tell you all before we get back to work.”

“I figured you had something on your mind. You’ve been zoning all day,” Robyn noticed.

“Yeah. . .” My voice trailed as I thought about how to tell them about Khalil and me.

“Spill it, chick!” Braelyn exclaimed.

“I saw Khalil last night . . . at the Detroit Vipers charity gala.” Both of their eyebrows rose in surprise.

“So, what happened? Was he surprised to see you?” Braelyn asked.

I shook my head. “He was infuriated to see me. I—I wasn’t exactly honest with you guys when I told you why I left. For the most part, I did leave because of everything that was going on, but when I tried to reach out to him afterward, he ignored me until he disconnected his line. We, um, we’re married.”

They both gasped.

I expected it.

“I know you fucking lying, Piper. Since when?” Robyn asked.

“Since October 14th, 2015.”

“Oh, my God. I-I’m speechless,” Braelyn said, mouth still agape.

Robyn leaned back in her chair. “And you’ve been married this whole time and never told me?”

“Shit, she didn’t tell me either, and we’ve been talking every day since college.”

“Listen, that was a time in my life when I was confused and heartbroken. We fell in love too quickly. Everything was perfect when it was just us. He made me feel so fucking desirable, needed—wanted. But when Nia attacked me, and that shit went down with Sabrina, I didn’t know how to handle it all. So, I left.

“I regret my decision to leave without closure, and I’m deeply sorrowful that I hurt him. He didn’t deserve that. But I didn’t deserve the shit I was going through with his crew of asshole friends, and Sabrina with her crew of whores either. It was just too much for me. Now, he wants me to fight for him.”

“I understand. That’s why I forgave you for leaving me. You and our girls were my only true friends at True. Chicks thought I was weird because of my OCD, but you ladies let me be me without judgment.”

I could see her eyes misting. I stood, walking around the table to sit next to her.

“Aww, it’s okay, bookie. You helped my messy ass become much neater in those two and a half months at True.” I laughed and hugged her.

“Sorry. It’s the hormones.” She giggled and dabbed at her eyes.

“So? What’s the plan, Piper? You gon’ win your man back or let him serve you divorce papers?” Robyn asked with a light smirk.

I sighed. “He’s engaged.”

“Engaged isn’t married.” Braelyn shrugged.

I chuckled. “Not the voice of reason out of the group encouraging me to break up a happy couple.”

“No, I’m encouraging you to fight for your marriage.” She then turned in her seat to fully look at me. “I saw the way he would look at you, Piper. It was the same exact way Xan still looks at me. Like the sun rose and set on you, and with admiration. It was adoringly sickening the way he would stare at you from across the room as if nothing or no one else mattered.

“He loved you, Piper, and I can assure you that love for you hasn’t left. Even after ten years. If he asks you to fight for him, it’s not because he wants you to get on your knees and grovel. It sounds as if he just wants to see if you still love him as much as he loves you.”

Tears prickled my eyes as I looked down at my hands for a moment. Brae didn’t have to tell me what I already knew, but since she put it that way, I gained newfound confidence to fight for my marriage.