Page 91 of Full Court Press

My baby was smart, always had been. She had advanced classes since she was in the second grade, and she was already speaking Spanish and some Chinese. So I wasn’t surprised that she knew shit and spoke so maturely.

“I was going to divorce her and marry Anais, but I realized that I don’t want to do that anymore. I love my wife, even though she broke daddy’s heart when she left.”

“Oh. I don’t know if I’m going to like her then.”

I laughed. “Why?”

“Because she hurt you. I don’t like nobody that hurts you.”

“We’re working it out, baby. I won’t force you to like her, but I’m hoping you’ll be open to having a conversation with her so she can explain. I really love her and want this to work, but your comfortability is what matters most.”

“What if I don’t like her?”

“Then I’ll try to figure something out. I want to be with her, so I’m hoping you’ll give her a chance.”

“Is she like that other lady?”

“She’s nothing like her, which is why I want her back in my life—our life.”

“Can I sleep on it?”

I chuckled and kissed her forehead. “Take as much time as you need, baby girl. No rush.”

She took the picture from my hand and laid her head on my chest. “What’s her name?”

“Piper.”

“That’s different and pretty.”

“She’s different and pretty.”

“And you’re corny.”

“Who corny?” I asked, tickling her sides.

She laughed. “Nobody!”

“That’s what I thought. I love you. Get some sleep.”

“Love you too. Good night.”

“Good night, mi corazón.” I kissed her forehead, placed the photo back in the nightstand, and shut off the light.

One problem down. A few more to go.

One Week Later

I sat inside the cigar lounge with Deontae, Isaiah, and Lucas, having a much-needed drink. It had been a week since that shit with Anais, and as expected, I got an email three days later from Orlando to meet with him. It didn’t surprise me that he threatened to trade me if I didn’t go through with the marriage to his daughter, and I told him to do whatever he considered necessary because I wasn’t fucking with his daughter.

I hadn’t heard from him in three days, being as though we just played the Houston Hurricanes yesterday. We’d won three games in the finals. We played the Phoenix Scorpions this Thursday, and when we won this championship, I was taking Piper and my family on a much-needed vacation.

I was almost positive Orlando was waiting until the finals were over before he got rid of me. Oddly, I didn’t give a fuck, but I wasn’t ready to relocate just yet.

“What’s got you in a funk, Ghost?” Tae asked.

I tossed back a shot before I answered. “Orlando trying to trade me,” I confessed.

“What? Why?”