“I was trying to beat everybody else.”
“That’s your problem right there. You’re worried about everybody else when you should be focused on yourself.” I pointed toward the course. “Half of getting better is learning not to rush the process. Everybody wants the result, but nobody wants the work that comes before it. Go through it again, but this time don’t worry about being the fastest… just worry about doing it right.”
He nodded before jogging back to the starting point. The second attempt wasn’t perfect, but it was cleaner. More controlled… more confident. By the time he crossed the finish line, he was smiling.
“You see the difference?” I asked.
He looked back at the course before nodding. “Yeah. It felt easier.”
“Because you stopped fighting yourself. Most people are so busy trying to prove something that they never give themselves a chance to improve.”
The smile on his face widened as he headed back toward the line, and I already knew he’d remember that conversation longer than he’d remember the drill.
I turned around so I could put my eyes on Tink, and I saw her in an area not far from me with a group of kids showing them proper stretches. She looked in her element and that shit was sexy as fuck.
“Damn, nigga. She’s good.” I looked over my shoulder and saw Trey standing behind me with a stupid ass grin on his face.
“Fuck out my business.” I shot back. “Shouldn’t you be over there showing the kids that sorry ass jumper you got?” I smirked.
“Fuck you. Worry about teaching those kids how to get sacked every fucking week,” he fired back.
I was about to get in his ass when a reporter walked up and stuck a mic in my face.
“Titan... Trey. Can I get a few words from the two of you?” He asked.
“Wassup?” I asked.
“So, I saw the two of you out there with the kids. How’d that go?”
Trey went first.
“It went like it always does. These kids look up to us just as we looked up to the ones before us. They just want to know that someone cares and that we believe in them,” he stated.
“That’s real love right there,” he co-signed. “What about you, Titan?”
“I feel the same way Trey does. These kids just need a positive outlet and real people to look up to. If I can be a part of that, then I’ve done my part,” I added.
“You guys are doing an exceptional job with the youth. I want to commend you on that.”
“’Preciate that,” I responded, while Trey nodded.
“So, Titan. I see you had your lady out here as well. She seems to be enjoying the kids as well. Care to let us in on that?”
I laughed because I knew that shit was coming.
“Nah, she’s doing her thing. She’s in a similar field and wanted to help where she could,” I stated.
“And you two seem to be getting serious. Care to elaborate on that?” He smirked.
“Nah, I don’t. Today is about the kids, and that’s where my focus is. My business off the field is just that... my business. Always has been,” I stated for good measure.
“Fair enough,” he added. “Thanks for talking to us today. You gentlemen enjoy the rest of your day.”
He walked off, leaving me and Trey. When he was out of earshot, Trey busted out laughing.
“Nigga, you’re an asshole,” he laughed.
Tatum and Kobe walked up and joined in.
