Page 101 of Full Court Press

“You gon’ have to tell me how you keep making all this shit happen and who all you know. That halftime performance is still blowing me.”

She giggled. “I know Aaron Newman. We went to SVSU together after I left True. He’s like my male bestie, and when I found out that he was the VP of the Vipers, I stored that information in my bag until I finally needed it. He was able to squeeze me in to do the performance.”

“That’s crazy. So you had ample opportunity to come for me, but you chose to stay away?” I didn’t mean to bring it up, but the shit still stung. Yeah, we were in a good place, but that pain was still there.

I could see her smile fade and face grow solemn. She slowly closed her laptop and gave me those sad-ass eyes. “You said you forgave me.”

“I do, Pipe. But the memories are still there. I’m not trying to make you sad and shit, but you had access to me, even after I changed my number, and you still didn’t reach out. It’s always been a thought after you left if you even loved me for real.”

She sat up and faced me. “I did and still do. I tell you I love you every day that I’m allowed to be in your presence because I know I may not have told you enough or expressed it enough all those years ago. I fucked up. I realize that, but I married you to let you know that I was with you. I know it’s not enough to make you believe me, but I’m here now, and if you need validation every day, then I’m willing to do it, because you need to know how much you mean to me. How if you tell me you don’t want to do this with me anymore, I’ll probably have to go to the insane asylum.”

I looked at her and could tell her ass was serious.

“Come here,” I said, pulling her onto my lap. I kissed her lips and rubbed her fat ass. “I’m sorry. I did say that I forgive you, so I shouldn’t keep making you feel bad about shit that happened a long time ago. I promise not to bring up the past since we’re starting over on a clean slate. Even if ya ass say something that may trigger a memory, I won’t say shit to make you feel bad about it. You hear me?”

She nodded with a soft smile on her face. I opened the nightstand and pulled out the ring box from Tiffany’s. I opened it, and her beautiful eyes sparkled at the fat-ass diamond that sat inside. She squealed and held her hand out to me. Her excitement turned the somber mood back to our happy bubble. I took the ring out of the box and slid it on her finger. She grabbed my face, kissing me all over until her soft lips landed on mine.

Just when I was about to deepen the kiss and get in her guts, the alarm on the front gate sounded, and I knew it was my moms bringing Kiy home.

“Is that PGK?”

“It is.”

“Should I stay in the room?”

“Not for long. This meeting was bound to happen, and since you’re about to become a permanent fixture in our lives, I think it’s time y’all get reacquainted.”

“Oh my God.” She let out a hefty breath. “Okay. I’ll be ready.”

“You’re good, baby. Let me talk to her real quick, and I’ll call you down.”

Piper nodded and slid off my lap as I slipped on my pajama pants and a shirt, then headed down to greet her at the door.

“I got it, Don,” I told him, seeing that he was already en route to the door. He nodded and walked away while I opened the door just as Kiy made her way up the steps.

“Hey, Dad!” she exclaimed, rushing up to me and tossing her arms around my waist.

“Hey, baby girl.”

“Whose car is that?” she asked, looking at Piper’s 2024 AMG Roadster. “I like it!”

Clearly, my daughter had a fascination with cars.

I smiled. “Let’s get inside. I want to talk to you.”

“Mm. I know what that means,” Moms said, walking up with my pops in tow. She planted a kiss on my cheek. “Hey, baby boy.”

“Hey, beautiful.”

“You look . . . refreshed.”

I chuckled. “I’m just happy to finally have time for the beautiful ladies and beautiful young lady in my life.”

“Mmhmm. Once you’re done with my g-baby, you make sure she comes down so we can have a little chat.”

“You got it. What up, Pops?”

He smiled wide. “Can’t call it, champ. Me and your moms just wanted to kick it with you for a bit before I head to Tennessee.”