Page 64 of Full Court Press

“You’re right. I’m so sorry. I swear I am. Can-can I just say goodbye to Kiyanne? I promise I’m going to get better for her.”

“Hell no,” I protested.

“Lilo,” Nana called out to me.

“I’m standing on that, Nana. She can’t see her until she shows me some changes. I’m filing for full custody and getting a restraining order against you. You put our four-month-old daughter in danger because of jealousy. I’m over this shit with you, and I mean it.”

“It’s fine. You’re right, and I’m sorry, Khalil. For real.”

“Whatever.”

Ma cut her eyes at me, but I didn’t give a fuck anymore at this point.

She rubbed Nia’s hand. “I love you, and I’m praying for you.”

“Thank you,” Nia replied, giving me one last glance before hurrying off.

I watched her pull away before I stepped out of the door. “I’ll see y’all later.” I didn’t wait for them to reply as I got in my truck and headed to my destination.

Three hours later, I was pulling up to the Coretta dorms on a mission. After filing the custody complaint and getting a restraining order, it was now time to convince my girl not to leave me. I hadn’t heard anything about her leaving, so I hoped she was still here.

I got out of my truck and hurriedly made my way inside. Anna, the dorm security, recognized me and gave me a nod to proceed.

When I got to her dorm room, I saw the door was ajar and frowned before pushing it open.

“Pipe?” I queried before heading fully inside. Braelyn stepped out of the bathroom, meeting me in the living room. She, too, had a few bruises on her, but they were minor.

“What’s up, Braelyn? My bad for the intrusion. Is Piper around?”

She shook her head. “She left this morning.”

I frowned. “To class, I hope. Right?”

She shook her head again. “She left True. Told me that if you came by to tell you she loves you, and she’s sorry. I’m kind of mad at her for leaving too, but I understand, I guess.”

I bit down on my bottom lip, eyes surveying the room before a small chuckle left my mouth. “Stop playing with me, Brae. I still see her clothes and shit here.”

“I’m not lying to you. She only took one bag and her laptop. She left all the stuff you bought her and told me to give you these and the clothes, shoes, and bags.” She pulled the keys to the Benz out of her drawer and handed them to me. I closed my eyes and tightened my fist around the keys, wanting to toss those bitches out of the window.

My heart dropped as I stared out of the window, trying to understand how she could fucking leave me like what we had wasn’t real. It made me question if she ever truly loved me as I loved her.

I asked her not to leave me.

Begged her, even.

Just for her to turn around and shit on me like I meant nothing to her.

“She also told me to give you this.” Braelyn handed me an envelope. I took it and stared at it, already deciding that I wasn’t opening the motherfucka.

Without a word, I turned and headed toward the door.

“Wait. What about this stuff she left?”

“Keep it, sell it, I don’t give a fuck,” I told her, walking out of the room with my heart in pieces.

Right then, I promised myself that I’d never fall the fuck in love again.

Ten Years Later