Page 97 of Full Court Press

Had I come back sooner, there would be no over extensive apologies, grand gestures, spending sixty thousand dollars on presidential suites, wardrobes, or five-course meals. Not to mention the other gift I hadn’t given him yet. There also wouldn’t be me getting to know my bonus daughter, and no Anais.

The camera panned to Kiyanne. She was such a doll, and she, too, cried tears of happiness.

“Awww, bestie. What’s wrong?” Robyn asked, walking over to me.

I shook my head and smiled. “Nothing. I’m just . . . happy.”

“Happy tears are always good,” Braelyn said, hugging me around my waist.

“Okay, let’s get ahead of this traffic,” Tashina said.

“You guys go. I’ll meet you all at the after party.”

“The way this baby won’t let me be great, I’m going to have to take a raincheck on the after party.” Braelyn giggled.

“Okay. Be safe, babe. I love you,” I told her.

“I love you more. I can’t wait to help plan your real wedding.” She beamed.

I laughed. “Me either.”

We all said our goodbyes, and I watched them leave, then turned back to the chaos down below and continued to smile. After a few seconds, I took a seat in the comfortable chair, poured myself a glass of champagne, crossed my legs, and sat back, watching the screen with insurmountable pride.

I watched them pull Khalil to the side to interview him. That confident smile was etched on his face while sweat dripped from his face, and he wiped it away with the towel. Kiyanne stood beside him with her daddy’s arm over her shoulder. She was smiling widely.

Happy.

“How does it feel to be a seven-time winner and this year’s MVP?” the interviewer asked.

“As always, it feels amazing to be able to lead the team to victory. Every year, the feeling of winning never gets old. We work hard and play harder.”

The interviewer chuckled. “What’s next for you now that the season’s over?”

“Rebuilding and lots of family vacations,” he said with a huge grin.

My cheeks hurt from how hard I was smiling.

“And what about you, baby champ? How do you feel about your dad winning the championship?” he asked Kiyanne.

“He always wins, so I’m always happy!” They all laughed, and my smile faded when I saw Anais walk up and wrap her arms around his waist. She had a shit-eating grin on her face as she looked into the camera.

I saw Khalil’s smile fade and the confused look on Kiyanne’s face. Angry wasn’t a good enough word to describe how I felt.

This bitch is really on one.

“And how do you feel about your fiancé winning the championship?”

“I feel great! He’s always been a winner, even if he loses. His talent can’t be duplicated, and it’s why he won MVP. I’m so proud of him,” she gushed.

“This dumb bitch,” I voiced. Khalil cut him off from asking her anymore questions and walked off with Kiy still under his arm. I wanted to go down on that court and slap that trifling-ass lace front off her head. I could already tell she wasn’t going to bow out gracefully with this. Even after her father resigned from the board, she still felt entitled to be in my husband’s space.

I pulled my chirping phone from my bag and saw that it was Khalil. How he got to the locker room that fast was crazy.

I answered on the third ring.

“Hi, champ,” I said with a smile.

“I know you saw that shit.”