Page 55 of Tyriq & Teaira
“Glad to hear it and thank you for booking us. I don’t know if you are having a draft party, but if you are, maybe you can consider us.”
“Bet. I’ll let you know,” I say although I already know I’m not doing the whole draft party thing. The party for me will happen when I’m officially playing my first NBA game. It won’t feel real until that first game.
The moment I’m in the room, Mick hits me. This nigga always catches me at the right time every fucking time.
“What’s up, Mick?”
“Just making sure you’re heading to that plane.”
“The car will be here in thirty. I’m getting on a plane.”
“Just making sure. We got too much on the line.”
“I understand that more than anybody. This is my life, my dream, and my future. I’m not fucking this shit up.”
“That’s what the fuck I like to hear. I’m flying in Tuesday. I’ll see you then. Hit me when you land.”
“It’s your plane. You’ll know when it lands.” Since Mick represents three of the seventy-six players in the combine, he’s sending us to Chicago on his private plane.
After ending the call with him, I take a quick shower and change. Then, I grab Teaira’s real present, an eighteen inch platinum chain with a floating two carat solitaire pendant, from the side pocket of my duffle and place the long black jewelry box on the pillow along with my small note,To the only woman I want to mother my children. Baby, I hope you enjoyed your day. I love you.
Because my bags for the flight are in my ride, I’ll grab them when the car service arrives. I walk back to the dining room but it’s empty. Miss Diane is in the living room sipping on a glass of champagne. I already know Quay is downstairs so I look for Tee and my moms. I spot them out on the deck. They are standing in front of the rail, side by side, facing the mountain view. As I approach the deck, I hear my name and stop. I know I need to fall back and let them talk but I can’t. Shit, they’re talking about me.
“What about my son?” my mom asks.
“He told me everything about his dad.”
“What about his dad?”
“I know that him being at our baby shower isn’t going to happen. I don’t know if you were just saying that because my mom mentioned my dad or what but I wanted to make sure that you and I understand each other, especially because this little boy or girl in my stomach makes us family. I love Tyriq and I’m not going to let you hurt him by inserting your husband where he’s not wanted. I say this with respect but just like you stand ten toes behind your husband, I stand ten toes and ten fingers behind him. No one is going to hurt him, not even his own parents.”
As Teaira talks, I fall harder for her. She’s talking to my mom, holding me down. She’s a real one and I’m lucky as hell she’s mine.
“I would never hurt my son,” my mom says.
“Not anymore, not on my watch.”
“He won’t come.”
“Thank you.
“No thank you. Tyriq needs someone who stands by him no matter what. But I do want you to know that I love my son, I just can’t love him as loud as I want.”
“I’m not judging you,” Teaira says calmly. “Let’s go back in. He’s leaving soon.” I take a few big steps back then pretend to be just walking up when they walk back into the cabin. “Is the car here?”
“I didn’t look. If so, he can wait ten until I do this. Ma, give us a minute,” I say.
I take Teaira’s hand. She accepts and I lead her back onto the deck. As soon as we are outside, I pull her into me. Herwords meant so much to me and I just need her to know how much I really love her.
“Before I leave, I want to tell you something.”
“What, baby?” she asks.
“Don’t ever doubt or wonder if I love you, ever. Okay?”
“Okay. I won’t.”
“Tee, I’m serious. Never, ’cause I love you so much I can barely describe how I feel. Just know I’ll never stop loving you no matter what. I love you. I want you and I need you. There’s nobody else for me.”
