Is everything ok —aside from what happened with us?" She asked with her puffy red face.

"Just some family stuff, I'm dealing with. Some things I realize I need to change. Its gon' make my family uncomfortable but I have to do it." I went over to the sofa to sit, she followed.

"Oh ok, I'm sorry to hear that." She glanced up at me from where she chose to sit, at the far end of the sofa.

I moved down to where she was, removing the space between us. "Tell me more about this news you told me about earlier." I grabbed her hands and kissed both of them.

She stared down at our interlocked fingers. "What else do you want to know about it?"

"Your child's father, why isn't he here? What was the big fall out you were referring to?"

She exhaled nervously resting her back against the sofa. "I hate telling this part of my life. —I'm not a weak person. I'm solid, raised by wonderful parents and I'm smart even. I get along with most people who pass my way, and I usually make good decisions, I don't know how this-"

"Adira I'm not judging you, we're just talking. Getting to know each other.— I'm sorry I left earlier the way I did. I didn't know how to handle you telling me you're pregnant and I had already taken a liking to you. So talk to me plain."

"I met him through Charlotte my undergrad freshman year, she knew him through some of her friends. She thought he'd be great for me. I said I was open to the idea. She got us to go on a blind date, and it started from there. We were cool in the beginning. It was really after we made it official is when things started to change slowly. I came to realize that some of the things he said he was in to, he wasn't. Like basketball, for instance, he knew that was a big deal in my family, and we always get together to watch or go to a game. In the beginning, he said he loved the way I was with my family and friends. He later started showing me he didn't want me around them at all." She wiped her eyes, a tear fell. I continued on listening.

"He'd complain about them being too into my business and that I needed to focus on him. Then even that escalated to me isolating myself from my family a little. We'd come around putting on a front showing we were happy just so my family wouldn't worry."

"He'd put me down and say rude things to me. His mom would sort of be in his ear. —They're very close. It's almost weird their relationship. I tried everything to make him happy. I don't know why I stayed in it for as long as I did. Now looking back, I know it was foolish. He didn't like the way I dressed. He said it was too casual. He hated when I spoke up before him. Whenever we were around people. He got real comfortable trying to control me, and that was always our argument."

I looked at her and shook my head as I caressed her hands I still held. "Did he hit you?"

She waited before she answered.

She nodded her head as more tears fell. I reached in to wipe them. "Yes, he punched me once. It was close to my eye. We were arguing one day back and forth in his living-room. It all started because of breakfast. I made something I wanted, and he made a comment saying that it wasn't good for me. I then said it's what I wanted, and that's why I made it. Then it escalated to a yelling match with him telling me to shut up and I wouldn't. I was fed up with him. I was tired of him treating me like a child."

"So after going back and forth in each other's face, making the argument even bigger. He snapped and punched me. It was a strong punch. I fell to the ground."

"It caught me off guard because I had never been in an aggressive situation like that with a man before." She wiped her eye, taking a breath.

"I touched near my eye and couldn't believe he had just hit me. The shock factor didn't last long, because I quickly stood up charging for him, and we fought. I'm a tall girl. My daddy taught me how to defend myself. So I kicked him in his balls, he fell to the ground. I then started punching him until I got tired." She continued.

"I went to grab the bleach while he was still laid out on the floor. I went into his room and poured it all over his clothes, shoes, and carpet until it was empty. I then grabbed his bat and started bussing all the windows and mirrors in the room."

I looked at her now with wide eyes, listening to the turn of events.

"He came in the room yelling 'you stupid bitch.' He came close to me again like he was ready to try something so I raised the bat into a swinging position. I yelled, 'try me, and I'll show you a real bitch.' He had blood coming down his face from a gash I put on his forehead. He walked out and didn't say anything else. I left and drove straight to my condo. It was over between us. I sent him a message telling him we were done."

I nodded my head.

"I didn't tell anyone about it, not even Char. I iced and covered the bruise with makeup until it went away. I went on for a few months, acting as if nothing was different. So everybody thought I was still with Nelson. I didn't hear from him, and I wasn't about to call him. He did send text messages saying he was sorry. I never replied."

"As time went by, almost a year, I was feeling alone and insecure. I didn't have anybody to talk to. I was living a lie. I ended up texting Nelson, not about the apologies he would send but to have sex. Something I shouldn't have done. Now here I am almost five months pregnant." She sighed, wiping her eyes once more. I grabbed her hands again, placing them back in mine.

"What does he think about you having his child?"

"I waited to tell him. I was three months when I told him. I finally mustered up the courage. —I told him over the phone, and he was pissed. He later called me wanting a DNA test. So I'll be getting that done after the baby is born. He was posting about me, being petty. He missed the two appointments I told him about. The gender one was the last. I found out I was having a girl. He didn't show up. I guess because he and my dad had got into it."

"I overheard a conversation with him and his mom, she didn't realize she didn't end the call. They were talking crap about me because I didn't tell them the gender. I stayed on the phone until she realized I was still there and that's when I hung up. He started blowing my phone up and apologizing once again. I eventually sent him a text letting him know the gender and for him to stop texting and calling me. I made it clear that I didn't want him, and that if it's not about the baby, then I don't want to hear it. He texts back replying ok." She caught her breath.

I inhaled slowly then released. "You have a lot going on.— Even if we were trying to pursue each other still, I don't think you would have time to."

I released my hands from hers, looking down at her stomach. "Can I?

She nodded, so I went on to lift her sweater a little revealing her baby bump. "You are pregnant."

She looked down at her growing stomach smiling. "Yep."

"I guess my gift today was a good gift. It all makes sense now." I chuckled, she smiled, rubbing her stomach.

"You want to talk about your family stuff?" She questioned while pulling her sweater down.

"I'll tell you about it tomorrow, its getting late."

She nodded. "You have a lot going on as well, plus you have the entire world watching you. I'm not stupid. I know you crave normalcy."

I started rubbing at the wrinkles in my forehead, resting my elbow on the back of the chair. I was turned facing her. "I want to be able to have some privacy. I get my position and the fame stuff, but sometimes I get to a breaking point. I don't have time to kick back or have a good time. —I hang with the guys on the team, but that's different. It's just when I'm home. I want to be left alone sometimes. —I live with my family in one big ass house, by the way."

She nodded, letting me know that she already knew that, of course, she does. The whole world knew that. She has a way of making me feel comfortable enough to open up.

"My mom doesn't get that."

She nodded again understanding that I'm not looking for an opinion just a listening ear.

"If it's not about business most of the time, it doesn't get discussed. Or it's looked at as a bad thing. So I don't see the point in us living together anymore anyway. We don't do anything together as a family."

"That meal you cooked for me today meant everything to me. You took time out to make all of it. I appreciate it." I grabbed her hands again. "Thank you."

She smiled, nodding her head.

"I still can't get over you bleaching that man stuff." I laughed. "Remind me not to piss you off."

"Shut up. I bet you he won't put his hands on me again."

"He deserves what he got, that plus more.— I can't imagine a man putting their hands on any of the women in my family. Fuck career and all, I'm going to jail."

"You sound like my dad and my brother when I finally told everyone everything."

"I can imagine that."

She stood up and went to the kitchen. "You want me to make you something? Do you want something to drink before bed?"

"No I'm ok, I'll get some water. Where is your shower?"

"I have everything set up for you its the second door on the right. The bedroom is the next door beside it."

"Cool." I got up, grabbed my bag, and made my way down the hall. Once I entered the bedroom, I sat my bag down eyeing the room. It's all girly, like a teenagers room. With a gigantic poster of me was on the wall.

I poked my head out the door back into the hall. "Somebody staying in this room?

"No, my little sister comes over and spend the night sometimes. She's a huge fan of yours. You're her future bae." She laughed, walking over to me. "I changed the sheets and everything, I tried to tone down the glamourous crazy teenage life she has going on in here. Will this be ok?"

"Yeah, it's cool." I chuckled. "Thank you."

She smiled, making her way back down the hall.

I went on to take my stuff out of my bag to get ready for my shower. I went into the bathroom and close the door behind.

She has everything eloquently decorated, the rug on the floor was a soft and fluffy cream color. She has self-affirmations all over the walls written in cursive. It smelled like cinnamon and lavender. Even her towels were nice. They matched the grey tile in the shower.

She and her friend Charlotte outdid themselves. This condo makes all of my homes look outdated. My mom is into whatever looks expensive, so its mostly fancy artwork and ancient-looking rugs throughout my houses. Nothing special just as big as hell.

I hopped in the shower and quickly washed off a few times then got out. I dried off, wrapped the towel around me and used the new toothbrush and paste she had provided on the counter. As I was moving to get myself together, I was thinking about Adira and how I still wanted to pursue her. I don't know-how, considering her child's father. I don't want any issues. Hearing the stories, she told me about him. I know there will be some. I also don't want her stretching herself thin, trying to juggle everything.

What if I was meant to be with her, —so much backlash would come our way. From fans, my family, perhaps even the league. I wouldn't even know how her family would feel about me bringing her into my world of fame. Especially after all she's already been through with her ex. —I know she'll catch hell from him, once he hears about us. Is she even ready for a relationship or us continuing to date or anything?

I grabbed my dirty clothes, folded them up, and stepped out of the bathroom. I heard another shower running. I placed my clothes on the floor by my bag then sat on the bed.

Perhaps being friends is enough for both of us right now. I have family stuff and a championship ring I'm trying to get this year. She has; her baby, her ex, school, and work she's juggling. I guess as long as I'm able to be around her is enough for me.

After getting myself comfortable and settled on the bed. I scrolled through my phone. I haven't checked anything lately as far as messages. They're piling up at this point. I decided to delete them all. I already saw the important ones anyway. I then remembered I said I would text my dad and never did.

I forgot to text you. I made it safe. I'll talk to you and mom after the game tomorrow.

Ok. See you then. Goodnight, son. We love you.

I love you guys, too, goodnight.

A knock appeared at the door.

"Come in."

She opened it. "Just wanted to check on you and make sure you're good before I turn in."

"Everything's great. The bed is comfortable. Thank you."

She smiled. "Great, well goodnight."

"Goodnight." I smiled back. She closed the door. I made sure my alarm was set. I placed my phone on the nightstand by the bed on my wireless charging pad, along with my ear pods. I shifted under the sheets of this cozy king-sized bed. I flipped the pillows over to the cool side and plopped my head down on it. A moment later, I drifted off to sleep.

______________________________

💜💚💜💚