34. Cemone

THE NEXT WEEK…

I spotted Yolani sitting courtside in her all-black jacket. She'd told me that she would be revealing her stomach here, but only if I made one of my three-pointers over my shoulder, some shit I had become known for.

Ready for the world to know, so that I could soon find out what the fuck I was having since Yolani wanted to wait until after the announcement, I took a deep breath.

I dribbled the ball, stalling a little bit as I bounced it between my legs, ready to cross this punk ass nigga who thought he could guard me.

"Oh, that's you smelling like titty milk." I taunted him. "Young ass ain't ready to play no real ball with the big dogs."

"Nigga, fuck you!" he spat, dropping his position like I knew he would.

He was so focused on poking his chest out, he didn't keep his head in the game, and I easily moved around him. As I got closer to the basket, I flipped around and shot. When the crowd hopped up out of their fucking seats to cheer, I knew I'd made the shit. I hadn't not made one yet, but figured when this much shit depended on it, it was possible I wouldn't.

Yolani was off her feet clapping, after having removed her jacket to reveal the dress that used to be a jersey with my number and last name on the back. People nearby began to notice, and eventually, the camera panned her way, putting her on the Jumbotron.

Just as I was about to clap it up for her, she held up a sign reading It's Another Little Shooting Guard AKA A Boy.

I was so fucking shocked, I unintentionally allowed my teammates to touch my shoulders, congratulating a nigga. We made eye contact, and she winked before mouthing Your mama is gonna be pissed .

I chuckled, heading her way and delivering a quick kiss to her then her belly before returning to the game.

I felt like I'd played better than I ever had tonight, us coming out on top with a lead so far ahead that the game was essentially over by the third quarter.

"How do you feel, Cemone?" One of the reporters questioned me on the court, as Yolani came to stand by me.

"Pretty good as I'm sure you can fucking guess. Finding out I got a son on the way, a real one." I made a face, and the reporter laughed. "And then us winning, which I already knew we would, is like the cherry on top of this shit."

"Yeah, you look happy, and it seems you got a boost of energy after the announcement."

"I did. My game tonight is in thanks to my beautiful wife." I pecked her as she blushed, looking up at me with stars in her eyes. A nigga would never tire of that shit. "Nobody told me how much better a nigga would play with a good woman behind him, but that shit is true. I always been that nigga on the court, but now that I got her, you muthafuckas better step ya fucking game up. 'Cause somehow, my already impeccable game has improved."

As the reporter and Yolani laughed, I led her away so I could get my shit and we could dip.

"Damn, a boy, huh? My mama probably already blowing me up," I said.

"Yeah, she sent me a text asking how long I knew and why didn't I just break it to her." Yolani snickered.

After the game, we got some food because my baby loved to eat and then went to the hotel for some celebration sex.

And by morning, the photo of me kissing Yolani and then her belly was every fucking where. I fucked with it too, though, making a mental note to print that shit out, blow it up, and hang it somewhere.

M y phone rang as I lay in bed, rubbing Yolani's stomach and watching some movie that she wanted to see. Noticing Bashar's name, I answered.

"What's up, nigga?"

"A lot of fucking money."

"Word?" I laughed as Yolani watched me.

"Yeah. The state agreed to pay you twenty million in damages for all the shit you endured. Come see me this week, or I can drop the check off to you."

We'd already knew shit would go down like this, so I wasn't necessarily surprised. I was more so waiting on the confirmation. I was also waiting for niggas to find Judge Morton in his deep freezer where I'd put him.

"Damn. I'll cop that shit from you tomorrow."

"Aight, cool. Congrats, nigga, I'm proud of you."

"Lot of shit for you to be proud of." I shrugged, fucking with him.

"Bye, nigga."

"You'll cop what tomorrow?" she asked, pausing the TV.

"The check from the state for the lawsuit." I smirked.

"That's so much money. But you deserve it after what happened. I know you still miss the babies."

"I do." I nodded. "I'm gon' put five million each into the account I created for 'em."

"They are gonna be ecstatic when they grow up." She watched me. "Do you think they might try to come find you?"

"I don't know, but if they do, I'm gon' keep the shit real."

"You should." She watched me as I pondered for a bit. "I love you so much, Cemone Compton." She kissed me, climbing on top.

"I love you too."

When I first saw Yolani, I just wanted another notch on my fucking belt. But like my mama always said, I needed a woman who was gon' whip my ass into shape, and Yolani's mean, strict, but beautiful and softhearted ass did just fucking that.