Total pages in book: 96
Estimated words: 91925 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 460(@200wpm)___ 368(@250wpm)___ 306(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 91925 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 460(@200wpm)___ 368(@250wpm)___ 306(@300wpm)
“Knight,” she whimpers my name and wraps her arm around me.
“I’m right here, baby. I’m right here.”
CHAPTER 14
Be My Peace
Knight
Sweat is dripping down my face, and my T-shirt is sticking to my body, but I’ve never felt more alive. I needed this. Time with my family.
The last few days have been surprisingly great. Reminisce has been working from home so we haven’t left my place. At least, she hasn’t.
I decided to give her some space to work today. Prince and Lord were up for a game of basketball, so I joined them at the gym. I arrived to find Bishop, Dwayne, and Kegan as well. I hadn’t known my brother and two cousins were roped into this. If Bishop is around, so is Dwayne.
Dwayne and his brother are close, so I can’t say I’m surprised to see Kegan. I’m not going to lie and say I’m not happy to see them all. I’ve come to appreciate the brotherhood we have after being around a brotherhood not born of blood.
I dribble the basketball and look for an opening. Prince and Lord are on my team. While Bishop, Dwayne, and Kegan are on the other.
“Come on, man. You can do better than that. Don’t you play with your kids, shouldn’t you be in better shape?” Prince taunts Dwayne.
Dwayne frowns but keeps him blocked preventing the pass. I look to Lord and see he’s not having much better luck with Bishop.
“Set the pick, bro,” I call out to Prince as I dribble up the court.
I pull up and shoot the jump shot. I’m on fire today. My thoughts go to my girl at home.
“What’s with the grin and all the energy?” Kegan asks as I go to guard him.
“Life is good,” I croon, then steal the ball.
I pass to Prince. He takes it in for a lay-up. After making the shot, he begins to beat his chest as he taunts Bishop. I shake my head at the two.
“We’re up five. Twenty-five, twenty. You boys might as well pack it in,” I call out.
“Just shut up and play. You guys aren’t winning. This isn’t over,” Bishop growls.
I snort. “You believe that shit?”
While I’m talking shit, Kegan drives the ball up the court for a jumper. The ball catches nothing but net. “Oh,” his team cheers in unison.
“What were you saying?” Bishop adds.
Wiping the sweat from my brow, I lock in. I’m not losing this game. Prince and Lord will blame it all on me and become relentless in their teasing.
Dwayne, Kegan, and Bishop will rub it in as well. As the youngest, they’re all going to make my life hell if we take this L. I’m here for the W or nothing.
Lord has the ball, and he’s racing down the court. Bishop is on my tail, but I get in the paint and Lord passes me the ball. I take a fade away jump shot but it bounces off the back of the rim.
“Brick,” Bishop calls out.
However, Prince is there for the rebound and sinks the shot for another two. I clap my hands and head back the other way. I’m smiling from ear to ear as victory is well within our grasp.
“Losing team is buying beers,” Prince crows.
Kegan tries to cross me, but he’s showing off too much. I cut across him and steal the ball. On a pivot, I get to the three point line and sink a bucket.
“For the win. Knight Moran,” I call out.
“Shut up,” Kegan grunts.
“Good game,” Dwayne puffs out.
“You boys up for another or you calling it quits?” I say.
“I’m done. I’m ready to get something to eat and those beers,” Lord says.
“Cool, I won’t even make you boys treat after all. After that beating it’s my treat,” Prince says.
“The last time you said that you left and stuck us with the bill,” Kegan grumbles.
“Something came up. I had to go. It’s not like any of you needed any charity. Get over it, tightwad,” Prince tosses back.
“Ladies. It will be my treat,” I say through my laughter.
“Oh look, the baby wants to play grown-up,” Kegan teases.
I toss him the finger as I grab my bag and head for the showers. It feels good to be with family. Knowing Rem is back at my place, waiting for me to return feels even better.
I could see this being my life. I’ve grown so accustomed to distancing myself from everyone around me, I crave the normalcy this leave has offered. My back burns a little, but I’ve been pushing that to the back of my mind.
“That’s new,” Kegan says as I strip my shirt off in the locker room.
I look over my shoulder to find him staring at my back. I shrug and go back to undressing to go take my shower. I catch Dwayne shaking his head at his brother out the corner of my eyes.