There's my girl.

Eleven looks good on Lizzie. A lot of people wear it but I'm proud to see it on her.

A smirk pulls on my lips as I lean against the wall, sitting on top of a random counter in the locker room after brutal back and forth play in the first two quarters of the game.

Villanova is not here for a loss tonight but they are struggling. Their small forward is injured and their point guard is questionable after Hollis destroyed his ankles on defense.

Breaking stereotypes in every way.

He did it his first day of practice with us, a bunch melanin cocky men.

I just wish he wouldn't live that way all the time because yesterday he confessed at his Eaters Anonymous support group that he still feels like his body is not good enough for Alexis. I'm real shook up about because she can't enough her white chocolate, according to her giggles keeping me up fucking late.

I shake my head at their rendezvous late last night... 'till three am.

Tonight is our last home game of the season before the beginning of March Madness. I never thought this day would come but it's finally here. And I'm one step closer to my dream of playing for the NBA. I had to up my game tonight because Washington Wizards and OKC Thunder representatives were here tonight because the coach said they were interested in the new triple threat, me, Jordy, and Marcus.

The atmosphere is pretty emotional and bitter sweet. Stepping on the court here one last time as a senior really hits hard, especially because not everybody is taking the path to the NBA like Jordy, Marcus, and I hope to.

Honestly, I never thought this moment would actually come so quickly. I guess throughout the years of me being here and just being on autopilot, numbing my emotions, and trying to push through the years, they flew past me. My tunnel vision left me disconnected, which includes missing out on not meeting the Gummy Bear Bandit sooner.

I chuckle about how Lizzie conned me into getting her some gummy bears Wednesday evening because it helps her think while studying. I suggested maybe some dried fruit and nuts but she just left me on read. But giving into the Anti-orange Gummy Bear Inspector, I showed up to her little nurse study group with her teal headed friend and this nice, pretty dark skinned girl with a Caribbean accent Jordy would decease over.

I thought Lizzie was going to jump my bones for giving her the big ass pound bag or maybe it was my grey sweats?

I'm thinking it was more or less the sweats because she asked me why I had them on campus in her sweet voice.

If she's going to play that game. I definitely should have tied my Nike jacket around her waist for showing her ass in those tight lavender leggings, swallowing up her ass so perfectly. Those are my fucking favorite since Sky Zone. I'm curious how she got the stain out of them for puking pink chunks at me.

My eyes travel Lizzie and Alexis' interaction are marveling over the red and yellow over the top expensive, and probably in their mind poorly decorated, equipment. Lizzie's hands slide across the walls painted with the Maryland flag.

Not sure why Alexis pretends she hasn't snuck in here after hours with Hollis. None of us believe that he 'forgot something' because he can't wait to be alone with her.

Damn, actually fucking here is legit on my to do list and he beat me too it. Just thinking about Lizzie pushed up against my locker, those short, honey-complexed legs wrapped around my waist, nails crawling my back, and whimpering that we might get caught gets me all tingly inside.

I know Naughty Lizzie has it in her.

Unashamed, my eyes glue on Lizzie's ass as she turns, marveling at the big cut outs of us guys. I still can't believe Winnie's Pooh's best friend let me give her an ass massage. My hand is still tingling, aching to do it again. I can't get the image out my head of her staring at me with those doe eyes, watching every fucking move.

I know physically she drives me wild but just the significance behind her logic with wanting to explore and have boyfriend and girlfriend time really does something to me I can't explain it .

But for once, I, Jaylan Parker, want to take the physical side slow because every moment like that with Lizzie deserves to be cherish one hundred percent of the way.

A few chuckles escape my lips at Lizzie secretly takes a photo of kissing mine on the cheek, poking her ass out with one foot propped up. Probably for her Instagram story or Pinterest.

Damn, I'm glad she is my girl. It's really nice saying tha - woah, wait wait wait.

Lizzie's hand reaches up and pulls a few strands of hair over her shoulder, then adjusts it to cover up a particular spot. No one else notices but since my eyes are watching every detail, I see the faint, pink, small spot to the right of her left ear.

I'm surprised my face doesn't break with how wide I'm grinning at this moment.

Of course I want to show my mark on my woman. She actually showed it to me on the way to school, confessing she used my soap and it was karma for not asking. It took everything in me not to laugh so hard but just even more honored I gave her first hickey of many more to come on that sexy ass body.

My eyes continue to gawk with no shame as she squats down to tie her white shoes. Xavier and my other teammate Taylor pause what they're doing to stare at what's mine. I shoot them a glare and they go back into their conversation.

Just the little things she does and she doesn't even know it.

Especially Wednesday morning, waking me up at an ungodly hour and trying to start unholy things. I want to go easy, not too animalistic, with her but soon enough, I too like waking up at three am.

She'll find out soon where that game will lead her. The way her ass presses up against me or how she koalas herself on top of me in the middle of the night. The stiffness lasted all night and at one point I'm pretty sure she was wiggling around which wasn't helping my case.

Lizzie finally glances over at me, furrowing her brows with her hands on her hip. In return, I only send her a warning smile of my dirty thoughts of her.

"Come here," I rasp.

She shakes her head no and I arch my brow and glance at her little Pinterest project. She was so excited and FaceTimed me last night at her job instead of waitressing. The fact her boss has not fired her amazes me but I guess with her sweet voice, she thinks she could do no wrong.

She can't, really.

My ego isn't ready to admit how much she has me wrapped around her tiny finger. Every giggle lights up my heart in a way I can't describe. It's unfamiliar but I like it. Her joy is contagious and I'd be lying if I say it didn't rub off on me.

I press my lips playfully as she walks over. She starts handing out her gifts, starting with a big gift bag she hands to Coach T.

"You really don't have to give these knuckleheads anything." He smirks, opening his goodie bag with a wide grin.

"You haven't gotten my nursing bill yet," she teases with her eyes on me. "Extra charges for Jaylan since he's not following my exact instructions."

While the room roars at my expense, my smirk at Lizzie fades when her words trigger the first time I saw her upset.

I found out why Lizzie likes hiding underneath the bed.

It's dark, quiet, and no one is around. Winnie the Pooh does it when he is scared but I'm pretty sure, to my knowledge, it was under his covers and he got stuck in a tree. Lizzie said it helps her just to be alone and feel what she needs to feel, so she doesn't have to talk about what hurts her.

But, unfortunately for her, I like communication and an overthinker needs a communicator. It's given.

Getting down underneath there and cradling her as she cried was worth the hard work fitting myself in there.

Fuck, seeing her cry makes the world stop, the sun's rays go away, and clouds take over. When her gingerbread eyes light up, they almost remind me of pure, rich honey. Her soft whimpers and cries wreck me. As a good boyfriend, I pulled her in arms, even in the crammed up space. We were under there for an hour and I actually fell asleep at one point but she softly woke me up telling me it was time to go.

She wouldn't tell me exactly what was wrong but I reminded her that whatever it is, don't let it ruin Chocolate Cream-Filled Day, and that earned me a crammed-up, tiny make out session underneath my bed Wednesday morning.

Not a fantasy I had thought of just yet but I'll take it.

Our eyes catch each other and she brushes some strands out of her face looking away back at Lexi engaged in conversation with Hollis Mom who just showed up with his mom's boyfriend or domestic partner, still not sure.

Drawing my attention back to the president of Winnie The Pooh Fan Club, who is fidgeting with her father's necklace. The sight twinges my heart, reminding me how he upset her. Whatever he did, it triggered her because when we were at the Wockenfuss Candy Store, something shattered and she leapt right into my arms. I know she mentioned before about her dad having a smoking problem but she didn't go too into much detail about crashing sounds affecting her.

After getting her a box of chocolates and dropping Chick-fil-A off for lunch, then ripping up the cuddle coupon book spontaneously spending Wednesday night, I have to say I think I've earned all my stickers now. I think I'm going to wait for the sleepover to be the night before I leave for Indiana. It will definitely be more special than what was originally thought now that she is my girlfriend.

Even though there is sadness deep down in the bundle of joy, she doesn't let that sadness distract her life. It was definitely a life lesson for myself, that joy is a gift and a choice to pursue after it. The best makeup on her is joy, not that chemical stuff cake up on a lot of girls. It radiates through her skin covering up the loneliness and pain really well.

I definitely understand that.

I know she has ginger demon and Alexis to keep her company but in reality Lizzie has no family here in the United States that i'm aware of. If she is like most international students here at UMD, she probably hasn't been home because of the cost and just the process to get back here. The thought of her not being able to celebrate alot of holidays with family twinges my heart that she can't throw an extravagant bonanza for Christmas or Thanksgiving.

I don't know what's worse, not having family close by or not having family at all. I know Aunt Lisa and Uncle Steve constantly remind me to be sure Lizzie comes to stay with them during March Madness on weekends because Aunt Lisa already wants to spoil her with so much. I can't imagine how she truly feels that her family is nowhere in reach.

Keeping my focus, my eyes travel the bundle of joy holding a tray of Gatorade and goodies that she probably worked so hard finishing after lab this evening she was stubborn as a mule about me wanting her to come to Senior Night tonight and wear my jersey.

Despite my desire for her to be here, I let it be autonomously up to her. Her dreams and passions matter more than a two and half hour game. I've learned from my mistakes with Gabrielle, or I hope I've learned. I don't want to hold Lizzie back from her dreams because the fact she has them is one of the things I like best about her.

Damn she looks sexy in my jersey though, number eleven stretching across her tits.

She's not the only one with a bucket list. Just thinking about her sprawled out on the bed, with nothing but my jersey bunched up around her neck and slamming my hips into hers. I know I can't be this boyfriend but she is seriously driving me nuts with those tight jeans. They're suffocating my favorite thing to grab, massage, and tap when she misbehaves.

She walks over to Marcus, skipping me with a Naughty Lizzie smile and hands him a snack first. He playfully puts it to his heart and grins smugly at me. I flip him off, which Lizzie furrows her eyebrows at me being bad. I laugh, shaking my head as she passes around her gifts with Alexis making her way to me.

"Thank you, tiny tot!" Jordy rushes over, taking one. Ruffling her hair, making her crinkle her nose at him. "My name is Lizzie.".

"Right, small fry," Xavier chimes in while drinking his orange Gatorade.

"I like short stack," Zack adds

"Nah, smalls fits better." Taylor shoots her a grin.

She grunts and immediately narrows her doe-shaped, brown eyes at me. I flash her another smile to get under her skin. She probably thinks I orchestrated her new nicknames, which I did. I want her to feel welcome with my brothers and comfortable, knowing we have her back in all things. Especially no matter how much the cheerleaders are trying to tarnish her with their immature shit.

Rubbing my hand down my face, my attention averts to Lizzie coming over with boldness, stands right between my legs, and I press my sweaty forehead against hers. She sneaks up a blue gatorade, dang how she knows that's my favorite I'm not sure, and shakes it in my face.

"For me? How did you know?" I playfully smile and she giggles.

"I have my resources." Her eyes shift to Marcus who was sipping down his yellow gatorade.

I chuckle, kissing Lizzie. I can't get enough of her lips, so soft, so warm, just melt into mine perfectly. She initiates a deeper kiss, making me groan in her mouth and evoking a giggle out of her that echoes through my mouth. I pull back and as I expect, she takes a minute to flutter her eyes open. A rosy blush across her face causes her to put her hand to her face and I softly laugh. I shoot her wink and the blush grows bigger.

Despite her unknown sadness, Lizzie surprised me with how she bounced back since Wednesday. Before the game, I spotted her with Testudo and Lexi, doing a Men in Black tik tok for the UMD basketball team instagram and I guess I ruined it, joining in with Jordy and showing off our moves.

With a famous Lizzie scolding, her perfect eyebrows and pout face, I kissed it away and boy I'm glad I did. She even allowed me to grab her ass, pressing her mangoes against my chest. Hey, I'm not complaining because I enjoyed it but not Testudo. He actually waved in disapproval, making her giggle at our actions.

Snooze you loose. I got to watch that fucking turtle.

"Educate me, Nurse Lizzie," I tease, twisting the cap off with ease. Her eyes dilate a bit at my simple action and I chuckle, taking a first sip.

She shakes it off, mumbling something in Spanish. "Electrolytes and carbohydrates help athletes refuel and rehydrate."

"Oh, what else?" I arch my brow, smiling and taking another, much longer sip.

"Electrolytes help regulate the body's fluid balance while the carbs provide energy. " She flusters as I take another sip with a smirk.

Lizzie might think she's all innocent but I've caught her signs. She's quiet but her eyes give her away. The stuff I do that turns her on is so random, basic even, like swallowing, opening a damn jar, reaching an item too high for her, or driving my car. Gives me so much to tease her about because I like pushing her buttons, especially calling her babe.

"It's also good for muscle cramps." She wiggles her legs back and forth nervously while toying the collar of my jersey, her eyes tracing my neck.

"Like massages?" I lick my lower lip and she looks at me through her eyelashes, then down for a second.

"Thanks for the patient education, babe." I cockily grin and she shuts her eyes quickly.

I cup her butt and she giggles, opening her eyes and giving me a Jaylan look so I give her a Lizzie look. Her ass fits so nicely in the palms of my hands, almost like a basketball.

Damn, I should compare sometime.

"Jaylan." She covers her face as I pat her butt like a drum, left and right.

"Thank you for coming tonight sweetheart." I peck her lips and she curls them up inward to be funny. I tap her butt and she squeals, grunting softly. She shuts her eyes quickly and I kiss her cheek, which in all honesty is my favorite place, squishy and just edible. She pulls back, flickering her eyes into mine and pinches my cheek playfully.

"You feeling okay?" I ask and she softly hums.

With my free hand's thumb, I take her chin to look at me.

"No," she answers honestly, looking down.

"Is there anything I can do to make it better?" I brush my knuckles softly on her face.

She flickers her eyes back up and back down to the ground. "I don't know."

Even though there is much rowdiness around us, silence fills the space between us. She holds her hand on her elbow and I stroke her temple. She nibbles her lip and I kiss her cheek again. She toys with my collar, tracing her finger and thinking in that nurse brain of what she wants to say. I pull her tighter into me and she lets out the softest whimper.

"I wish you could," she softly whispers into my ear, drawing my arms around her tightly.

"Well, Nurse Lizzie. Cuddling with your significant other relieves anxiety and strengthens the immune system," I tease, cracking a smile on her face as she pulls back.

"Maybe." She sinks her teeth in her lower lip.

"Maybe, how can I make it, yes?" I tickle her, making that musical giggle erupt from her lips.

She shrugs and I tickle her more until her head tips back and louder giggles hit my ears.

"Let her breathe Jaylan." A familiar voice pulls a smile across my face and I look up to see Aunt Lisa all fashioned out with Maryland gear and wow, Uncle Steve nicely put together with his plain Maryland shirt and jeans. Thank God he is not wearing the damn flannel with it, but a quick look down shows his socks are up for a damn flood.

Lizzie leans in to kiss my cheek. Her lips touch my ear, shivering my spine. She giggles. "We can talk about it later."

"Oh, it's a date." I hold my hand out like I'm surprised.

She giggles, shaking her head and turns around to see Aunt Lisa with Naya wiggling out of her grip to get to Alexis. Uncle Steve set down little Malachi, who is sprinting to Lizzie at this point. Hmm, I guess Jacob went back to his dad.

Behind them is Jordy's Mom and new boyfriend David, both with huge smiles. Jordy comes over, picking his mom up, spinning her around. With a laugh, she smacks his arms because he is about to give her motion sickness. I give David a nod and he sends a quick wave, then takes a picture of Jordy's mom between him and his cutout. I personally don't see why Jordy's parents are not together but I can understand what they had to endure with Andrew was enough to rip the strongest family apart.

Malachi wraps his tiny arms around Lizzie's leg, making that sweet laughter music to my ears. "Hi Malachi." She rubs his back.

Aunt Lisa quickly strides over to Lizzie and Lizzie steps forward out of my hold leaving my body cold.

"Hi, my favorite new child!" Aunt Lisa pulls Lizzie into a big hug and the sight just warms my heart. Aunt Lisa pulls back and swings their hands together back and forth. Uncle Steve roughly messes with Lizzie hair as a love greeting and walks over to me.

"Hi." Her innocent act fools them both.

"How is the birthday boy, look at you all dressed up tonight," I roast Uncle Steve.

He waves his hand, dismissing me, and I throw my head back in laughter. Aunt Lisa completely forgets about me and begins a conversation with Lizzie. Uncle Steve comes over and playfully puts me in a headlock. "That's for telling your aunt to throw away my New Balances."

I cackle as he's worn them things since I was in high school until his feet were about to burst through the seams.

"UNCLE STEVE!" Jordy comes over, wrapping his arms around his neck

"Jordy, if you don't get off me boy," Uncle Steve grumbles with a smile.

"Why do you act like you don't like us?" I tease, dapping Uncle Steve.

He presses his lips giving Jordy a playful shove but Marcus annoyingly wraps his arm around his neck. "Unc, when you giving away this chain?" Marcus roasts Uncle Steve's Michael Jordan rusted chain that my grandfather gave to him when they got to see him play for the Wizards.

Man, they are lucky.

"Marcus, come back to me when you can afford a chain like mine." Uncle Steve deadpans provoking a roar of laughter from the team including Coach.

"But Grandpa bought that." I grin arrogantly and Uncle Steve lifts his hand like he is going to slap the back of my head. I cackle and Aunt Lisa shifts her eyes to us, shaking her head at our banter.

"Should I soul train, electric slide down, or dab walking you out for this thing?" Uncle Steve dabs, making all the guys laugh at him.

I palm my forehead but Uncle Steve since I remember always likes to live with the youth. He was the first one to learn how to do all the latest dances during the VINE stage of life. He was the cool uncle... the father I deserved and not the one that was given.

"Neither." I chuckle, shaking my head and taking a sip of my Gatorade. My attention diverts over Coach T, walking and observing on his iPad, probably trying to figure out how to control the game. Surprisingly, he didn't give us the 'if you fuck up, I'm going to fuck you up' speech.

"ALL RIGHT, after walking through senior night, just sit on the bench and we huddle there. Oh, you knuckle heads need to thank these two young ladies for giving you guys a treat. If it were me, I would give y'all air."

Uncle Steve laughs at his old teammate and brother.

"Thank youuuu," I begin, teasing Lizzie who becomes red as a rose.

The guys shout and Alexis shakes her head at all the nonsense, kissing Hollis' cheek. Since tonight is the first night his family is meeting Alexis, his mom eyes the both of them. She smiles politely, observing their banter, while his mom's boyfriend is eyeing Alexis in an inappropriate way. The way he's looking at her ass, I know his head is filled with thoughts that Hollis would murder him for giving him another reason.

"How's your ankle?" Uncle Steve asks, observing my right foot.

"It's okay." I raise it up and rotate a few circles. "Just keeping up with PT."

"Good, you owe me about seven thousand dollars," he jokes, I think.

"Owe you?" I play along.

"You think that first check belongs to you? Past-due rent, Jaylan." Uncle Steve smiles and I just laugh, shaking my head. In reality, I'm definitely sharing fifty percent with them all the way.

"How does it feel to be fifty?" I smugly grin, taking a sip of my Gatorade again. "Can you see the other side of the hill or did you just fall down it?"

"I don't know what you're talking about." He slants his eyes and I smirk bigger, swishing the Gatorade in my mouth.

"Don't tell me it's the new thirty."

"You want your other ankle broken," he grumbles.

I throw my head back and he furrows his bushy brows at me.

Uncle Steve's voice turns serious. "All jokes aside Jaylan, I'm glad you are doing okay. You are, right?"

Am I doing okay? That's a statement I frequently forget to ask myself, when I'm so used to blocking grief in my heart. If I could be truthful. I want to be okay but I just don't know what that looks like.

"Things are Gucci." I smirk up and Uncle Steve presses his lips at me deflecting.

"You know Aunt Lisa and I are here for you if you need anything, Jay." He ignores my deflect and pats my shoulder

I nod, taking one last swig and hoping down from the counter top.

"I know," I softly say, when a familiar blonde and Testudo come walking in. Ava's tits couldn't be out anymore in her small cheer top. I roll my eyes at the fact she constantly wants attention to herself. I stand up straight and go over to Lizzie, who's overly excited about something. I reach down, wanting to grab her waist but Aunt Lisa presses a hand into my chest.

"Let her breathe, anyway Lizzie I will definitely do that next time with my rice. Who knew that's what you did to get flavor," Aunt Lisa acts annoyed with me and smiles back at Lizzie.

"I can't touch my girl?"

Lizzie's face gets so red, it matches the M-decal on the floor. Aunt Lisa gasps in excitement of the reveal. "Really!?" she puppy dogs eyes the both of us.

"Yup." I lean down to kiss my permanent spot on Lizzie's face.

"When did this happen, Jay?" She hits my shoulder, well, I don't feel if that was a hit, and Lizzie giggles.

"Well, I would like to say the beginning of January but Lizzie will fight me, so Sunday."

Lizzie looks at me away, just admiring me. She's almost turning me on a bit with how her eyelashes flutter a bit.

"You can escape now, Lizzie," Uncle Steve jokes. "We'll distract him."

Lizzie puts her hands up, moving her shoulders up and down.

"Nah, I won't let her." I kiss the top of her head and Aunt Lisa coos. Lizzie pushes her body backwards when Ava comes close to us. The way Lizzie curls against my side normally would make me smile but the way she's shrinking back pulls a frown on my face.

"Oh, Hi Mrs. Lisa," Ava's voice heightens, making me cringe.

"Oh. Hi, Ashley, right?" Aunt Lisa smiles and Ava retrains from clenching her jaw but smiles.

"Ava," she politely corrects.

"Right," Aunt Lisa's eyes narrow. "How is your dad doing?"

Dang, Aunt Lisa.

"He's good. You know, busy with getting ready for the next campaign." Ava smiles and glances at me.

"I'm sure," Uncle Steve grumbles, and Aunt Lisa elbows him.

Ava's smile falters slightly but she flicks her eyes up to me."Well, I just wanted to let you guys know that we will be on in four minutes, so I just wanted to sneak Jaylan away early."

"I'll send him out." Aunt Lisa waves a hand at Ava, diminishing tonight with whatever plans she might have.

I hear Alexis giggle at the exchange and I know Maxine's laughing out loud with her damn Boston laugh all the way from Iowa.

"Okay... " Ava looks at the both of us and longer at Lizzie, who is now legit tucked under my armpit.

I hate that shit. She has no reason to fear her because I will not stand for Ava making her feel less than she is.

Ava spins her heel, tugging Testudo by clenching on to his shell and dragging him out the doors. I shake my head and Lizzie looks up at me with a sparkle in her eyes. "Can we cuddle tonight?"

The thought just stiffens me to a rock and I clear my throat at the idea I'm walking out bricked up from just four words. "Yes, of course." I lean down, kissing her temple.

"I'll see you after the game." She smiles warmly.

"Hold that sign up as high as you can," I tease.

She shakes her head because she thought I didn't see her standing on her tippy toes above some dude blocking her view.

"Come on, Pookie," Alexis teases, wrapping her arm around Lizzie's neck.

Pookie?

"Hey, that's my nickname," Hollis grumbles and Lizzie giggles.

"It was mine first," she tosses back at him. "Get a new one."

"Sorry." Alexis blows a kiss at Hollis, squeezing Naya one last time and handing her back to Aunt Lisa.

"It's nice seeing you again, Alexis," Hollis' mom waves at her. Hollis' shoulders relax, knowing Alexis in her good graces, which means a lot to him.

The two walk away and I laser my focus on Lizzie's ass switching back and forth for me. In two seconds, the back of my head stings from the smack from Aunt Lisa.

"Have some respect for her!" she chides me, eyes blazing. "She is not some toy."

"Alright, dang." I rub one hand over the sore spot.

Marcus puts his hand over his heart, throws his head back and laughs loudly.

"I'm not sure what you're laughing at, Marcus Daniel.," Aunt Lisa points her finger at him, making him grin. "The things I hear from Maxine turn my hair white."

"Who are we walking out tonight?" Uncle Steve beams big and Marcus raises his hand, along with Xavier.

"Jaylan, you walking by yourself?" he teases and I roll my eyes.

We all head out to the tunnel and honestly I never imagined this moment would happen again without my mom. She would have loved these things, to show off her baby boy while wearing her best outfit. Small things like this mess with my heart in a way I can't explain and I didn't think it would but it does. You don't realize you need your mom for things, especially moments like these.

"I'm proud of you Jaylan." Uncle Steve smiles, causing my eyes to blur. "Evie would be too."

My shoes softly squeak onto the floor, a sound I've heard countless times. The black of the arena surrounds, except for the spotlight on the tunnel and glow from phones. My heart beats hard in my chest and my throat tightens. I've stepped onto this floor but I'm torn between ready to take on my last game and never wanting tonight to end.

"And now give a loud shout out for our Captain and Point Guard, number eleven, Jaylan Parkerrrrrrr." the announcer invokes a loud roar from the stadium.

Aunt Lisa bumps her elbow into my arm, rubbing it up and down with her hand. I take a deep breath as we walk out to the large stadium. Uncle Steve proudly waves like they are cheering for him. Naya and Malachi in their arms, shyly holding on to them. We all wave and the cheers continue to roar, making warmth spread across my chest that everyone is here to support me.

The one person who never supports me is standing in the bleachers, toothpick and all, glaring at what he could have built with me. He continues to glare at us, taking a photo together for Instagram and walks out the stadium. I don't think he'll ever admit he wants to do this because he's too prideful.

🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀

Laughter fills Brickhouse Pizza as Lizzie giggles at another poor dad joke from Uncle Steve. Lizzie leans her head on my shoulder and looks up to me. I lean to kiss on the lips but she playfully moves. She is about one sticker away y'all.

"Wow Jaylan five rebounds tonight, trying to beat my record," Uncle Steve boasts, looking through his Android.

"He could never," Marcus teases, taking a slice of his Pizza.

"Never get my socks up that high," I tease Uncle Steve. "I wear mine below my knees."

"Don't knock superstitions," he tosses back. "Maybe if you'd pulled yours up higher then you would've landed a few more dunks this season."

I suck my teeth and all the guys laugh, including Lizzie. No matter how much I'm on the roasting seat, it's just love.

I don't think I can ask for anything else for a moment like this and I just wish it would last like this forever. It's scary to think about how soon after there won't be team meals like this much, considering we are all going in different directions. I hate to think about our brotherhood dispersing but it's coming soon after March. It makes me wonder what this anti vegetable abolitionist has got up her sleeve.

I kiss her forehead and she flutters her eyes up at me curiously and snuggles into my arms more.

"Can you believe it's our last home game of the season?" Jordy sighs, shaking a lot of red pepper flakes on his pizza.

"It's wild to think about," Marcus agrees, taking another bite.

Lizzie stiffens a bit but I rub her arm softly which makes her ease.

"And you guys better not come home without my March Madness champions shirt." Uncle Steve mentions.

"Yeah, I wasn't going to say but yours was getting a little small," I tease, taking a sip of my Dos Equis. I could feel Lizzie's eyes burning my hand with just the simple action of how I hold my beer. I breathe a chuckle in her ear and she squirms a bit.

Too easy.

Everyone roars a laugh at the table and Uncle Steve presses his lips at me. He's lucky I didn't point out the armpit stains from how often he wears it.

"At least I got one," he clips back and everyone oooo's at the table, including me.

I suck my teeth and hand him his gift. Lizzie helped me put it together Wednesday evening. It's a canvas with the words Uncle Steve written in collage photos of us throughout the years, including with my mom. Lizzie said it was simple and cherishable to have something like this.

Uncle Steve rubs his hands together and unwraps the Happy Birthday wrapping paper neatly done by Lizzie too. He pulls it out and smiles big with glossy eyes scanning through it all. With a quiet hum, he turns it around shows the table

"Aww." Alexis pokes her lip, leaning into Hollis.

"Jaylan, that's so sweet," Aunt Lisa coos and points to a photo probably of when Uncle Steve and I went fishing.

"Aww remember this one, gosh what happened?" Aunt Lisa continues to coo, pointing as Uncle Steve smiles, pointing at another one.

Since finding all the photos on my phone took a long time, Lizzie looks up at me giving me the "see" look and I chuckle, kissing her forehead.

"I know this was half your doing, or more like all, so thank you Lizzie for this," Uncle Steve jokes, trying to push back his tears.

"I really like the Halloween one," Lizzie adds, grinning up a storm at Uncle Steve and I being peanut butter and jelly.

"The dynamic duo," Aunt Lisa continues to smile.

"Thank you Jaylan." With his eyes still shiny, Uncle Steve presses one hand into his chest.

"Anytime, Old Man." I cockily smile and he groans, refusing to believe he hit the big 5-0.

"I may be fifty but I still got my March Madness ring:" He takes a last roast to say he loves me.

I love him too.

"Okay, you too," Aunt Lisa calms the table down and Lizzie taps me and she holds up her phone for a photo on snapchat.

I swipe to get to the big mouth filter and she takes it. I place my hand on Lizzie's thigh, rubbing down and she snuggles up more. I notice her phone flashes with an incoming call from Papa and she swipes Ignore.

It flashes again and she mumbles something in Spanish. She moves out my grip and leaves my body cold. She walks to the back part, thankfully where I'm still in view to make sure no chump tries to try anything. As the background of chatter dims in my ears, my focus stays on Lizzie. Waving her hands and shaking her head, I hear her tiny voice raise and strain. My heart twinges as I see her tiny left foot stomp and swipe a tear under her eye.

I don't like seeing any of this in my sunshine but I have to realize, like she said, everyone can be sad too. I was about to get up but Alexis sneaks away and goes over to Lizzie, who whimpers in Spanish and turns her back. Alexis gently pushes her into the bathroom.

Damn. Second time in twenty-four hours, now I'm worried.

"Jaylan, I really like Elizabeth. She's so sweet," Aunt Lisa breaks my trance.

I return her smile. "Oh thanks, you do?"

"Of course. Out of all those crazy girls you would bring, she seems... genuine." She rolls her eyes.

The compliment buried in her insult makes me smile tightly. Aunt Lisa is right, Lizzie is genuine. She seems like she cares about me being happy, which I'm still not used to but want her to know I want to be the same for her as well.

"Especially that governor's daughter, the audacity," Uncle Steve grumbles.

Marcus chuckles, sipping his Budweiser. "That's definitely the truth."

I roll my eyes at the thought of Ava coming into our home. I definitely don't know what I was thinking.

"Just take it easy with Lizzie, please," Aunt Lisa requests quietly and I nod. "That one has a heart of gold and you'd better not tarnish it, Jaylan."

"I am," I assure her because I've never tried harder in that area.

"Well, I guess I'll get the check," Uncle Steve sighs but I shake my head.

"Jaylan." Aunt Lisa gives me the same look as Lizzie.

"What? It's my treat," I insist.

"I'll take the treat." Uncle Steve grins.

I shake my head and Aunt Lisa sighs, giving me a look that clearly questions if I'm paying from PJ-funded money, but I don't want her to have to worry because this is honest money. Under Armor just sent a five hundred dollar check, just for posting one photo of the new school merch.

"Jaylan, you don't have to spend money on us," Aunt Lisa softly says but I shake my head, ignoring her plea.

"Malachi, say tough luck." I look over to my right at Malachi, who's biting down on a square kid pizza. He mumbles the words and I laugh, throwing my head back.

As bittersweet these last games are, part of me can't wait for the next level. That first paycheck is going to change our lives, for the better.

My eyes catch sight of Lizzie and Alexis, whose arm is around her playfully tugging her back over. Lizzie's eyes are light brown, the duller brown I don't like to see in her eyes because it just wrecks me every time. She tucks her phone back in her pocket and takes a deep breath.

Without a word, she sits back next to me, moving my arm the wrap around her being spoiled but that's okay. I chuckle, rubbing her shoulder and kissing her forehead. Aunt Lisa not at all discreetly tries to take a photo of us. I chuckle and motion the waiter over to get the check.

"You ready to go?" I look at Lizzie and she nods, looking up at me with those sparkling eyes.

"Yeah and I'll take that offer tonight," she says softly.

"Oh yeah?" I smirk and she giggles, slightly banging her head on my arm.

"Yeah, that's what boyfriend and girlfriends do," just like that, her bossy Nurse Lizzie voice is back.

"There is a lot that boyfriends and girlfriends do," I whisper in her ear and she grabs my hand roughly, well, roughly for her, pulling my fingers.

Don't do that Lizzie.

"I've got plans." She giggles, drawing my interest.

"What kind of plans?" I arch an eyebrow at her because I have no idea what is running through that overplanning mind.

"A game..." She traces her fingers over my tattoos. The light, soft contact tickles and warms my skin.

Fuck.

"Waiter!" I call out.

Edited and spiced up by still_just_me