Lizzie is ten stars away from getting a spanking of a lifetime.

The nerves in my hand tingle at the memory of the connection of my hand to her bare, smooth ass. The sound, the feeling, the sight... Fuck, I can't get hard right now.

I shift in the black plastic bucket seat as my eyes look down at the women's team warming up for the game tonight.

Looking at Ginger Demon, who is in her zone, making an easy shot. If she knew about The Cereal Killer's antics, then she would lose her damn mind.

The Little Cereal Day Celebrator has been living on the edge since her guardians are up here, including me.

Don't get me started on her wearing her tight shirt, making her breast strain and showing off her belly ring in that Gimme a Smack shirt in the cafeteria. Now, when college students hear about free cereal, of course they would come but most of the male college students were coming to see MY girlfriend passing out cereal with the cafeteria workers. Thank God my good friends Tommy and Corey were looking out for me and keeping tabs on her. They said she even poured milk for all those jokers like she was waitressing.

Is anyone else's girlfriend extra or is it just mine?

And the little Coco Puff Queen yesterday wore this peanut costume hugging every curve. Her belly ring was showing in the peanut crop top she had matching with a red sequin, mid-thigh skirt. She said she was going for the peanut sales guy at the circus.

I mean, not going to lie, the photo was fucking hot but my girlfriend is beautiful regardless of what she wears. Lizzie sure enough out did herself with the actual sign she made and handed out freshly made peanut clusters at her apartment complex before she went to work. I swear, every guy looked at her like she was edible with all the snaps I was getting from the baseball team.

She is really going to be the death of me. I don't know how Maxine and Alexis do it.

With Lizzie's big heart, she saw nothing wrong with it but now I see why Maxine and Alexis fought hard to protect her because UMD guys are ruthless.

Letting out an arrogant grin, I chuckle thinking about Wednesday night. I told her she was going to get a big stomach ache from eating four different boxes of cereal. I stayed up with her as it went away, holding back my 'I told you so' smile. My girlfriend is something else, I tell ya.

I love her. 

Smirking, I fold my arms, looking down at my black Nike Airs. Man, I really love her.

Each day we are separated, the more my heart can't deny what I feel scary deep within. I'm in love with Elizabeth Maria Lucero.

There, I said it.

I thought it was immature to fall so quickly for her but... All she has given me is her pure self and continues to give that to me, allowing me room to be myself. I can't help but stay up at night thinking about her. She is the first thing on my mind when I wake up and the last thought before I go to bed.

I do want to know what she is going to celebrate next, or how stressed she is in nursing school, or how she is feeling about her family.

I also wonder if she feels the same way.

Am I in too deep or am I on the right path here? I mean, for fuck's sake, she's staying with my aunt and uncle this weekend and they are nothing but thrilled for her to be there. However, I told Uncle Steve she isn't cooking so he might as well forget any meal requests. Aunt Lisa agrees.

Shaking my head laughing how they still have leftovers, I shift over looking at Marcus' laser focus on Maxine, who's pointing aggressively at her small forward and tossing the ball back at her. Maxine is serious about this game because they are playing Delaware University tonight.

"Bro, I know all of them are going to be ready to win this and be done." Xavier laughs, popping a popcorn in his mouth and smirking at Maxine displaying an easy shot at the three point line.

Tonight, we have off after securing a spot after our game yesterday with University of Michigan and tomorrow we play fucking UNC. Fucking hate them. Marcus wanted to see Maxine play tonight because this is a big women's team as well a win secures their spot in the Sweet Sixteen.

"She wants to win," Marcus vouches with an impression in his voice.

"They've won like, what, three trophies now? Let us have our turn," Jordy grumbles.

"Well, if ya keep your arms up, we can get there," Taylor teases, and I suck my teeth.

"Or if you don't slip getting your ankles broken we can," I roast back.

Marcus laughs and shakes his head, watching Coach T's wife snatch the ball from Maxine and point at her to leave everyone alone and worry about her.

"Coach T and Coach Erin BELONG together." Xavier laughs, as his attention is drawn to a few girls sitting a row ahead of us.

He leans forward to them, while my radiator is screaming jersey chasers. I watch as he schmoozes over them and Marcus shakes his head at his poor game and I do too. Jordy hops a seat down, joining in and smiling up a storm at the attention they are giving them.

I fold my hands over my chest, which reminds me... Time to tease my little peanut. Pulling out my phone, I snap a picture of a thumbs up, from an angle that shows both my rings up close and the court in the background.

Me: [ photo ]

Typing up a message, I notice the empty seat on the other side of me. "Where is Hollis?" I ask, because he's been raving about watching Maxine sweat tonight on Delaware's new transfer point guard from NYU anddddd a hookup gone wrong.

"Uhh..." Marcus grins. "He said he was coming but Alexis came to our door and, well... They'll probably be here for the second half." We laugh in agreement.

Music begins to play in the arena and the jumbotrons turn on. Marcus gets up and hops a few stairs, going right on to the court with a death wish at hand. He gets behind Maxine, gripping her waist, spinning her around. She flails like a dead fish because he's showing a public display of affection.

Trying to tune out the loud, Boston, hyena screeches in my ears, I glance down at my phone to see a text from Lizzie. Instead of reading what it says, I press the facetime button, waiting for it to ring when it begins to connect.

A smile pulls up at my lips at Lizzie with a buffalo wild wings crown big on her head. "What's up, Wing Queen?"

She giggles, dipping her chin down and showing a big ass beer tower with a few nursing students around a bar table chatting away. The big TV screens show several basketball games and the liveliness of BDUBS tonight. It's actually good seeing Lizzie out and about without the northern big wigs glued to her side.

My eyes focus, making sure that Hollister boy is nowhere in sight and thank goodness he isn't. "You drinking that?" I tease. "It's bigger than your torso, Lizzie."

"No way, I'm driving," she states like the good girl she is. She holds up her kids cup lemonade rattling the ice. Of course she got a crazy straw and I grin at her.

"What are you doing at BDUBS?" I inspect, still trying to make sure Hollister boy ain't around.

"Oh, well, Jessica and a few of us nursing students came to see Max play tonight. And also celebrate the test we just passed... It was so hard." She beams, propping her phone up on something so I can get a full view of her outfit.

She has Big Red's practice jersey on, although it looks like a stretched tight dress on Lizzie's curves, and her hair is curly but clipped up, probably in her butterfly clip. Her face looks so flawless as always, naturally beautiful with minimal makeup. The added small gold earrings highlight her face even more in the ambient lighting. Her head tilts down with her crown falling off her head. She catches it and I see her other hand moving back and forth. She is busy doodling on probably a kids activity coloring page.

Jordy likes those too.

"Are you going to wear my jersey tomorrow?" I tease and she crinkles her nose at me.

"Jaylan, it's Corn Dog Day tomorrow and I have shirts made for Aunt Lisa and Uncle Steve so... Maybe next game." She crushes my ego with her small foot with power.

"Well, damn." I breathe out a chuckle.

"Jaylan, language," Lizzie scolds me, not looking at me and still coloring.

A few giggles come in the background near her phone and her furrowed brows relax as her shoulders move up and down giggling.

"My bad." I lick my lower lip, flashing a smile when one of her eyes peeks up and shoots back down at her paper. Smiling, she sinks her teeth in.  "Stop." The flash of pink across her cheeks curls my lips higher.

"What you are so beautiful." I tease.

She grunts softly and I throw my head back and cackle. My attention is drawn offscreen, as Marcus comes jogging up with a smile for torturing Max as they go back to get ready to get introduce the teams. He's still walking, so thankfully she didn't break his legs. Fans begin to filter in with Maryland and Delaware or March Madness Merchandise. 

"HEYYYYY!" Marcus sticks his head in the facetime chat.

"Oh, hi Marcus!" Lizzie beams.

"What's up, on snap you at Bdubs!" he hypes her up and observes her surroundings.

She nods happily. "You did a really good job playing last night, Marcus."

"Aww thanks, did you like us wearing the peanut socks?" He places his hand over his heart.

"Yes, it was so cool! Everyone saw it," her voice heightens.

Yeah, Lizzie got us to wear the peanut socks for peanut cluster day and honestly... I think I'll keep doing traditions just for her.

"I told them my best friend gave them to me," Marcus gloats, smiling right in my face.

I suck my teeth, moving the phone a bit so his face is half cut off and Lizzie draws her eyebrows together at me.

"Oh my gosh, he is so hot!" A female voice giggles in the background near Lizzie, making her cheeks redden like the crayon she is holding. Marcus' ego blows his head up as if he's still got it but everyone knows on campus that Maxine and him are dating... except for her acknowledging it.

"Thank you," he teases, leaning back in, and a couple of girls whisper in the background.

Lizzie furrows her brows as both Marcus and I smiles shine real big. "Lizzie, you want to see the court?"

She nods happily, almost knocking the hat right off and making me chuckle at her. I flip the camera around, showing the arena where news reporters and photographers roam the courts as more fans filter in.

"Wow, front row," she sounds so amazed.

"Yeah and right here..." I point at the court. "Is our confetti kiss spot."

"Our confetti kiss." She hums in delight.

I know Lizzie has been working and picking up shifts because she really wants to come see me. I also know I need to tell her soon I bought her ticket so she doesn't overwork herself or feel like she needs to. Plus, knowing her, she is going to want to pack and get our itinerary ready for the two days after to spend with each other. 

I'll tell her tomorrow when she's with Uncle Steve and Aunt Lisa, after the game.  Which, if we win, then we will make the Sweet Sixteen already, which is crazy to think about right now.

"Will they have the school colors?" she says in the most genuine way.

Marcus pokes out his lower lip playfully like a girl and I smile at Lizzie's soft brown doe eyes. I flip the camera around and stand up to stretch my legs a bit. "Of course they will, for your Pinterest," I tease.

She makes another hum sound and spreads warmth to my chest. "I wish it would come true."

"Wishes come true." I wink at her and she dips her chin down with soft, furrowing brows.

A few more coos around her make me laugh as her cheeks become the soft pink I like on her face.  Lizzie last night on our deepest darkest secrets admissions under the covers with blankets over our heads and a flashlight she had Alexis give me.

She told me about how she threw a penny in the McKeldin Mall Fountain and I will keep the secret to my grave because she threatened I will never see her naked again. I take that seriously. Just to think the little rebel cause so much commotion last year. I heard some dude light a wooden stick and lit it on fire according to Jordy.

The music becomes louder around the arena as fans settle in and get highlighted on the jumbotron. I know Lizzie will be excited about the dance camera like the one at school when she danced with Alexis at Senior Night.  As much as I could stay on the phone with Lizzie for hours, I wouldn't be able to hear because of the noise rising and I'm on twenty three percent. 

"The game's about to start, babe, so I'll talk to you later, okay?"

"Okay," she softens her voice, breaking my heart into Skittles. Damn, I sound like her now.

Silence filters around us and, in my peripheral vision, Marcus is smugly grinning because he knows three particular words are on the tip of my tongue but I don't want to say it right now, considering the right time I'm going to say it is when she gets that confetti kiss. My eyes memorize her face one more time as she does the same but her eyes shift, whispering 'what?' to someone across from her. She giggles, shakes her head, and looks right at me again, adjusting her Buffalo Wild Wings crown.

"Every neuron of my being aches for you." Lizzie giggles, breaking the silence with a few giggles 

The comment alone warms my whole body as the neurons are accepting what she just said with pure intentions. "Every neuron of my being aches for you too Doc... and we both know I have more of them."

She lets out a soft smile and waves goodbye and hangs up. Damn, my heart aches right now.

Damn.

"Just say it already." Marcus laughs, arrogantly grinning.

"I'm not going to say it when she's around her friends in a bar."

""Every neuron of my being aches for you," he mocks with a big grin and I suck my teeth but chuckle after.

"Yo, you are so soft for her, your ego goes right out the window." He chuckles.

"Is that a problem?"

"Nah, the look on you now looks good on you but don't show it on the court," he teases.

"Man, fuck you." I laugh, which shakes my attention back at the crowd filtering around me.

A  tall, familiar, olive-skinned man walks in, holding a baby carrier, with a little redheaded child clasping onto his hands and a blonde right behind. They all sit down right in the front row, court side. He flicks up his wrist, flexing his golden Rolex but what he really needs is silver cuffs. The blonde swipes her hair and takes the little baby boy with ear sound muffs, holding him right to her chest.

Oh shit.

I hope Marcus doesn't see... Don't see... Don't look, man, don't look.

They sit comfortably, like a happy, little family, which we all know is not a happy, little family one bit. Maxine's offspring, and my god daughter, is a spitting image of her. The bright ginger hair, long limbs, and piercing green eyes but her personality is the complete opposite. It almost reminds me of Lizzie right now as she is looking through the March Madness magazine of all the players tonight who are playing. She smiles, pointing to Maxine's photo and her spawn of a father moves her finger away.

She looks down, twists her lips, and looks right at the photo again.

I swallow the lump in my throat because I know tonight is going to either go two ways. Maxine is going to play her heart out of all the emotions she has on the court and her stats are going to show it for sure. I couldn't imagine what it would be like if PJ sat right on the front row, watching me play. I mean it's happened before but here... Man, I probably have so many stats, more or less for fouls than anything.

My eyes catch notice at two familiar brunette men who hold hands, wearing Maxine jerseys and coming into the front row. That has to be Tyler, with his sharp, green eyes narrowing as he passes Chris. Tyler catches notice of Marcus and I painfully look over at him, who's staring at his phone and intently texting his mom. He's probably asking how things are at home since his sperm donor is finally out of the house.

"Marcus!" Tyler calls out and I sink down in my seat.

Marcus looks up and sees the guy waving at him and happily holding the other guy's hand. His face can't register who they are at first but a smile pulls on to his lips and he waves them to come over.

They happily come over to us and I keep my focus on her... Noelle is in her own world, just looking around in wonder like Lizzie would.

"Tyler, right?" Marcus reaches his hand out to shake it.

"Yes, and this is Brent, my husband." He beams and looks up at him with pride.

"Nice to meet you both finally." Marcus shakes Brent's hand, straightening up and putting on his best impression.

"Wow, Max really found a really nice, well-mannered one. How are you still holding on with my big-headed sister?" Tyler grins, making Marcus chuckle.

I chuckle too, shaking my head at the compliment and they look at me, making me curl my lip in.

"Jaylan, it's good to see you again" Tyler smiles at me with adoration.

Last time I saw Tyler was with Aunt Lisa and Uncle Steve, when we went to Boston for a little vacation during fall break in Sophomore year. We went to Noelle's little church program and Tyler cooked for the party afterwards because he didn't feel welcome. I didn't think that was right, so I stayed behind and helped him or, well, just watched him and his husband gossip about his family drama.

Wait a damn minute... was Lizzie there?

Furrowing my brows, I begin to calculate any idea if I did see Lizzie or not. Holding my hand out, I begin to calculate with my fingers, trying to figure out how Maxine played Houdini as Tyler and his Husband Brent get settled.

"So, Mister soon to be an NBA star who is dating my little baby sister. Such a small world. Awww, is she here? I miss Lizzie to pieces, I have to thank her for the wedding gift." Tyler is oozing in admiration of my girlfriend, breaking my calculations.

Of course Lizzie would make a good wedding gift.

His voice makes my heart sink thinking how Lizzie would have already been overwhelmed with wanting to talk to Noelle and Tyler.

"Noooo, she's back in Maryland for nursing school," my voice softens, cracking a smile.

"Aww is she going to be able to come at all?" Brent's eyes soften.

"Yeah, I bought her a ticket for her to come up to see both of our games for the Final Four." I rub the back of my neck.

"That is so sweet," Tyler coos. "Wait Marcus, you declared for the draft too, right?" Tyler shifts the conversation with his short attention span. 

"Both of them are actually, Ty" His husband Brent politely says and Tyler presses his lips at him, just like his sister.

"Me too!" Jordy says from still trying to schmooze the girls around them, making their eyes brighten.

"Congratulations to all of you. Is my queen Alexis coming?" Tyler smiles, looking at each of us and around the crowd.

"Uhh.... She should be with Hollis." I check my phone but no messages from Hollis yet.

Glad he can get stress relief. Hollis has been having a massive relapse with his bulimia from all the photography and press. I've been trying to see if there is like an Eaters Anonymous chapter we could go to while we are here. But I haven't had any luck. However, the positive body affirmations have been helping. I found them on... yes... Pinterest.

"Oooh, I can't wait to meet her New Yorker, she's been telling me all about him, but i'm not sure why she is interested in a New Yorker," Tyler preaches, rolling his eyes.

Marcus and I both laugh, shaking her head because if this isn't Maxine's sibling, I don't know who is. Brent and Tyler both sit comfortably down as Brent wraps his arm right around Tyler but he turns around. "So, you're still on for dinner with us tonight?"

"Of course, that's if your sister is in the mood," I mumble quietly, hoping Marcus doesn't see Chris.

"Yeah, she might be in a mood considering Chris is here," Tyler spills the beans, glaring at Chris looking at his watch.

Marcus' fist balls up and Tyler reaches for it. "I know what you're feeling and honestly, but he only came because Noelle wanted to see her play and it's her visitation this month."

Marcus' shoulders relax a bit and he starts scanning around to look for her.

"You'll get to meet her, she is great," Brent vouches.

Noelle is great.

"So, how did you meet my sister anyway?" Tyler beams really big anyway.

I turn my attention to Marcus and tilt my head a bit with a big smirk. "We were playing basketball at a court near the college in my freshmen year. She pulled over and criticized my three point stance and ever since then she has been on my ass about it." Marcus laughs and so does Tyler.

That's an understatement about her being on his ass. I will never forget the fiery redhead storming on the court with a whole bunch of melanin men. A white girl yanking the ball out of Marcus' six foot seven hands, telling him that he was a disgrace, and she better hope he isn't playing on the basketball team looking like that. With confidence, she made the shot clearly, making all of us so in awe at that moment and a bit scared of her Boston temper. However Marcus, he's been smitten since.

Damn it, I wonder if Lizzie was watching from afar in the jeep.

"Sounds like Big Shot Nancy," Tyler teases, glancing back at the court.

"OH MY GOD!" A familiar, feminine, Philadelphia voice screeches from behind us.

We turn to Hollis' face looking glowed up and freshened. A smile pulls up on my lips as Alexis hugs into Tyler's arms as they jump up and down. "Look at youuuuu, the glow up!" he admires and looks at Hollis with a relaxed smile.

"Thanks." Alexis blushes as he spins her around.

"WE have so much to talk about," he emphasizes to her and she nods.

The announcer comes on and our attention is drawn to the tunnel where Maxine will come out. "You coming with us?" Marcus whispers and I look over to him.

"Only if you want me to."

Although, I should consider going because I have been a poor Godfather to Noelle lately.

"Yeah." He nodded as a determined look hangs in his eyes. "It'll keep me from decking him in the face."

I breathe a chuckle but I know he is serious.

Come Baby Come Jock Jam roams from the speakers as the black camera spins around the arena. The lights grow dark in the area. Cheers and Whistles echo through the arena directing to the left side of the area. The stage light highlights the tunnel.

"Andddd nowwww, starting from the right side of the court, starting with Delaware Universityyyyyyyyyy"

The crowd roars in excitement as the girls run out with the leading mascot YoUDee dancing in the middle of the court with them to the song of choice.  My eyes couldn't help but shift to Noelle again, who is bouncing to the music dancing but the blonde woman touches her leg to calm her down while rubbing her little brother's back. Noelle sheepishly sits back in her seat as her dad wraps his arm around Noelle's neck pulling her into his arms.

Shaking my head, the music gets louder to Twilight Zone, which makes all of our section and area stand to our feet because that's the UMD women's basketball tunnel song. Not exactly Maxine's favorite song because it's not tough enough but the fans love it.  The stage light highlights to the right side of the gym where we are.  Strobe lights dance around the gym floor.

"AND NOWWW RETURNING CHAMPIONS on the floor once againnnn UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND FIGHTING MIGHTY TERRAPINS!"

If the announcer has any more favoritism, I assume he's wearing a UMD jersey, probably Maxine's too. I shake my head as Jordy leads the howling as all the girls run out with Testudo, who is hyping up the crowd. Everyone claps loudly to the beat of the song. Our school's student section can't be anymore obnoxious about it, all thanks to Jordy.

He is a good cheerleader.

Faded music plays as the lights come back on with all the black cameras floating around to get every angle of the gymnasium. My attention is drawn back to Noelle, who's giddy from seeing her mom. She twitches in her seat, ancy to see if Maxine notices her and the little sign she is holding. Maxine turns with her smile fading while looking over to the crowd at all of us. Her eyes lock on Noelle waving at her with wells of tears in her eyes. She looks down and her shoulders tense up and heaves her chest.

The teams group together as captains assemble at center court.  Marcus shifts in his chair uncomfortable because he knows Maxine is probably feeling it all right now right on the court... right on the therapy couch.

"Why does she look so tough?" Tyler laughs, holding up his phone and zooming in on Maxine's mean mug towards the Delaware point guard.

"She is about to eat that blonde girl alive." Xavier cackles.

'I'm taking bets on the fouls" Jordy waves his hand like a bidder.

"I hope she doesn't get ejected," Marcus grumbles.

His words make us guys all chuckle a bit but the feeling is so intense right now. The atmosphere of family drama is so thick, I almost taste it. Chris remains standing, watching Maxine intently, something probably adding more pressure on her right now. What he has done since she was younger, hounding her to be the best and nothing but the best, has no place on any court. 

I wish he was in fucking jail.

As much I want to tease, my heart is feeling all the emotions for some reason right now. Alexis' attention is drawn to Noelle, who's eagerly standing looking at her mom front in center.

The referee blows the whistle and tosses up the ball. Immediately, Maxine secures the ball like a beast and storms down the court.

It's about to be a good game.

🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀

We all rise to our feet as the basketball is inches from the basket as seconds dwindle down. It easily makes it in with the sound of a swish because a pin could be heard dropped. Maxine bends down on her knees in relief as her team crowds around her. A feeling I know all too well washes over her face...

Relief.

Howls erupt from our side of the section at the most nail biting game but Big Red did it. I knew it... Damn, I gotta beat her record now against UNC tomorrow tonight.

"Looks like you got to break up your points, cap," Hollis teases, adjusting his arm around Alexis, who looks at me.

I smirk, shake my head, and look back up at all the reporters flooding in to speak to both teams. All of them in her face, Maxine keeps her eyes on Noelle as she says a few words.

In her casual attire, a familiar, coffee brown-skinned woman with lengthy legs is accentuated by her expensive high heels. She is speaking into a little microphone to her tv man, pointing to the group circle of Maxine and her staff, with an enormous, luxurious engagement ring sparkling in the gymnasium light.

I shift my eyes before we made any eye contact. My stomach begins to churn, making me shrink in my seat, hoping she will not see me for the rest of this damn tournament because I do not want to face her at all. But if I do... She knows where she stands and that's no longer in my heart ever again.

Gabrielle walks over to Coach Erin and then to a few players, begins to speak, and asks questions. Maxine averts the conversation and starts to move through the reporters politely to get to the other side while Chris stands up like an ass, packing up and playing the mind game he always does with her. Marcus stands up too but I pull him down, shaking my head that now is not the time for a confrontation. 

Noelle waves at Maxine and I guess every Ginger Demon's fiber couldn't keep her away any longer. She pushes through the ground harder, rushing up over to the stands, and goes over to Noelle, hugging her up and swinging her around in circles. A child-like giggle escapes from her, echoing through the arena as chatter and other people leave the arena.

The moment just is very sobering because nothing can separate anyone from a mother's love.  Alexis and Tyler coo at the same time. Warmth spread across my chest because the sacrifices Big Red made to be at UMD cost a price.  Noelle eyes brighten showing off the sign she had and points at her step mom. Maxine's nostrils flare a bit but she looks at Noelle with a big smile. Chris leans into Maxine's ear, brushing shoulders against her and making her step back with Noelle in her arms. Tyler grumbles and looks down at his phone and types something furiously.

"I'm going down there," Marcus says huffing.

"Don't, Maxine's got it," I assure him, pointing at her firmly whispering back at Chris and pointing at Tyler and all of us.

She walks towards the stairs and motions Alexis to come down. Alexis leaps out of her seat and skips down to Maxine and Noelle, where Maxine is kissing her daughter's face over and over again. She's giggling at her love.

Not one of us questions the interaction because we all know what Maxine had to endure in her past.

Coach T goes on to the court, holding on to his wife in happiness, who looks relieved at another nail biting game, and kisses her on the cheek.

This moment is more than just winning the game and that realization hits me unexpectedly hard. A shift is going on and we all feel it. Maxine looks up at where Marcus and I are sitting and she whispers into Noelle's ear, who nods as she points at Maxine's brother. Maxine comes up with a relaxed, familiar therapy session face as her daughter clings onto her.

"Maxxxx, them three pointers though!" Xavier congratulates her.

Normally, she would clip back with a sassy ass comment but only replies with, "Thank you." She softly smiles since her only attention is on Noelle right now.

Xavier looks down and thinks about what he said or why nothing was said back, making me chuckle. Maxine finally approaches Marcus, who rises to his feet. Noelle leans into Maxine, shyly observing Marcus' tall frame covered in tattoos.

"Noey, look. It's Uncle Bigfoot." Maxine playfully points at me.

She giggles and gives a shy wave. I wave back and she shifts her eyes at the overly tattooed man next to me.

"Noelle... this is Mommy's friend Marcus." She points to Marcus and Noelle shyly looks at him.

He waves at her. "Hi."

Maxine laughs, holds Noelle tight, and looks at Marcus with softened eyes, who gives it back to her. "Well, I'm just going to cry," Tyler dramatically breaks up the moment.

My phone vibrates to see the Buffalo Wing Girl texting me.

Giggles🧸: Can you tell Maxy congratulations and give her a hug for me?

That's a big fat no on the hug part, Giggles.

Giggles🧸: She needs one.

The guilt of Lizzie's preschool voice and probably doe eyes heavy my heart as I watch this heavy moment with Maxine and everyone close to her absorbing this moment. Maxine, Marcus, and Noelle all go back down to the court with Alexis holding Maxine's phone to take a photo of them court side.

Do the right thing, Jaylan... Do the right thing.

Every ounce of pride in me tries to hold firm but I know Lizzie's superpower doe eyes are lasering in on my heart like always. I sigh, throwing my head back and Hollis chuckles.

"What's your problem?" he laughs.

"Lizzie wants me to give Maxine a hug." I cringe and Hollis' shoulders move up and down from laughing.

"She deserves one," he assures, getting up as I notice her brother and husband take a photo with Maxine and Noelle now.

I stand up to my feet and walk down the stairs with my ego sinking down like the Titanic. I step onto the court and rub the back of my neck as everyone crowds around Maxine in happiness. "Big Red," I say softly.

Maxine smiles, looks at Noelle, and looks back at me. "Yes, Jaylan?"

In a mumbled voice, I blurt out, "Gummy Bear Bandit wanted me to tell you congratulations."

"Andddddd," Hollis provokes me with an elbow in my side.

I shift my focus back at Hollis and shoot him a glare like shut the fuck up. He laughs and wraps his arm around Alexis, who looks at me with a warm smile. "And she wanted me to give you a hug," I grumble.

Maxine rolls her eyes with laughter and opens her arms with Noelle still clinging on to her dear life to her like a certain Koala Hugger I know. When I wrap my arm to hug Maxine, she whispers in my ear, "Thanks, Tiny Dick."

Chuckling and looking forward, I pull away. A pair of brown eyes, which I used to see my future in, now look filled with poisonous, toxic intentions greet mine.

And while some might think this moment would mean a second chance...

All I want to do is finally close one more door to my past.

Edited and spiced by still_just_me