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I took a thoughtful pause then shook my head. “Nah, it’s my remembering what was already their season.”

KK reached up for my necklace and began twiddling with it. I smiled as the next reporter began to speak.

“Is this your son? Did having him make you a better player?”

I glanced down at my boy, feeling nothing but pride, love, and joy. We’d successfully kept him private over the last year. This was the world’s first time seeing him.

“Yes, this is Keanu. Having him has made me a better man, period. Could being a better man have made me a better player?” I shrugged. “I don’t know, but when it comes to him, it’s not about basketball. It’s about being the best father he can have.”

He leaned his head on my chest, still playing with the water bottle but now yawning widely. I tickled his stomach softly, making him giggle. Cameras flashed all around us as another reporter asked a question. This one made my heart race, but I remained in control of myself.

“The shirt you’re wearing is a bold statement. Care to elaborate on it?”

“My father was an amazing player. No one could ever take that away from him, but off the court, he failed to live up to the same greatness. His mistakes overshadowed everything that came afterward, including me. I wear this shirt as a reminder that I am my own man. I don’t have to repeat his mistakes.

My father may be a has-been, but I am an I am.

His name built a legacy, but mine will build reverence. ”

My son laid his head on my chest, stealing my attention. I could tell he was fighting off his sleep, wanting to be involved in the perceived excitement happening around us. I leaned down to kiss his cheek and snuggled him a little closer.

“How were you able to handle your year off with grace? What motivated you to keep going?”

I smiled, already knowing the answer. Lifting a hand to my pendant, I rubbed the smooth surface between my fingers.

“My wife. She gifted me this necklace last night, and there’s a scripture engraved on the back of it.

She would read Isaiah 40:28-31 to me every morning and night.

I was carried through this year because of God’s love being shown through my wife.

Now, I live my life with the reminder that God renews my strength and gives me the ability to overcome challenges.

Taking a year off was challenging, but it was necessary for my growth.

” Glancing down at my son’s fluttering eyes, I knew it was time to go.

“Thank y’all for your time, but it’s time to get home so I can read my son a bedtime story. ”

The room began to buzz again as I stood to my feet but with more admiration this time.

I scooped up my duffel bag then headed over to where Charm waited with watery eyes.

I reached a hand out for her that she happily accepted.

I held my head high as I walked out. Leaving with the two of them made this day all worth it.

When we got to the G-Wagon, I opened the door for Charm then strapped KK into his car seat in the back. By the time I joined them, she was staring down at her phone.

“What is it?” I asked her, trying not to expect the worst. But when she turned the phone to me, a huge smile was on her face.

A flood of Instagram notifications had led her to a photo of us leaving the stadium from a blog’s page.

It was the image of us leaving from the back.

I was carrying my son in one arm and had his mother’s hand in mine on the other side.

The bold statement was also painted on the back of my shirt, letting it be known this was a new era of Kianis Kinga.

The King of The Court is back, and his crown is no longer leaning to the side.

Put some respect on Mr. Most Likely to Win’s name out here in these streets because he is not to be played with.

This ain’t a ball player. This is a husband!

A father! Can we get a round of applause for the greatest glow up of the year? I’m obsessed!

The photo was posted five minutes ago and already had over a hundred thousand likes. I whistled as Charm went into the comment section and we scrolled through them.

@mayyougetoutofmyface: Legendary.

@amesthystsunflower: Healing looks good on him.

@tabyneverlackin: He’s a husband now, y’all hos don’t stand a chance.

@yesimmessy: Breeland never would’ve looked as good on his arms.

@nobodysbusiness: His son is so adorable. I love them together. These are real couple goals!

@hotmama55: Okay Lucky Clover Era

@toddthegod: No lie Kinga done inspired me to be a better man. I respect that boy fr!

@harrahd: And that’s how you pop out and show niggas word to Kendrick!!!

“Damn.” I chuckled in shock.

Things had truly turned around in my life. Glancing at Charm, I knew I had her to thank for it all.

“I wouldn’t be here without you,” I shamelessly admitted.

She blushed, locking her phone, and placing it down. “Is that so?”

I nodded once.

“I wouldn’t be here without you either.” We met in the middle for a kiss. “Let’s get home so I can prove it after you read KK his bedtime story.”

I put that truck in reverse so fast it made a loud screeching sound.

Charm couldn’t stop cracking up in the passenger seat.

She just didn’t know I was about to nail her ass to the cross for looking so good while sitting courtside tonight.

I’m talking about titties mounted, makeup on point, not a hair out of place, and she had the nerve to wear the perfume she knew drove me crazy.

Focusing was almost impossible, except I knew being able to celebrate by clapping her cheeks would be so much better.

Charm and KK were fast asleep. He’d woken up at some point during the night and was now in bed with us. I was leaning against the headboard looking at the highlights from tonight’s game on ESPN on mute.

Reaching for my phone, I went to the photo that still had my phone blowing up with notifications.

I couldn’t help but stare at it and smile.

Warmth exploded from my heart into every crevice of my aching body until the pain from tonight’s game disappeared.

This was how I wanted to be remembered in the years to come, not for scandals or reckless behavior but for the love I had for my family.

Taking a quick screenshot, I cropped it and saved the photo as my wallpaper as a reminder of what I had to lose.

Placing my phone on the nightstand, I used the remote to shut the TV off then cuddled up behind Charm.

Slinging an arm over them both, I settled into a comfortable resting state, drifting off within minutes because of the serenity surrounding me.