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“Ssshh,” I whispered into Legacy’s ear, then kissed it. “I got you.”

She reared back with a confused look, but we didn’t stop moving on the dance floor. “I didn’t say anything,” she said, shaking her head. My hand went to the small opening in the back of her shirt, and I caressed her skin.

“I was talking to your body,” I said with a smirk. “I can feel a chill sweep through you every time I touch your skin.” I traced my index finger halfway up her spine to prove my point and felt her shiver. “Told you.”

“Stop playing, Aceyn,” she laughed, pulling me closer. We were in the middle of the dance floor, enjoying each other’s company and not giving a fuck about what was going on around us. The press conference was over, and for the next few hours, we had to show our faces, but after that, I was taking her home and getting back in her pussy. My dick has been hard since I watched her get ready for this shit earlier. I talked shit about how she was reacting, but my ass was just as bad. The only thing on my mind was feeling her pussy wrapped around my dick later.

“I ain't playing,” I said, kissing her face. “As soon as we get home, I’m putting in that work. I want you screaming and moaning ‘til you horse.” I shook my head.

She traced the back of my neck with her finger and smiled at me. “You do know you have to behave occasionally, right?”

“Why?” I questioned. “You think I give a fuck about these people? Baby, we are only here because you have to be here. I never come to this shit.” I shook my head and turned my attention to the people in the room before returning to her. “This press shit is not my lane. Plus, I can't stand the nigga who is over it.”

“Mike?” she asked, and I nodded. “Why don’t you like Mike?”

“Nigga gets on my fucking nerves. He has a smart-ass mouth and thinks less of everybody, like we haven’t worked our asses off to get here. There are very few black and brown owners, doctors, and back-office people in the W, and his bitch ass knows it. You would think he would want to make sure we look out for each other.” I shook my head. “His uppity ass didn’t get the memo.”

“It’s a pride thing,” she sighed. “He had dreams of being in the NBA but was never drafted. He only started working for the W because of his friendship with Kenneth.”

“The Mares’ owner?” I asked, and she nodded. “How do you know all this?”

“I knew Mike first,” she answered with a shrug. “Remember the boy who introduced me to basketball?” I nodded and licked my lips to keep from saying anything. “That was Mike.”

I stopped moving and stared down at her, confused. “I thought you said you didn’t see that nigga often. Only at a game or two a season with his wife?”

“We don’t,” she said, shaking her head. “He’s back office, yeah, he’s around, but we don’t deal with each other often. We have dinner once a year, usually after this, just to catch up.”

“So, you keep up with that nigga?”

“No,” she denied and rolled her eyes. “Aceyn, what is the problem? Because it's obvious that there is one, and I’m confused as to why.”

“The problem is that nigga has a connection to you, and he shouldn’t.”

She cupped my face and made me look at her. “I’m not worried about Mike, nor does he have a connection to me that isn’t linked to work. Yes, we have dinner once a year, and he will occasionally call and check up on me, but that’s it.”

“Dead that shit, Point Guard,” I said, looking at her so she could see how serious I was. “That nigga ain’t shit and he funny acting. Y’all got dinner plans tonight? Dead that shit, too. Legit, I will show the fuck up and air that bitch out.”

“I already declined the invite,” she replied.

I let go of her waist and led her to our table. After I helped her into her seat, I sat beside her and tapped her purse. “Block his number from your phone. He can go through your agent or lawyer if he gotta contact you.”

“Are you serious right now?” she questioned, and I continued to stare at her. Fuck yeah, I was serious, and she needed to realize that. “Aceyn–”

“Block that nigga,” I said, cutting her off. “Legit, block him, Legacy.”

“Oh, this is serious; I’m Legacy,” she laughed and shook her head, but I noticed she didn’t move to do what I asked. “Aceyn, I am not worried about Mike like that, but I’m not going to block him because y’all don’t like each other. I already put him in his place earlier when he started trying to say something about you.”

“What do you mean?” My face twisted in confusion, and I felt the vein in the middle of my forehead start to throb. “He said something to you about me?”

“Shit, I shouldn’t have said anything,” she groaned and shook her head.

“The fuck he say?” I ran my tongue over my teeth and looked around for his bitch ass. No nigga should ever step to another man's woman about him. If Michael’s bitch ass had something to say, he should’ve come to me. I let out a laugh and stood. “Don’t worry about it. I’ll ask that nigga myself.”

“Aceyn!” Legacy called out, but I was already on the move.

I made my way to the other side of the room, where Michael was talking to Kenneth. I grabbed the back of his neck, pulled him from his seat, and pushed him out of the room without saying a fucking word. When the door behind us closed, I snatched him up from his seat and slammed him into the wall, knocking the air out of his lungs.

“The fuck you say to Legacy about me?” I asked, then slammed him again. “Huh, little nigga? What the fuck are you questioning my woman for?”

“Get your hands off me,” Michael said as he tried to pull away from me. My grip on his shirt was tight, so I knew he wasn’t going anywhere unless I let him. “Get your fucking hands off me.”

“Nah, bitch,” I said, shaking my head. “I asked you a fucking question, so answer it. What the fuck did you ask my woman?”

“Aceyn,” Legacy called out from behind me, but I didn’t give a fuck. “Let him go.”

Michael looked over my shoulder to Legacy, and I swear that nigga eyes got big with excitement. I slammed him against the wall again to break the trance he was in, and he cut his eyes at me. “Look at me, bitch, not her. Not the woman I love, not the one that’s going to have my fucking last name and carry my fucking child. Me, bitch!” I slammed him again, not giving a fuck that every time I did, his head knocked against the wall hard as hell. “When it comes to her, don’t look in her direction. Don’t say shit to her. Not a fucking thing. If it has to do with her job, hit her fucking agent up.”

“Aceyn.” Legacy put her hand on my shoulder. “Let him go.”

“Legacy,” Michael said her name, and something snapped in me, and I wrapped my hands around his throat.

“Don’t say her fucking name, either,” I said as I choked his ass out. He started going down, and I smiled. Seeing his life begin to leave his body slightly relaxed me. I stood over him, holding tight as he clawed at my hands and looked up at me. I lowered so that he could only hear what I was about to say. “That’s my fucking woman, nigga. I’ve killed for her once; don’t make me have to do it again, but I will without hesitation.”

“Aceyn!” Legacy pulled at my arm, and I finally let Michael go. He dropped to the ground, coughing and wheezing, and I turned to give Legacy my full attention. “Why would you do that?”

“Let’s go,” I said, then put my hand out. Her eyes went to my hand and then to Michael behind me. “I wish the fuck you would. I’ll kill that nigga.” I pulled my gun from the back of my pants and cocked it so she would know I wasn’t playing. “Take my fucking hand.”

“Definitely not the 9-5 kind of nigga,” Xoey said, walking past us. I didn’t give a fuck that it was muthafuckas on the other side of the wall. “And don’t worry, Givens and Pyrite are blocking the door. Nobody knows y’all back here.”

“I can not believe you right now,” Legacy fussed, and I shrugged. “That wasn’t necessary at all!”

“If you say so,” I shrugged. “Now, take my fucking hand so we can go.”

“I’m not going with you,” she denied, shaking her head and stepping back. “The fact that you keep acting like this and you think it's no big deal is fucking insane. This shit isn’t normal.”

“For me, it is!” I yelled. “That nigga knows he isn’t supposed to step to you, especially since it’s known we are together. It's disrespectful as fuck.”

“It really is,” Xoey agreed from the other side of the room. I looked over at her and saw her leaning against the wall with her arms crossed, watching us. I lifted my brow, and she shrugged. “I’m here for her.],” she pointed to Legacy. “Sis is not used to this. My girl is going to cry or snap out.”

“She ain't gonna do either,” I said, shaking my head. “And if she does, I got her.”

“Okay, Mr. I Got Her, that sounds all cool and shit, but I ain’t moving until she tells me.” Xoey waved me off like I was annoying her ass and not the other way around. “Finish y'all conversation.”

“Xoey, I’m fine,” Legacy sighed. “You can go.”

Xoey nodded, then pushed off the wall. She mugged me and patted me on the shoulder as she passed me. “Not the 9-5 kind of nigga at all.”

I watched her leave, and then I saw Legacy shaking her head. “You can't react like this whenever someone says something to me.”

“I can and will if it’s a fuck nigga,” I replied with a shrug. “Now, take my fucking hand so we can go.”

“No,” she denied and crossed her arms. “I’m going back in there for the rest of this stupid ass release party, and you’re going home.”

“Excuse me?” I laughed. “You’re telling me I have to leave?”

“No,” she sighed. “I’m asking you to leave and calm down. Aceyn, this is my fucking job!” she pointed to the double doors. “Yes, I know it's yours, too, but we have different roles. I’m a player, a woman, fuck, a damn black woman at that. They are looking at me for any sign of weakness so they can exploit it, and you are giving it to them! You can't act like this and think it's okay!”

“I’m a grown-ass man,” I replied and mugged her. “How the fuck are you standing there trying to tell me how to act.”

“Because you’re not acting like it!” She scolded. “You are acting like a fucking child! You don’t have to like Mike or deal with him often, but his attitude toward me affects my job and the rest of the team. His job gives him the upper hand, and you know it.”

“Fuck him,” I spat. “That nigga can die now, and someone will step into his place.”

“I can not have my boyfriend or whatever you are to me acting like this and thinking it's okay.”

“Or whatever I am to you?” I laughed humorlessly. “Do you not understand we are locked in? Ain’t nobody else but us. We are fucking end game.”

“Then stop making stupid decisions!” she yelled. “Stop letting your emotions control you. Act like you have a fucking degree, that you know how to act in public. Not like a damn thug!”

“He can’t,” Michael choked out as he tried to get up. “That’s who he is. A fucking thug!” I turned around and kicked him in the stomach so hard he started choking again and dropped to the ground. I hit him with the butt of my gun in the nose and cracked his shit open.

“Damn it, Aceyn!” Legacy yelled as she pulled me away. “Get out!”

“What?” I stepped back and laughed. “You picking that nigga over me? You legit right now?”

“I’m picking me, Aceyn!” she yelled and pushed. “I literally said this is my job! And you’re still acting out. You aren’t listening! So just go!”

“Aye, if I go, I ain’t coming back,” I humorlessly laughed.

“That’s fine, Aceyn,” she sighed. “Just go.”

“Bet,” I said, nodding. Legacy turned her attention to Michael, and I let out a laugh. “Touch that nigga if you want to.” I grabbed her wrist.

“Let me go!” she said, tugging back, but I wouldn’t let her go. “Let me go, Aceyn!”

The door opened behind us, and I looked over my shoulder to see Givens and Pyrite walking toward us. “We cool,” I said, shaking my head.

“Nah, bro,” Givens said, shaking his head. “Let’s go. Let Pyrite handle this.”

“Nah, man, I’m good,” I laughed as Legacy continued to pull against my hold. I turned to her and dragged her to me. “Chill the fuck out.”

“Then let me go,” she bucked back. “Now!”

“For what?” I questioned her. “So you can go check on his weak ass? Fuck him.” I looked down at her and gave her a smile I knew didn’t reach my eyes. “Do you realize how fucking much I love you? I’m not about to play with your ass about this shit. Let’s fucking go before that nigga brains is scattered around this room.”

“If you don’t get your psycho ass on,” Legacy said, shaking her head. “This shit was not worth all this.”

“What shit?” I said, getting pissed. If she was talking about us, we would have another set of problems.

“This, all of this!” she finally pulled her wrist from my grip and mugged me before turning to Pyrite and Givens. “Please make him leave.”

“Aye, bro, let's go,” Givens said, stepping in front of Legacy to get my attention. “Legit, let's go.”

“Nah,” I said, shaking my head as I tried to step around him, but he blocked my path. “What the fuck are you talking about, Point Guard?”

“Hood, nigga, for real; we gotta go,” Givens said as he stepped toward me. My focus was so much on Legacy that I hadn’t realized Yeti had joined us, and they were moving me out of the room through the back door. Givens grabbed my shoulders when it closed behind us and made me look at him. “We gotta go, Hood.”

“Not until I talk to my woman,” I said, shaking my head. “I need to know what the fuck she’s talking about.”

“Later, homie,” Yeti said, shaking his head.

“Nah, right now,” I demanded. “Let me talk to my fucking woman.”

“I can't, bro,” Givens said. “I gotta get you to the house, man.”

“For what?”

“Yo Pop called,” he said, and my attention went from Legacy to him. I realized that he was on the brink of tears. I patted my pocket for my phone and couldn’t find it. It had to fall out of my pocket while dealing with Michael.

“Come on, dog, we gotta get you to the house,” Yeti said.

I looked back at the doors and then at my boys, trying to process what the fuck was happening. Even though they hadn’t said shit, I could tell from the way they moved that this wasn’t good.

“I need Legacy,” I said as I tried to go back inside. I needed my woman right now, and even though she was mad at me, I knew she would come with me.

“Pyrite will bring her,” Givens said, pulling me back. “Come on, bro, I told your Pop I would get you there asap.

* * *

I sat in the chair next to Mama's bed, watching as she fought to stay alive. I had to give it to Givens, my boy pushed his Porshe’ to its limits and got me here in record time. When I saw Pop in the house, I knew she didn’t have long. Mama had fought for years, but like she said, she was tired. The last few months she’d had since deciding not to continue chemo were hard, but not for the reasons I would’ve thought. In the beginning, she had energy; we kicked it, and she laughed, joked and talked shit. It was almost like she wasn’t sick. But over the last few weeks, things started taking a turn for the worse. Pop mentioned she’d stopped eating earlier in the week, and I knew our time was limited.

Last night, after Legacy left me at the club, I’d had Givens drop me off over here, and I sat here, talking to her even though she didn’t respond. I let Pop get some rest, and I sat with her. I went to Legacy's house when he woke up after a couple of hours of sleep. Mercy had given me her key a while back, and occasionally, I would check on her house, which is how I got in. After showering, I climbed into the bed with Legacy and watched her sleep until my alarm went off; I got up and headed home to shower, dressed, and returned. I would've stayed here if I had known that my night would end like this.

“Tell her what you need her to know, Hood,” Pop said, entering the room. My guy looked tired but at peace, which confused the fuck out me. “She needs to know you’ll be okay so she can rest.”

“I don’t know what to say, Pop,” I said, shaking my head as I took her hand. It was warm but fragile and light. “How am I supposed to say goodbye to my mama?”

“You ain’t.” he sat next to me and sighed. “You're just telling her, see you later so she can watch over you.” My eyes watered, and I nodded. I wasn’t ashamed to cry, mama made sure I was emotionally aware, and even though I didn’t act like it, I controlled my shit well. “She told me a few weeks back that she was at peace with her decision cuz you had Legacy.”

“I love her, man,” I said as I watched Mama’s chest rise and fall. “I might have fucked up today, though.”

“Nah,” Pop denied. “I doubt that.”

“You don’t even know what I did,” I chuckled.

“It doesn’t matter,” he said. “I seen y’all together. Y’all got that love that’s bigger than y'all. Whatever you did ain’t gonna do shit but make y’all love each other harder.”

“Harder?” I reared back and then shook my head. “Nah, man, I’m already addicted to her as it is.” I kissed my teeth. “Shit, honestly, I’m obsessed with her ass. Like, I can function if I don’t see her.”

“I understand,” he laughed. “I was the same way with your mama. Even after she divorced me, I couldn’t shake her.” He put his hand on her leg. “I know I fucked up letting her walk away, which is why I went so hard the last few months. I needed her to know that she was my greatest treasure. She gave me you, which was a blessing, too. But yo mama, man, the way I love her.”

“It’s all-consuming,” I said, understanding. “It’s the way I feel about Legacy. I know I’ll love and be obsessed with our kids when it's time to have them, but I know God made Legacy for me.” I shook my head.

“Yo mama knew that, too,” he said, nodding. “Even before you introduced her to us. Yo Mama said that something in you changed last year. You started moving differently, like a grown-ass man, preparing for his wife.”

“I met Legacy last year,” I said, nodding.

“Yo mama said she felt the shift and was holding on to see who the Lord had put in your path. She said you picked right.”

“I’m glad,” I said, then wiped my face with my hands and sat back. Mama’s breath became raggedy, and I knew we were on borrowed time. She wasn’t going to make it through the night.

“She wrote you and Legacy a letter,” Pop said, then handed me three envelopes. One was addressed to Legacy, one to me, and the last to us. “She wrote more than that, but she asked me to give them to you at different points in your life. This one is for now.” I nodded. “I’ll give you a minute.”

I waited until he left and then opened the letter.

Dear Aceyn,

I want you to know I love and am proud of you. When I found out I was pregnant all those years ago, I knew that the baby I carried in my womb would be amazing. You are that and so much more. I remember the first time I heard you cry, laugh, talk, and sing like it was yesterday. I thought I knew love but realized I didn’t understand it until those moments.

You gave me hell, son (lol), but I know you did it because it was your destiny, and as your mother, I am honored to have watched you for as long as I have. Please don’t be sad that I am no longer here. I can’t be here physically but will always be with you.

There will be moments in your life that I can’t be here for, and as much as I cry, I know it will be okay. You picked the right partner. You and Legacy are equally yoked. She is the only person that will be able to calm the storm that is brewing in you.

Son, listen to her when she speaks because there is no doubt in me that she would never steer you wrong. I’ve watched you two for the last few months. The love that you share is one for the books. Nourish it, each other, and grow as a couple as well as individually. Be the man that your father and I raised you to be.

Speaking of your father, be there for Bowlin. He’s not as strong as he pretends to be. Trust me, I have loved him longer than you’ve been alive. He is going to try to be strong for you. Allow him to be weak and mourn the years that we lost and can never get back.

Back to you: mourn, baby, but don’t stay angry. I am at peace because I know you are being appropriately loved, and that is my greatest joy as your mama.

Smile, Aceyn. Laugh, joke, enjoy life, and most importantly, love. Love that woman that God made for you to love. I know your daddy probably already told you that I have other letters. He knows when to give them to you. I tried to think of all the moments I wouldn’t be here for, but you’d think you still need me.

I love you, son,

-Mommy.