Page 92 of Only for Me

“I got you.” She looped her arms around my neck and pulled me closer before her mouth met mine. I would check on Avi later but I was also going to drop some dick off in her mother multiple times before my baby came home.

Chapter 15

Makari

Igrinned and looked at the notification on the top of my screen, multitasking while still listening to my client when I read the text and responded. Avi spent the weekend with Tiana a couple weeks ago and she and I hadn't spent time together in a minute.

Right after she had Avi for an overnight visit, they had two people quit and Tiana picked up extra shifts at the hospital because she wanted to bank the money and time for a vacation she said I was going on even if she had to drag me kicking and screaming.

Truthfully, I was down. I missed my girl and needed a break from all of the things that had been consuming my life. Things with Omiri were good but he was occupied with training because the season was almost here. I liked what we were becoming but I needed my girl. She had been the only solid fixture in my life prior to all this and she was irreplaceable in my life.

Tiana: I miss you frennnn

Me: I miss you too. We have to do a girls night soon!!!

Tiana: I'll send you my schedule so we can make that happen. You gonna be able to hop up off the long enough to spend some time with me?

Me: the is so not sure frennn. We'll see

Tiana: Hoe, you were mine before you were his

Me: Me love you long time

Me: On a client call, gotta go. Send me your schedule.

Tiana: Sending now!

"I hear you and I agree but the best thing you can do is acknowledge the comment and provide a sincere apology."

He was in his car so we elected for a phone call instead of doing video. I reached for my tablet and pulled up his social media accounts, doing a quick scan before I added, "Blanket statements aren't enough anymore. Your fans want more than just words. They need a commitment to change."

Andre White was the starting point guard for Chicago. Insanely talented but very careless with his words. Unfortunately, in today's society, everyone had an issue with everything. It was damn near impossible not to offend someone for one thing or another.

"That shit was taken completely out of context. I wasn't even talking about?—"

"You're missing the point. It doesn't matter what you meant. What matters is what they twist it to mean. When you said competitive play wasn't for players that are too sensitive, itwas twisted to be dismissive of mental health and diversity concerns."

"But that's not what I meant and you know it. I was talking about people who can't handle tough coaching. A lot of these players are entitled as hell because of the ‘everybody gets a trophy’ bullshit."

"Trust me, I get it and I agree but social media is not your friend. They don't care about the true meaning or context of what you say. They only care about hot mics and viral posts."

I swiped out of Trendz and pulled up the apology I drafted before our call and sent it to Andre. "I just sent you something but I'll give you the highlights since you're driving."

I went over the key points and he complained about the entire thing. "I know you don't like it but it's the best way to go with this. You'll be acknowledging what was misunderstood without making excuses but also expressing genuine regret for whoever was offended. There's also a commitment to mental health advocacy with a generous donation to the cause."

"Why the fuck I gotta give money to them when I wasn't wrong?"

My phone vibrated with another text from my mother and I dropped my eyes to the device, rolled my eyes, then answered him. "It distracts them from dragging your name and it's a good cause. It's not a bad idea to have the National Alliance on Mental Health standing in support of you, and with that type of donation, they will. It also shows you're sincere without looking like you're throwing money out there just to make yourself look good."

"That's exactly what I'm doing," he muttered.

I grinned, knowing he was annoyed and had every right to be. It was definitely some bullshit but this was the life they lived.

Hell, the life I lived because of the man I had a child with…

"I've seen worse but try not to worry too much. We should be able to get this turned around for you in the next week or so."

"Aight, if you think this will work, let's go with it."