Page 108 of His Team

I keep fighting. I get the upper hand and start fucking his ass up. I’m making it home to my family. As I hover over him, raining punches down on him, a loud bang fills the air.

In the next instant, a sharp pain runs through me. I drop to the side and roll onto my back. So much pain fills my body. I’m being kicked in the side, but I don’t have the strength to fight back.

“I’m going to kill you, you motherfucker,” he growls through his thick accent.

I open my eyes and see him standing over me with his gun aimed at me. All I can think about is how my little girl is going to grow up without me. I’m never going to get to see her little face.

My life ends here. I don’t get to win a chip, I don’t get to earn MVP. I’m going to be just another black man gunned down before his prime.

They’ll probably make it gang-related or some bullshit when I’m a biological science magna cum laude graduate who’s never seen a gun outside of a gun range until tonight.

The sound of sirens in the background gives me little hope, I’m bleeding out and this guy seems like he finishes whatever he starts. I black out before he pulls the trigger. At least my girls are safe.

Your girl is safe too, Cam. Take care of mine. It was nothing personal. I’ve just always been in love with Kay.

Kayleen

“That feels so nice, thanks,” I moan as Cam rubs my aching feet.

“No problem. Is Bug okay in there?”

I beam at him. “She’s fine.”

He’s in town for a few days. He came in with gifts for my little girl’s nursery, looking like a proud uncle. He’s been spoiling Bug, as he so affectionately calls her.

Seeing him with all those gifts and steaks to throw on the grill warmed my heart. Dakota and Thomas came by, and we made a time of it.

While the guys were grilling, the game was on the outside TV and I got to see JR win his game tonight. Cal played a game tonight as well.

Overall, it’s been a good day. Now, we’re sitting in the living room as we watch TV. Cam seems to be lost in thought, but I’m too relaxed to interrupt him.

This is nice. I’ve come to cherish this friendship over the last few months we’ve been married. JR had been right, I love Cam as a friend, but that’s it.

I’m going to miss hanging out and having my friend to support me when we get divorced. I can’t help but wonder what he has planned once we part.

The news comes on after Cal’s game we were watching goes off. I go to turn the channel when a breaking news report comes on and JR’s photo is plastered on the screen. My breathing stops.

I tug my foot from Cams grasp and stand. I keep moving closer to the screen as the reporters speak. It all sounds like white noise. I grasp my pregnant belly protectively.

“No,” I scream and drop to my knees. “No.”

Cameron

At first, I have no fucking clue what is happening. I mean, I know Jareil and I recognize him from the picture. He was one of my friends in high school before he left for some academy to play basketball and football there.

We didn’t keep in touch much after he was gone, but I do remember him being there at that party Mama threw freshman year when Cal had that seizure.

“This is the baby’s father,” I speak my thoughts out loud. Not asking, but already knowing.

Kay nods as I hold her in my arms. She’s near hysterical at this point. Her reaction is more than one of that for a friend.

I nod to myself. I’m waiting to be angry, but it never happens. Jareil has always been a good guy.

I think I’ve always known he had a thing for Kay, so I’m not that surprised. What does shock the fuck out of me is when an image of Dez and two other men pops up on the screen. I grab the remote and turn the volume up.

“This just in. Authorities say they have these three men in custody at this hour. The man on the right is said to be the ringleader, Dez Demarco.

“It’s still unclear as to why Dez and his accomplices kidnapped and assaulted basketball rookie Jareil Reese. Or JR, as his fans so lovingly call the young man. Sources say Reese was shot at least once and is in critical condition and undergoing surgery for the wounds he has sustained.

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