Page 32 of His Starr Player

I gulped. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to. I’m just frustrated. It’s like you don’t understand the fact I’m going to be in the hall of fame for the records I’ve broken already. Everything I do from here on out will only be a bonus to what I’ve already done. Championship or not, I’m one of the best of all time, and I wish you saw that.”

He sighed deeply. “I hear you, baby girl. I really do.”

“You know ball is life. You know, my love for the game has always been my main priority. I also refuse to be alone forever, worried about if a man is only using me to get to you. I don’t have to worry about that with Marcus. He sees me for me and doesn’t care about who I’m associated with.”

“Well, I think I need to meet this young man officially.”

I gulped again. “Huh?”

“If you want me to back off, let me have a conversation with the young man who wants to be with you. Let me approve of him.”

“Well, I…”

“Don’t get scared now.”

“I’m not scared.”

I’m fucking petrified.I’d never introduced my daddy to any man in my life. Granted, I’d never been with anyone worthy of meeting my daddy until Marcus.

“Okay then. Go get changed and celebrate with your friends. I’ll wait for you to make the official introduction with your little friend when you come back. I won’t approach him without you there.”

I smiled. “You’re softening up, old man.”

He shook his head. “Chill with all that old man talk. I’m still that nigga.”

I scrunched my face up. “Don’t ever in your life talk like that again, Daddy.”

“Why not? It’s true. You better ask your mama about me.”

I covered my mouth and made a gagging noise. “I don’t think I will.”

“Your loss. Hurry up and go celebrate. I’ll be waiting.”

“Okay.” I gave him a hug and jogged toward the tunnel.

My heartbeat sounded like a drum in my ears. It was the first time I’d introduce someone to my daddy. Marcus was special. Marcus was mine. I prayed he and my father got along because I loved them both. No girl wanted to choose between the man who contributed to bringing her into the world and the man who awakened her soul for the first time. Shit like that was complicated, and I refused to have drama in my life.

Lord, please let my favorite guys click. I don’t want any drama.

“My daddy wantsto have a conversation with you,” Ava explained as she exited the locker room.

My eyes widened. “Why?”

“For many reasons. The main one being that we are now in the spotlight of the media, and he wants to protect my legacy from being tarnished by a bad relationship.”

I chuckled. “A concerned father. I get it for real. I don’t mind talking to him. When does he want to meet? Are we meeting over lunch or dinner?”

It was her turn to chuckle. “He actually wants to meet right now. He’s upstairs in one of the suites. We’re going to head up there with him before we leave.”

“Oh. No time to prepare?”

“Not really. If you don’t want to do that now, I can tell him to reschedule.”

“Calm down, my love. It’ll be fine. I know you’ve had a long day, but I can extend some time to talk with your father. The sooner we get on the same page, the better.”

“This is why I love you. You’re the calm I’ve always needed in my life.” She tilted her head up and pressed a gentle kiss onto my lips. I smiled as I wrapped our fingers together. The layout of the arena was branded into my brain years ago, so I knew how to get to the VIP suites. We walked hand in hand with synchronized steps to the suite her father occupied. There was a buff security guard manning the door.

Ava’s smile melted his hard exterior. “Hey, Vaughn.”

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