Page 118 of Set me Free

I sat back, my heart pounding. This was happening. I was starring in my own show.

Weeks passed, and I sat through dozens of auditions. None of the women felt right. The chemistry was off. I needed people who felt natural to me.

And then, one night over wine while they were visiting me and Cree, I looked at Averi and Egypt and an idea hit me.

“You two should audition.”

They both laughed immediately.

“Girl, be serious,” Egypt scoffed.

“I am serious,” I said. “Neither of y’all thought I could act either, but look at me now.”

Averi bit her lip. “Serenity…”

“You don’t have to commit. Just come in and try.”

They exchanged uncertain glances before finally agreeing. Days later, they killed their auditions, our chemistry so beautiful, so authentic, so real. And just like that… we were cast.

On the nightof my 23rd birthday, I sat at a private dinner surrounded by family and friends.

Creed wasn’t there, but he had sent gifts, just like last year. Beautiful jewelry, another 23,000 for Cree’s trust fund, and a note that simply read:

Happy Birthday, beautiful. Always rooting for you.

As I smiled at the message, Sienna stood at the head of the table.

“We have an announcement,” she said, raising her champagne glass. The room quieted. My mother’s eyes found mine. “The Coven has been green lit.”

The table erupted into cheers. I covered my mouth, tears burning my eyes. Averi and Egypt grabbed me, screaming. I turned to my mother, and for the first time in a long time, I saw nothing but pride in her eyes. I got up from my seat and walked over to her, pulling her into my arms as tears fell from my eyes.

“Thank you Mommy.”

“This is all you my beautiful girl. I’m so proud of you.”

This was real. My life was changing again. And for the first time in a long time… I was ready for it.

PART III

5 YEARS LATER

LOVE OF MY LIFE

34

CREED

The news was coming, and I had time to prepare for it. That made all the difference.

Martin—my agent—had given me the heads-up a week ago. He told me, straight up, that the Clippers wanted me bad, and that Phoenix was willing to make the deal for the right price.

At first, I thought it was just typical trade rumors—whispers in the league that never actually turned into anything. I’d been one of the faces of the franchise, a six-time All-Star, a leader on the court. But loyalty didn’t exist in the NBA unless your name was Kobe, Dirk, or Tim Duncan.

Still, when Martin told me it was real, that the trade was actually happening, I wasn’t caught off guard like I would’ve been otherwise.

I had a week to let it sink in, a week to imagine myself in LA, playing for a team that was built to win a championship now. A week to think about how I’d be close to Cree, to Serenity, to family.

A week to figure out how the hell I was going to tell Jailah.

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