Page 119 of Set me Free

When the official announcement dropped, I was in Martin’s office in Manhattan, watching ESPN on one of his massive screens.

Breaking News: Phoenix Suns Trade Creed Langston to the Los Angeles Clippers in a Blockbuster Deal Worth $130M

I exhaled, shaking my head. “Damn.”

Martin leaned back in his chair, a satisfied grin on his face. “Hell of a deal, Creed. You wanted a contending team? Now you got one.”

The Clippers had given up two first-round picks and sent Travis Jordan and KJ Moore to Phoenix just to get me. It was a big-ass trade package, which meant they were all in on me.

I was excited. But at the same time? Phoenix had been my home for the first seven years. I had roots there. And now? I had to start over.

I pulled my phone from my pocket and immediately called Serenity. She picked up on the second ring.

“So,” she said, her tone amused. “Did you really think you were gonna be in LA without calling me first?”

I smirked, shaking my head. “You already heard?”

“Boy, please. My dad’s business partners are Clippers execs. I probably knew before you did.” I chuckled, rubbing my forehead. This woman… “How you feel about it?” she asked.

I thought about it. “Excited. I mean, I’m gonna miss Phoenix, but… this puts me closer to Cree.”

And you…

Serenity was quiet for a moment before she said, “She’s gonna be so happy, Creed.”

That was all I needed to hear. I sighed, leaning back in my chair. “Hey, uh… listen. I’m gonna need a place to stay while I look for a house. Me and Gio.”

“You know you don’t even have to ask,” she said easily. “How’s Gio doing since everything with his mama happened?”

“Shit, he good. Since I’m in New York right now, he’s in Dallas with my mom.”

“Tell her to send him ahead. He has stuff at my house and is always welcome. We can get him enrolled in Cree’s school.”

I hesitated. “You sure?”

“Yes, Creed. About Gio coming early and you staying.”

I knew it was a dangerous move. Living in the same house? That never ended well for us. But at the same time? I wanted to be close to my daughter and I knew that if I had anyone take care of Gio while I was working, Serenity was the best option.

So I accepted the offer.

I waited until after my meeting with Martin to tell Jailah.

I had been dating her for almost a year, and she was the first semi-serious relationship I had since Serenity.

She was bad as hell—yellow bone, thick in all the right places, her long blonde hair always laid, her nails always done. She stayed draped in designer, always camera-ready. She was more like Gianna than Serenity, which confused the hell out of me sometimes.

Her place in Phoenix was always spotless. When I walked in, she was sitting on the couch, scrolling through her phone.

When she saw me, she grinned. “Baby, you’re trending.”

I dropped my keys on the counter. “Yeah. I saw.”

“You excited?”

I nodded. “Yeah, it’s a good move.”

She tilted her head. “So, what’s the plan?”

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