Page 60 of Breaking the Rules
“He always does it,” Areli spoke confidently.
Even Lawryn was on her feet watching Noble set up for his last swing. Areli started clapping, inciting a chant from thefamily section. “Let’s go, Deuce. Let’s go, Deuce. Let’s go, Deuce. Let’s go, Deuce!”
Crack!
Everyone held their breath and watched the ball fly through the air and be caught by a drunk fan in the stands. Their section erupted. Everyone was on their feet until the middle of the fourth round. A representative from the Royals found the women and led them to the field. Areli cut away from Savanhi the moment she spotted her uncle.
Noble scanned the spectators and found the smile he’d work forever to keep on Savanhi’s face. Savanhi moved toward her assigned seat with Lawryn and made a swinging motion.
She mouthed, “Hit that shit.”
Noble winked at her. He kissed Areli’s cheek and handed her off to Remi. The pair made their way over while Noble readied himself for the last up to bat. The group greeted one another, and the proper introductions between Remi and Lawryn were made.
“Law, this is Remi. Her brother is Sincere,” Savanhi said, keeping her face neutral.
“Oh, the rapper?” Lawryn asked.
The question made Savanhi squint her eyes and watch her man on the field so she couldn’t blow up Lawryn’s spot.
“Yeah, that would be my crazy ass brother. Wild man,” Remi said with a chuckle. “He’s cool or whatever, but these tattoos…where can I sign up?”
Lawryn laughed with relief. “I have a shop in The Village. Come by anytime. Savanhi is overdue for another one.”
“And I’m getting a pony,” Areli shared, pointing at her stomach again. “Right here.”
“Your uncle is going to lose his mind,” Remi cackled. “We need to keep him steady.”
“Please,” Savanhi buzzed.
“Let’s plan a girls’ night,” Lawryn suggested. “A tattoo party.”
“Ohhh. Let’s plan that for a night Noble is home, so Savanhi can come up for air,” Remi shared.
“I’ve been breathing just fine, thank you,” Savanhi hummed, nodding her head toward Areli. “Breathing just fine.”
“Ohhh, she a little blocker?” Lawryn quizzed.
“The biggest,” Savanhi chuckled. “Alright, y’all, Deuce is up.”
Eighteen home runs out of twenty-five hits was Noble’s final standing. Leo was up next and scored eighteen, too.
“Oh my God, a tie?” Areli shouted, distraught. “Really?”
Noble turned around with a smirk. “Unc got this, Areli.”
“You better, I bet ice cream, a new tutu, and princess shoes on this,” Areli announced, making the five men on Noble’s team fall out in laughter.
Both men prepared themselves for the sixty-second tiebreaker. Noble motioned for Savanhi to come up and help him with his batting gloves.
“You don’t care about all these cameras?” Savanhi asked, pushing his gloves on his large hands.
“Don’t give a damn. I got a charity riding on this. You would think I never hit a damn ball for real.”
Savanhi paused and looked up at him. “Noble…today is about having fun. Have fun. Stop putting pressure on yourself. Okay?”
He clenched his jaw and nodded. “Aight.”
“I’m serious. You’ll still be that nigga. Mine, if we’re getting specific. Now go out there, do your shit so we can celebrate,” Savanhi replied, strapping the last glove on and kissing his lips.
