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Kamari ran into the living room, frowning when her mom was no where in sight. "Uhh..where did my mum go? I swear she was just here." Kelsey glanced up from the puzzle she and Kaidyn were working up, chuckling at Mari's expression. "She went to pick up some medicine and drop off some food for Jackie," Kelsey explained, looking back at the puzzle, the boy handing her one of the pieces to place down.

"Jackie be doin' anything to avoid payin' for food," Kamari snickered.

"What did you want to ask your mom?" Kelsey pondered, placing one of the pieces down.

"I was wondering if my friends could come over via our private jet," Kamari chuckled awkwardly, sinking down into the couch. "It's not being used so..yeah you can. How long are they gonna stay? We're gonna have to go grocery shopping." Kelsey said, placing another piece down after Kaidyn pointed to the empty spot. Mari blinked in shock, "wait- did you just give me permission to use the jet?"

Kelsey sent her a confused look. "Yes? Is that not what I'm supposed to do?"

"No- I mean, yes, you are! Could you maybe clear it with the pilot? He's not the biggest fan of me after I lied to him so he could take me and JJ to Brazil," Mari said, chuckling awkwardly. Kelsey just snickered at her nervousness, "okay, I will approve it with him. Is there anything else you need? How many friends are coming over?"

"It's just KK, Sandy, and JJ. Sandy and Jackie thought I was in Connecticut and went there to surprise me so I felt bad, and KK just wanted to see our new house. We're definitely gonna need groceries, so could I get my mum's grocery card?" Kamari requested, ignoring the look her little brother gave her. "Who's gonna drive you?" Kelsey asked, picking up her girlfriend's wallet on the table.

"Well, since I've got my license now...I was also wondering if I could take mum's purple Jag?" She asked, ignoring the constant glares from her little brother. He was always judging her. "Out of all the cars you could've asked for...you want to use the one car that's off limits to everyone? Yeah, no." Mari frowned at her declination. "But, you can take the Mercedes." Kelsey added, tossing her the keys to that car.

"Yes! You're the best ever! I'll be back in two hours tops! Love you! Sorry for yelling Kai!" Kamari exclaimed, running down the halls to reach the front doors.

Kelsey glanced back down at Kaidyn, noticing he was scratching his hands again. He was more recently diagnosed with eczema, and Kez honestly expected that to happen because of how sensitive his skin had always been so she was prepared for it. "She'll be back soon. Try not to scratch, okay?" She assured, and he nodded. He was still non-verbal, but she knew how to communicate with him and he was always responsive.

As he continued with the puzzle, she got in contact with Nakila to give her approval for the jet, and Nakila would confirm it with the pilot and get everything else approved. He finished the puzzle and grabbed onto the remote to put the television on. He tapped her on the knee to grab her attention and handed her the remote. "What do you wanna watch?" She asked.

He grabbed onto the pencil and wrote down 'Formula 1' on the sticky notes. "Let me guess...Abu Dhabi 2023?" She questioned, clicking on the race as he nodded at her, getting off the floor to sit on the couch next to her. He rewatched this race all the time just to his uncle Kaylen win his first WDC. "You really like racing, huh?" He smiled and nodded at her question, his eyes growing brighter as they showed his uncle getting into the car.

"What do you like about it?" Kelsey asked, wondering if he liked the idea of racing cause getting him into karting was a possibility too.

"T-The car." He stuttered out, his eyes still focused on the TV. She just sat there in shock, and literally at that moment she heard the front door open. "I will be right back." She quickly got up and ran down the halls, bumping right into her girlfriend. Kez quickly grabbed onto her waist to steady her so she didn't topple over. "I know you're into me and all but I've only been gone two hours so this seems a bit much."

"Kai just talked."

"What? My Kaidyn? The one I gave birth to and temporarily died? That Kaidyn?" Kez questioned, squinting her eyes in suspicion. "Yes, that Kaidyn! He spoke to me! Two very real words." Kelsey answered, completely freaking out. "Okay, take a breath. Calm down. If you're freaking out- he's gonna freak out too," she spoke, and Kelsey nodded, taking some calming breaths. "I want to try something," Kez mumbled, taking out her phone and pressing record.

"What's that for?" Kelsey asked, taking the phone into her hand.

"I need you to get him to speak again. I wanna see if he only talks to you." Kez explained. "How do I do that?" She asked, slightly confused about this plan. "Talk about whatever you were saying before," she shrugged. "I'll try." She walked away, going back into the living room where he was still sitting there watching the race, occasionally scratching his hand. "You okay?" He just nodded, eyes remaining on the TV.

"What's your favorite thing about the car?" She asked as he curled into her side. "Engine," he mumbled.

"So, you wanna learn to make these cars?" She questioned, and he nodded. "I want to be a Formula One engineer like my grandfather," he answered more confidently, actually relieved someone was interested in what he liked. Everyone just assumed he wanted to be a driver like his uncles. "Really? Have you told him?" His smile dropped a little bit as he shook his head, "no."

"Maybe you should. I think he'd love to tell you all about it." She suggested, giving him a playful nudged and he actually had a small laugh. "So...how long have you been able to talk and why am I the first to actually hear it?" She asked, genuinely curious about that because it felt really unexpected. "Two years, and you're nice to me. You don't try to be my mum or dad. You're just you. It's comforting." He explained with a small shrug.

"I appreciate that. I'm also a little jealous that you're grammar is so good." She said, and he chuckled at her, turning to face her. "I read lots of books and listen to my mum ramble in different languages daily." He smiled, tapping the side of her head playfully. She chuckled softly, tapping his forehead, "that's some solid advice kid."

Kez walked in, and he looked to her, "medicine?" He asked in sign language. She nodded, a little disappointed he didn't speak but it obvious he wasn't ready. "You still itchy?" She asked, sitting down on the couch and gently taking his hands. He nodded, placing them on her knee as she opened up the ointment. "Let me know if this works for you. We can always go back to the last one, okay?" He nodded again in response.

"Hey, why did I get a message from security saying Kamari took the Mercedes?" Kez asked, rubbing the ointment on his hands.

"I gave her the keys. She's getting groceries because her friends are coming over. They're using the jet to get here." Kelsey answered, leaning over to hand her back the phone. "But why the Mercedes? I just gave it a tune up," Kez frowned, standing to her feet and picking the bag back up because she had her own meds in there. "It was the Mercedes or the purple Jag," she shrugged.

"I don't understand that child's desire to drive my brand new cars," Kez muttered in displeasure.

"That's your twin." Kelsey shrugged, and Kaidyn nodded in agreement with her, turning back to the TV. "I'm gonna go put this away. I'll be back to get you ready for Baba, okay?" She spoke softly towards her son, he just nodded, adjusting the pillow behind him because it was bothering him. After she left the room, he turned to look at his mum's girlfriend with a saddened look. "I want to stay here. Baba is always busy, and I don't like the nanny. She is always on her phone."

"Uhm, okay, would you like me to go talk to your mom about that?" She asked, and he quickly nodded, "yes. Mum listens to you."

"I'll see what I can do." She got up and walked down to the kitchen where she heard Kez washing her hands, and obviously scrubbing all the way up to her elbows because that was practically routine for her. "I can't wait to show Michael that recording. His accent is so cute. I think it's gonna be stronger than Kamari's when he gets older." She spoke, switching off the water and reaching for the hand cloth to dry her hands.

"Speaking of Kaidyn...he just told me he didn't want to go with his dad," Kelsey said, leaning against the counter, receiving a confused look. "I'm sorry..what? Why?" Kez questioned, putting the cloth back in it's place. "He said Michael is too busy and he doesn't like the nanny because she's always on her phone," she explained.

"Ask Kaidyn what he wants for dinner, he's staying another week. Thank you for telling me." Kez smiled, pressing a peck to her cheek before picking up her phone on the counter. Kelsey found her disturbingly calm, and that was very alarming. "What are you going?" She asked, and Kez stopped at the frame, glancing over her shoulder, "upstairs, to go yell at his father for making his son feel unimportant."

"Smoke a joint before you do that." Kelsey advised, walking over to press a kiss to her cheek, "good luck."

20 minutes later.

"I don't give a fuck if you're busy with work. If I can juggle several different careers, go on tours, run businesses, and still give my kids all the attention they need, then you have no fucking excuse." She argued, and she could just see his dumbass eye roll. She certainly heard that scoff he let out. "Why you actin' like you're mother of the fucking year? I'm the one who stepped up when Mari needed a father so if I wanna take a phone call, I'mma take a damn phone call." That really pissed her off.

"I never once asked you to take on that responsibility. You made that choice, and if you keep treating Kaidyn like this, Mari won't even wanna associate with you. So hear me loud and clear when I say, I don't give a flying fuck if Beyoncé is calling you. Pay attention to your fucking son! You can change your flight too 'cause he's not going with you until you learn how to be the father he needs. Get your shit together or I'll take your ass to court. And fire that fucking nanny!" Kez hung up, slamming her phone back down.

"That could've been worse," Kelsey voiced, leaning against the doorframe to the closet.

"It's ridiculous. You'd think after all the shit we went through with Kamari, he'd at least put effort into understanding his son, the one he actually shares DNA with. I go through this shit with him yearly, and just when I think he's doing good, he screws up again. And you want to know something? I've noticed he only starts paying attention when I'm single cause he still believes there's a chance, and the second I'm official with someone, it's like he forgot how to be a parent. The motherfucking audacity of this man." She expressed, her english words getting mixed-up with her native languages.

"I only understood about 42% percent of that, but I don't doubt you made some very good points." Kelsey replied, and Kez broke into a smile, unable to be serious anymore. "I'm sorry- it's just, I have so much respect for children, and I believe they deserve parents who will give them all the love and nurturing they need."

"I know, you don't need to apologize. You have every right to be upset about the way he's acting." Kelsey reassured, walking over to her but keeping distance because she seen the way her girlfriend gave her a look that went up and down slowly. "I'm glad he's talking to you. He didn't lie when he said you were comforting.." she trailed off, getting distracted as her eyes wandered. "I'm not sure 'comforting' for him is the same for you, Z."

Kez smiled, walking closer to her, "you know the one plus side to being on third floor?"

"What?" Kelsey asked, backing up until Kez hooked her arm around her waist to press into her, a small gasp leaving her throat. "Nobody can hear us from the first floor...which currently happens to be occupied by Kaidyn, no?" Her breath hitched and she moved out of her arms, clearing her throat, "you're distracting me."

"Am I? You came in here so technically you're the one seducing me," Kez retorts, pursing her lips as her hands shot up in mock surrender.

"That- that doesn't even make sense!" She scoffed, the accusation taking her by surprise.

"Yes it does."

» »

"What's on the menu tonight?"

"Excuse you?"

Kamari nudged her friend's arm with a scolding look, "manners." Sandy smiled apologetically, "apologies, I've been spending far too much time with my psychotic family. Forgot my manners. This is a lovely home by the way. You've got a gorgeous view. Must've cost a fortune."

"You're rambling, Sandy," Kez smiled in amusement, leaning against her counters to face the four guests in her house. Of course Mari had to invite Paige over since she was in the city for the game against the Aces tomorrow. "Is everyone staying the night or..?" She trailed off, waiting for their responses. "Yes, if that's not a problem with you. I would feel safer here. Mari said she'll drive me back in the morning," Paige spoke with a nervous but comforting smile.

"It's fine with me, but I'm not the only one living here so you'll have to go ask Kelsey. She's in the family room with Kaidyn. Go on, they'll be happy to see you." Kez said, attending back to the food she was cooking up. As they went to leave, following after Mari, Kez called out, "Sandy, you can stay here. I want to speak with you."

Sandy nods, staying back as her friends left to get Kelsey's permission. She already knew it would be a yes because she was a sweetheart like that. "Did you need some help or..?"

"No, I'm good. But, your mother told me about your housing situation." Kez said, going to the fridge to grab a drink. "Oh yeah, my landlord is a bloody cheapskate. The apartment is infested with mold so I'm getting kicked out for God knows how long and now I have to live with my crazy sisters who still call me by my deadname until I save up enough money to rent another place. So, there goes all the money I've saved up for surgery."

"Right, which is why I'm paying a lawyer to sue your landlord, and I'll have all your stuff moved into the house I have in London." Kez said, sliding over a ring of keys to all the doors and such in the house. "What? Wait- you can't do that. I'm not even your blood. Why are you doing that?" Sandy frowned in confusion, staring down at the keys and back to her. "Sandy, you were the first one to befriend my daughter and actually treat her like a human. You were always there when she needed you. I'll be dammed if I let you live in a toxic household that you worked very hard to escape."

"You're totally sure about this? Your wife- I mean, you're girlfriend is okay with this? Just giving me keys to your house?" Sandy blinked in shock, taking the keys into her hand to make sure she wasn't imagining them. "Mhm, it was her idea. We're gonna be in the states a lot this year and nobody will be home to look after that place. I figured since you already look after my plants, you may as well just live there. At least until you find your footing," she shrugged, grabbing a cold glass from the freezer to pair it with a bottle of red wine.

"I will take very good care of your home, I swear by it. Thank you so much, Kez." Sandy spoke sincerely, standing up to hug her and she actually allowed it this time. "There's also the keys to the Aston Martin on there so take good care of that one. The Ferrari is off-limits, okay?" Sandy nodded, understanding that nobody was touch that Ferrari. "Understood."

"Don't mention the car thing to Mari, okay? She's getting her own car for her birthday so I'm trying to stall it for as long as can." Kez whispered, before pulling away and Sandy smiled, happy to be apart of the secret. She knew how much Mari always wanted her own car. "I won't say a word."

"Would you mind fetching me a bottle of red wine? It's just down the hall on your left." Kez requested, and Sandy nodded, "of course. Anything you're in the mood for?"

"Surprise me," she shrugged.

"I do not understand how it is possible for him to rewatch that race. Does he not get sick of it?" Kamari rambled as she walked into the kitchen with KK and Kelsey. Paige and Jackie stayed to build the new Jaguar Lego set with Kaidyn. "Leave your brother alone. He's manifesting like you did." Kez defended, throwing her a box of grape juice, "all we had left. Kai drank most of them. Figured you'd want the last one."

"What? I just bought these! They were a twelve pack!" Kamari exclaimed in disbelief.

"Should have bought two. You know your brother likes grape juice," Kez shrugged, sliding her hand around her girlfriend's waist to bring her closer. "Well, I didn't know he was staying another week. Wasn't dad supposed to pick him up today?" Mari questioned, taking a seat on the stool with KK who was trying to grab a crab rangoon without Kez noticing.

"He didn't want to go. I'll tell you about it later," she said and Mari nodded, understanding it was a private matter now. That slightly worried her.

Kez glanced at KK, brows scrunched in confusion but a little bit of amusement. She pushed the plate towards her, and KK smiled, grabbing some of them and humming in delight at the taste, "these are really good." Kelsey furrowed her brows, "KK, did you eat today?" She shook her head, taking the glass of juice Kez offered her to wash it down. "Just a breakfast bagel sandwich in the morning. What's this juice? It's really good."

"Cherry limeade. I made it with the juicer my brother bought me," Kez answered, a little amused at how KK looked like she was in heaven. "More like you bought yourself. That little cheapskate used your card," Kamari corrected with a giggle.

"I've got the wine! It was very hard to choose so I grabbed two bottles." Sandy spoke energetically, strutting into the kitchen. "I thought you weren't allowed to drink?" Mari queried with suspicious eyes. "Mind your business," Kez tuts, taking the bottles and grabbing another glass for Sandy because it was clear she wanted some. "This is why I say she's gonna lose her liver next. That alcoholism is gonna catch up to you," she added in a scolding tone.

"I'll have you know, I'm very healthy. A little bit of wine is not gonna kill my liver," Kez retorts, scoffing at her audacity.

Kamari turned to her mum's girlfriend with a look of disbelief, "Kelsey, you support this?"

"Uh-uh, no, you are not gonna manipulate my girlfriend," Kez quickly input, setting her glasses down to put her hands over her girlfriend's ears. "She can think for herself!" Mari shot back defensively. "Funny that you think she wouldn't choose my side anyways," Kez mocked, dropping her hands to pop open the bottle. Mari rolled her eyes, "Kelsey, answer the question."

"Whoa, whoa, whoa, drop the attitude in that. Don't demand things from her. Where are your manners?" Kez scolded, almost reaching over to smack her upside the head but she held back since KK was there- still stuffing her face, mind you.

"Apologies. But seriously, how are you okay with this? She's getting old. She needs her liver." Kamari expressed and Sandy's jaw dropped. "I'm gonna excuse myself from this. Thank you for the wine." She mumbled, rushing out of the kitchen to join Paige and Jackie in the living room. "I know you did not just call me old," Kez stated in a serious tone, and that was slightly alarming but Mari liked to test her. "I did, and I will not take it back. You are not kind to your liver."

"Why are you so worried about my liver? You don't see me calling you out for getting high in your bedroom all night." She shot back with a sarcastic grin, watching as her daughter's jaw dropped with a small squeak of shock, looking to Kelsey for help. "Okay, how about we all just take a breath and calm down? I don't even know how it got this far. We all have our hobbies. Let it go, both of you."

"Ya know...since we're on the topic..could I get some more edibles?" Kamari requested with a sheepish smile.

"Kamari Ae-Cha Ziyah Kei Kumalo Jordan. Get out of my kitchen. Now."

"Yes ma'am." Kamari nods, hopping off that stool and quickly making her exit.

"Can I take these?" KK asked, hopping off the stool, referring to the dish of crab rangoons, obviously. "You can. We'll make more," Kelsey said, and KK let out a small cheer, taking the dish into her hands and walking out to follow wherever Mari went.

"I really hope they're not sitting on my couch in their outside clothes," Kez said with a grimace. "If they are, we can get it cleaned, okay?" Kelsey reassured, and she sighed, nodding her head. "You gave Sandy the keys, right?" Kez nodded in response, sliding her glass over to her. Kelsey took it in her hand with a small smile, "thank you."

"Yoh Ma, KaiKai isn't sharing his snacks! Tell him to share!" Kamari complained as she stormed into the kitchen, her brother right behind her with a glare on her back. "She yelled at me for drinking her grape juice," he signed to his mothers, reaching for his sister's arm and she picked him up to set him onto the stool to sit down. "He's lying! I didn't even yell at him," she denied, scoffing at his accusations.

Kelsey squints in confusion, "you're yelling right now...?"

"Stop raising your voice in this house. You know he's sensitive. If he doesn't want to share, he doesn't have to. We bought those snacks for him, not you. You know how picky he is. Order your own snacks, Nomsa. Did you not just go grocery shopping?" Kez spoke, going into the fridge to take out more ingredients for dinner. "I mean- I did, but he has those gummys with the juice stuff inside of it," she pointed out, and Kaidyn smiled mischievously. He was getting very expressive recently and it was only slightly annoying his sister because it was mostly focused on her.

"You wanna handle this?" Kez turned to Kelsey to help because this was very annoying to her and she really didn't want to snap.

Kelsey nodded and turned to Kaidyn. "Share with your sister and I promise I will order some more for you right away, okay?" He let out a defeated sigh, "promise?" He signed to her. "I promise," she signed back. He nodded, hopping off the chair and shooting his sister a look to follow him because he always hid his snacks.

Kez sent her a thankful smile, "you notice he's getting more expressive?"

"I did. It's adorable. He's really sassy. I wonder where he gets it from..." Kelsey trailed off pointedly, and Kez scoffed in offense, pointing to herself like it was the most ridiculous accusation. "Me? I am not sassy. If anything he gets it from my brother, or my dad. My dad is literally the most sassy person I've ever known. He got it from the men's side, alright? I have zero drops of sassy in me."

"Really? Let's ask Syd what she thinks. I bet she's got the best video of you being sassy pre-saved on her phone for this moment." Kelsey said, reaching for her phone but Kez quickly snatched it from her pocket. "Okay, I guess I can be a little sassy, but he mostly gets it from my dad." Kelsey tilts her head, holding her hands on her hips, "you're only admitting that because you don't want to give Syd an excuse to come over, right?"

"Yes. I literally had to bribe Jackie to not post the selfie we took today," Kez admits, pursing her lips awkwardly.

A few seconds later...Paige walked into the kitchen with a shy smile. "Hi. Uhh...Kamari said you knew how to make a Shirley temple..?"

"I do. I used to be a bartender for a couple months," Kez chuckled, leaning against the counter, waiting for Paige to just ask cause she wasn't gonna make assumptions. "Would you like her to make you a Shirley temple?" Kelsey asked since Paige was clearly too nervous to ask, and rightfully so because it wasn't her house and it was literally Keziyah, someone she still had a crush on.

"Yes. I would like that," Paige nods, her cheeks already flushed a cherry red.

"Dirty or Virgin?"

"What?" Paige blinked in shock at her question.

"Alcohol or no alcohol, sweetheart?" Kez rephrased with a kind smile.

"Oh! Uhm, nonalcoholic. Sorry."

"It's okay."

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"I'm doing an interview! Don't bring your ass over here, Sydney!" Kez exclaimed, seeing she had that 'where my hug at?' kinda look. She cleared her throat, turning back to the woman with a smile, "sorry about that, she's a little clingy. Can you start over? I didn't quite hear the question."

The woman who Kez knew as Cynthia nodded, "I don't know if you've been on social media much to see it, but, fans are wondering how the trash talk is? Would you like to make a comment on that?" Kez chuckled, trying to think of what to say because she definitely had some stories. "Would you like to know the most disrespectful read I've gotten?" She replied. "I would love to, yes."

"So, it was just a few minutes after I missed a layup. This girl comes up behind me and says, "you miss those layups like you miss your high notes." I don't think I had ever felt more disrespected than I did in that moment. Like, how you gon' diss both of my careers at the same time?" Kez expressed, leaning back in her seat, still feeling the disrespect through the memory.

Meanwhile, her teammates who overheard started laughing, of course. "Tell 'em the rest of the story!" KB encouraged.

"It's really not that funny but okay," Kez scoffed, a little offended by their laughter. "Anyways, we were up by like twenty, and she was literally a benchwarmer, so she had absolutely zero room to talk shit. And you know I can't let that slide so I had to get a layup after that. Uh...I missed it again. Yup, laugh it up. I'll wait." Kez pursed her lips, waiting for all the laughter to die down because it got louder as she continued.

"Tell them what happened after that!" Chelsea cackled.

"She uh- she knocked me down and shot a three." Kez smiled tightly, rubbing the back of her neck as her teammates cracked more jokes about it. KB and Chelsea even tried to re-enact it. "The worst part about it- she came up to me after the game and asked if I could take a picture with her sister because she was a huge fan." She continued, pausing when her team laughed it up again.

"She was wearing her jersey and everything! Had the whole vinyl and cd collection!" Sydney added just so no details were left out.

"Safe to say, I was very humbled."

"Well, since we're speaking about trash talk. How would you say yours is? Is it good, or are you just terrible at it?" Cynthia asked, growing more comfortable with the carefree environment. "Bold of you to assume I talk trash," Kez shot back in sassy tone. "Nah, but I think it's pretty good. I mean- I'm probably biased but if you ask people I've guarded so far then I'm sure you'll get some good examples of just how personal I can get."

"Could you give me an example?" She requested.

"Oh, I can't, darling. I'd get in trouble." Kez smiled apologetically, pushing her glasses back up with her knuckle. "Did y'all hear the way she said that? Oh, I can't, darling! I need to go fetch meself some tea," Syd exclaimed, mimicking a terrible English accent. "I love when she does that. She sound so rich. It low-key be givin' Adele," A'ja voiced, a few of them nodding in agreement.

"Nah, she just sounds flirty when she uses darling," Tip added, and Kelsey pointed to her with a nod. "You're right. She does."

"I apologize on their behalf. They can never be serious." Kez said pointedly. "That's alright, I'm enjoying it. The next question we wanted to ask you, is if you have a favourite teammate?" She questioned. "You ask the good stuff. Can you get a bit more specific? Do you mean a teammate in general or a favourite on this particular team?" Cynthia hummed in thought, "well, I don't want to anyone to get jealous, so I'd say in the general sport, who would your favourite teammate?"

"Without a doubt, it's A'ja. I think it always will be." Kez answered without hesitation, and A'ja smiled, already knowing she'd say that but it was nice to hear her admit it to the media. "But on this team, it's me, right?" Syd input, pointing to herself. "Sure, Syd," Kez nods slightly, giving her a boring thumbs up before turning back to the reporter. "Since we're on the topic of favourites, who has been your favourite player to guard so far into the season?"

Kez pursed her lips in thought, "that's some what hard, but I'd definitely have to go with DeWanna Bonner."

"That's a good choice. And, I'm quite curious now, who's someone you would not look forward to guarding?" Cynthia questioned, and honestly it didn't even feel like an interview, it just felt like a regular getting to know each other type of conversation. Which felt quite relieving compared to the other interviews Kez had to endure. "Jonquel Jones. I just feel like she's someone I'd get really heated with if I guarded her."

"I can definitely see that happening, although I feel like maybe you'd get into a good tussle with Laney-Hamilton," Cynthia voiced, making a solid point. Kez couldn't really see the vision there so she chuckled just a bit, "yeah, it'll be like battle of the 44's if that happens. Love you, Betnijah, but I'll hypothetically kick your ass." She said into the camera, blowing a playful kiss.

"Let's rewind, you said earlier that you're quite good at juggling careers. Should we be looking out for new music? Or, have you had any time to work on new music?" Cynthia questioned.

"Uh yes, I do have new music coming out and I am constantly working on new stuff. I get lots of ideas and stuff in my head during practice so my partner got me a new music book for me to jot down all that stuff because I kept forgetting my journal at home. She literally has it in her bag right now. So yes, I'm very consistent with my music and my game." Keziyah answered, and Cynthia's eyes brightened in interest, "can we see it?"

"Kelsey, can you grab my journal please?" Kez requested.

Kelsey nodded, going over to her bag and taking the journal out. She brought it over and set it in Kezie's hand. "Thank you, baby," Kez smiled, taking her hand and pressing a kiss to it. "I can't show you the inside, but half of it is filled with songs and notes so I'm definitely gonna have to get a new one soon. I've only had it a couple weeks so it's getting very worn-out."

"You could show them that one song in French," Kelsey suggested, knowing her fans are definitely gonna want to see at least one song in there. "In French?" Cynthia blinked. Kez chuckled softly, flipping to that page, "yes, I write in French from time to time. This one is actually going to be on the album, so I'll let them do what they want with that information."

"What does it mean?" Cynthia asked, her eyes scanning over it, a little astounded by the nice handwriting. "Uh it's basically about the time I spent in Paris. Just personal moments with my girlfriend and such." Kez answered, taking the journal back into her hands and closing it to hand it back over to her girlfriend. "That's really sweet. I'm sure everyone's going to love that."

"Thank you. It's also a little explicit, sorry in advance for the people who translate it." Kez chuckled softly, watching her girlfriend walk away with an amused look.

"So, I'm aware you've been asked this question before and you declined to answer, but I was hoping maybe you'd give it another go for me," she began. Kez hummed, tilting her head with a curious glint in her eye. "What is the best advice you've received from a vet?" Cynthia questioned. "See, there's a reason I've been dodging this question, and it's mostly because I don't really get any advice, just in general. I won't share it, but I will say, Sue gave me some pretty solid advice before the season. So I'm really grateful for that."

"Tell me if I'm pushing it, but have you gotten any advice from NBA players?" Cynthia queried, genuinely curious.

"Uhh, outside of Steph and Bam- no, but to be fair, none of them have my number." Kez shrugged, not even realizing she low-key threw a little shade. "She bein' shady," KB winced dramatically.

"Alright, I've got two more questions for you. Before choosing to play for the Aces, did you ever consider playing for other teams?" Kez shook her head almost immediately in objection. "No, definitely not. I had the choice to, but my decision was more based on prioritizing my family, and keeping them close to me. Although, I had been offered a head coach position, the desire to be on the court was far more appealing to me and I couldn't imagine playing with any team other than the Aces."

Cynthia smiled softly, "final question, unfortunately. What is your goal this season?"

"To win."

»»

Basketball was a very physical game, the smart ones knew this. So, Keziyah was prepared for the roughness, she knew she'd get pushed and shoved but that didn't mean she had to always get up and walk it off. This particular push felt extremely personal. She had barely processed it. She was guarding Dearica Hamby throughout the game, and yes, they had been going back and forth with the trash talk, but there was a certain tension in it. It wasn't a good one.

It was the 2nd QTR, it was a tie game and Vegas weren't playing the best the could've. A'ja and Kez were putting in the most work with their rebounds and Kezie's 3s. Well, after she got the rebound, she was completely shoved to the floor and the whistle was blown. She knew Dearica did it, because she made a comment seconds before it. Kez didn't even notice the blood on her lip when she got back up, turned her around and shoved Dearica to the floor. That's when everyone ran to interfere.

"Get the fuck up! You asked for that shit! Fuckin' bitch." Kez scoffed, pushing herself out of A'ja's arms to go back to bench because clearly she was gonna get kicked from the game, and probably the next.

"Locker room, now," Becky ordered, not particularly upset about her 2nd tech, more just the fact that they had been losing badly and she was the main one keeping them from losing this game. The quarter ended anyways so they took that to go back to the locker room to cool off. Nobody spoke a word to her on the way there, and she didn't say anything either. She did feel a little guilty for doing that knowing her kids were in the audience, but sometimes you just had to show you weren't one to be messed with.

"Go get checked out," Kelsey said to her as her girlfriend had just went to sit down. "I wasn't asking. Go. Now." She said more sternly. Kez sighed, getting up and leaving the locker room to do exactly as told. It was awkwardly silent until Becky entered the room and asked what happened out there. "I mean- it was bound to happen. They were really aggressive with each other. That push was the last straw I guess," A'ja said, her teammates nodding in agreement.

"Alright, well, I was just informed Kez is going to be out for the rest of this game and the next. So, you guys gotta step the fuck up. If one of you gets knocked down, you all get knocked down. We're on a winning streak right now. Are we gonna let that end tonight? Are you gonna let one of your teammates get knocked down and not respond? No. You aren't. This just got personal." Becky spoke, looking around at all of them.

"We ain't losin' tonight." A'ja stated, looking over her team.

» »

"I'm fine. It's a tiny cut. You're acting like I died and came back to life," Kez complained, pushing the light away from her face. "You hit your head. You could have a concussion. This check-up is necessary," the woman said, already growing frustrated with her dismissive behavior. "I have a medical license. I think I would know if I had a concussion. Just clean up the cut so I can leave," Kez replied stubbornly.

Before she could reply, the door was pushed open, Kelsey walking in with a smile. "Is she giving you a hard time?"

"Yes," they both responded in unison.

She shot a small glare to her girlfriend, "I wasn't asking you." She turned to the woman with an apologetic smile, "sorry about her. She has trust issues. Do whatever you need to do. She won't give you anymore trouble." Kez furrowed her brows, going to object until she saw the look she got. "Whatever. But when you clear me, don't tell me I didn't tell you so," she muttered.

"Keziyah. Shut up." Kelsey huffed in annoyance, leaning against the wall, keeping distance so she wasn't in the way of the woman doing her job. She cooperated with all the little tests and obviously she was cleared. She couldn't even smirk in fear of sleeping on the couch tonight. She got a little bandage put on the cut so they could finally leave. "Well...at least you didn't punch her."

"I just wanted to show her she can't push me around. She's lucky all she got was a push. Now I got a fucked up lip and it's definitely gonna hurt to not kiss you." Kez said, starting to wish she punched her just for that. "Is that seriously where your priorities lie? Not the fact that you can't play in the next game?" Kelsey questioned in disbelief. Kez nods as if it was the most obvious thing in the world. "Yes! Do you know how hard it is to not kiss you like- all the time? It is very hard. Like painful almost. And that look you're giving me right now- makes me wanna kiss you."

"You're just saying that," Kelsey denied.

"You'd know if I was lying, baby." Kez smirked, pushing into the locker room, all the talking suddenly turning into silence at her presence. "Why is it so quiet? Did someone die?" She queried, plopping down on Kelsey's chair. "Not that I know of," Syd voiced, shrugging her shoulder.

"Get out of my chair," Kelsey scoffed, grabbing onto her arm to tug her out. "No, it feels better when it's yours!" She objected, resisting against her. "That makes no sense!" Kez rolled her eyes, "yes it does," she grunts, getting out of the chair. "You're lucky I'm injured and weak right now," she mumbled, grabbing her clothes so she could change back into her street clothes now that she was out of the game.

"You have a tiny cut on your lip, dramatic ass," Kelsey retorts, plopping down on her chair as Kez sat down in hers to take off her shoes. "You say that until I can't get in between your l-" Kelsey quickly slapped a hand over her mouth with a look of disbelief, "filter, Keziyah. Filter."

"Point still stands."

» »

Kez jumped out of her seat, pointing an accusing finger at the line where Paige's foot had been when she shot a three. "Her foot was on the line! It don't count!" She exclaimed. "Snitch," Paige scoffed in disbelief and amusement, seeing how quick Kez was to snitch on her. They reviewed the footage and it was proven that her foot was on the line so it was only gonna count for a two. "Wow. Okay, I see how it is. I see how it is." Paige nods, and Kez laughed, holding her hands up in mock surrender.

The Aces were playing with a sudden fire in them, getting nothing but buckets and it was very satisfying to see. Kez was on the sidelines shouting and throwing out some praises like she was the coach herself. She also loved throwing some comments at Paige whenever she could. They were at the last seconds of the 3rd when Kate stole the ball and shot a deep three just before the buzzer hit.

"Oh shit! That's how it's done! Come on, Money Martin!" Kez exclaimed proudly, jumping up and down with the rest of the bench, hyping up their girl. "I could cry right now. I feel like a proud parent." She sniffled, and Alysha laughed lightly, using her hands to fan her face. "I love this 'lil Iowa girl. Where's the adoption papers? I'll share custody." She expressed in full seriousness.

The 4th QTR was a little intense, they were up by 4, but the Sparks were certainly catching up and Paige was already fired up. The whistle was blown and a foul was called on A'ja for apparently fouling Cameron Brink. "Nah, that wasn't a foul. We gotta challenge that. I didn't know we was handin' out free throws tonight," Kez scoffed, and Becky took her word and decided to use one of their challenges.

Kez literally went over to tell the ref what angle to look at because she knew for a fact it shouldn't have counted for a foul. No way were the Sparks gonna get some free throws on her watch. She didn't care how awkward dinner would be after this. They were not losing. The challenge had been successful, and she had the most arrogant smile when the camera was on her. "Told ya."

The game resumed, A'ja threw the ball in to Jackie and she threw it to Kate. The blonde passed to Kelsey who did a step back on Paige and shot a three. "That was sexy." Kez comments, clapping her hands together with a small smirk. "You know you're mic'd up, right?" Chelsea cackled. She held her hands up in surrender, "I can't lie- I totally forgot about that."

Sparks took a timeout, and Kamari took this time to bring Kaidyn over to Kez because he had been very anxious and she knew he would calm down in her presence. "Go over to Mums, okay?" He nodded at his sister's words, and she waited till he was close enough to go back to her seat. "Hi, baby boy. You like the game?" Kez smiled, bringing him into her arms whilst making sure his headphones were on correctly. He frowned, looking at her lip with concerned eyes. "It's just a scratch. Mama's perfectly fine, I promise," she reassured.

She brought him onto her lap as the team gathered around with Becky to discuss their plays. Kelsey took a seat next to her girlfriend and Kaidyn's eyes brightened when she sent him a smile. Syd held her hand up for a high five and he just stared at it in confusion. "Does he know what a high five is?" Syd questioned, baffled that she was just ignored like that.

"Of course he does. He just don't wanna touch your sweaty hands," A'ja retorts, quick to defend her nephew. She knew he was a little germaphobe like his mother. KB held her hand up and Kaidyn gave her a high five with a small smile. "Yeah, he just don't like you, Syd," AC remarked. A'ja chuckled, holding her fist out and he smiled at her, giving her a gentle fist bump.

The game resumed, and Paige responded with a three. Kaidyn smiled, clapping his hands together in applause. Kez chuckled, awkwardly pushing his hands back down, causing him to look at her in confusion. "No, no, we don't cheer for Paigey today, okay? She's the competition." Kaidyn nods in understanding, only clapping when the Aces scored.

"Gotta teach 'em young," Kez shrugged at Chelsea's amused look. "Teachin' him to be a hater you mean."

Kelsey shot another three with seconds left in the 4th, and Kai jumped up excitedly, clapping his hands together. "Put your biceps up," Kez instructed and he giggled, copying her and Alysha who were showing him how to flex like Kelsey.

Aces won 71-69. It was a good game, and just overall an enjoyable watch. They were still on their undefeated streak so that was a plus. Kez left Kaidyn with Syd so she could go find Dearica. She obviously wanted no bad blood between them. The cameras followed her unsurprisingly and people moved out of the way for her to get through. "All good, yeah?" She asked, holding her hand up to the woman. Dearica nodded with a small smile, "all good." She accepted her hand and they shared a hug.

When she returned to find her child, he and Syd were playing (?) tug-of-war with the basketball. "Give it back! I had it first! I'm gonna tell your mom on you!" Syd threatened, but he was unfazed, glaring at her as he held onto the ball for dear life. "This is why she's not allowed to babysit anymore." Kez mumbled under her breath.

"You should not be this strong for your age! What are they feeding you?" Syd groaned, sliding to the floor as her hands began to slip.

"Kai, let go of the ball. We gotta go!" Kez called, and he let go, causing Syd to completely fall on the floor. Kaidyn snickered mischievously and ran over to his mum, letting her scoop him up. "You have fun with Auntie Syd?" Kez chuckled, and he giggled, nodding his head. "That child is evil," Syd mumbled, taking Alysha's hand to pull herself up.

"I hope they caught all that on video," Kierstan added.

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a/n: so, I'm not sure which team they should play next...I was thinking Lynx but for the first round of the playoffs, and then they'll play the fever for the semis, and obviously the Liberty for the finals

should i add a smut scene...??

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