Picture Perfect

10.

~Kyler~

I walk Natalie out to thank her for coming.

"This was really cool. Your big ass family in there. You and Jabari are really more than just teammates. No wonder you guys both play so well together. Ya'll are certainly taking the lions to the Finals this year." She encourages me.

"Oh you think so?" I smile.

"I know so." She laughs. "Thank you for having me. I'll have to catch up with you next time I'm here."

"For sure."

"That is, if it's okay with Sam." She scratches her nose with a smirk.

I frown up my expression a bit.

"What you mean?"

"That little comment she made, she was testing me. She likes you. She was trying to feel me out."

"Nah."

"Naive. Or you're just playing stupid cause you're involved with that and don't want no problems. It may have been a while, but I still know you. You're still my best friend Ky. Don't worry. Your secret is safe with me."

"She's married."

"She's unhappy. That picture perfect facade is some bullshit. It only took two seconds for me to pick that apart. The ones who hide behind God are the biggest demons. I'm sure Garrison has his pickings in them hotel lobbies, and I'm sure you know that. Just don't take advantage of it, is all I'm saying. Things could get messy and I wouldn't want you to fuck up your career behind some shit like this."

I just squint unsure of how to respond. She does know me. This girl was my rock when I was trying to navigate being a Bio-Med major and a basketball player. I thought that if anything went wrong with my basketball career I should have something to fall back on. We met in first year life skills and were joined at the hip the rest of the time I was at UCF.

"I don't know what you're talking about."

"Right. I'll see you later." She laughs.

"Happy thanksgiving." We hug once again and I make sure she gets in the car okay.

When I get back in the house I see Jariel and Sam in the kitchen doing the dishes. As Eli and Jabari sit in the living room with the twins putting them to sleep.

Mama Giselle comes into the kitchen with some more plates from the table.

"I got 'em Mama." I take them from her.

"Oh you're too sweet."

"Go enjoy yourself." I wave for her to go socialize in the living room with the rest of the party. My parents headed back to the hotel not too long ago as they aren't ones to be out too late. Unc also left as I was outside with Nat.

"Jari, I can help your Aunt, go spend some time with your parents." I tell her.

"Okay. Thank you Uncle Ky." She hugs my leg and runs off into the living room to sit next to Eli.

"Jari you got to pick a movie for us baby." Giselle tells her.

"Encanto!" She screams.

"Encanto." Both Eli and Jabari say at the same time as her.

"We watch this shit every other day. But I guess."

"Encanto it is." Maverick agrees.

Sam holds her silence as I finish taking the dishes out of the dishwasher to go over them with the towel to dry.

"Samantha." I try to get her attention and she acts like she doesn't hear me.

She turns to place the plates back in the cabinet and I move up behind her. My body just barely touching hers.