“That was a good workout today, my dude.”
“I appreciate you meeting me down here, Remy.”
I had been in the gym working out and I noticed the court was empty, so I decided to get some shots up and go through some drills. I called Remy to see if he wanted to join me and of course he jumped at the chance. Dude lives and breathes hoops. He’s kind of like Kevin Durant with a better haircut.
“I was upstairs about to watch The Godfather, so it wasn’t nothing. You know I’m trying to keep this starting job, fam.”
“I feel you. And I’m trying to earn mine.”
“It’s coming. You know it is. Just keep taking it all in stride, put in work when you get your time. I mean you have been doing your thing with that second unit. You keep our momentum up or give us that energy we need. You are the best backup point guard in the league.”
“I don’t know how I should feel about that.”
“You’re on track to being Sixth Man of the Year, dude. That’s a big deal. Steph Curry, Mike Bibby, Jr. They’ve won it. Your time is coming. And it all starts with you putting in this work right here.”
“Appreciate you, Remy.”
“We’re more than teammates. We are brothers, man. I’m about to hit the shower and finish my movie though. You want to get some pizza or something?”
“I’ll let you know. I’m going to stop by Mom’s and see what she has going on.”
We head to the elevators and wait. Just as the doors open, my phone buzzes in my pocket. It was my aunt. I could hear my two-year old twin cousins, Santana and Devin in the background. I wave Remy off, letting him know I’ll catch up with him later.
“What’s good, Auntie?”
“Noah, thank God you answered. The twins are having some type of meltdown this afternoon, can you pick up Jordan from school today? They had a short day. Your uncle is at practice and Devin and Carmen are out of town this week.”
“Say less.” I start to walk to the front desk and signal to the concierge for my keys. “I’m on my way. I haven’t seen my guy in like two weeks. We’re due for some time. We can hang today.”
“Thank you.” She sighed in relief. “The Montessori school—”
“On Court Street. I’m on my way.”
A few minutes later, my red Ferrari LaFerrari is in front of the building. A draft day gift from my uncle. Jordan loves my car. I got to the school about twenty minutes later. It looks like most of the kids had already been picked up. I head to the front office and let them know that I am here to pick up Jordan Baldwin. I show my ID and they verify that I am on the list. The secretary asks me to have a seat before calling his teacher to let her know that I was here.
Not long after the secretary made the call did I hear a pair of shoes clicking down the hallway and my cousin’s voice talking animatedly. I bend down waiting for him to run over to me, when my eyes zero in on a pair of smooth tan legs. I tear my eyes away follow those legs all the way up a pair of light brown eyes and a huge smile. I don’t remember my teachers looking like her when I was seven years old.
“Noah!” Jordan exclaimed and slammed into me, almost knocking me over. “I didn’t know you were coming! Where’s mom?”
“Sup, Lil J. Twins wouldn’t go down for a nap, so your mom asked me to pick you up. That cool?”
“Very cool!” He turned back to his teacher. “Ms. Hilliard, this is my favorite cousin Noah. He plays basketball and has a fast red car!”
I stand up and hold my hand out to his teacher. “Noah Baldwin. Nice to meet you, Ms. Hilliard.”
“Likewise. Please call me Kori. So, you’re the famous basketball playing cousin?”
“Um, yeah, I guess I am.”
“Noah talks about you and his dad all the time. I’ve heard quite a bit about you.”
“All good I hope.”
“Definitely. You are one of his favorite people.”
I looked down at Jordan, who is smiling brightly back at me. I ruffle his hair. It’s getting long and curly. I’ll text his mom and see if she’s good with me taking him to the barber shop.
“Well, he is definitely my favorite person.”
“Can we get some hot chocolate, Noah?”
“Uh, sure. You have any homework?”
“No homework today,” Kori answered.
“Well, then hot chocolate it is, my man. Think your mom would like some too?”
“Yeah, but not the twins.”
I hear a giggle and turn my attention back to Kori.
“Well, I guess that is my cue.” I hold out my hand again and she shakes it. “I’ll see you around Ms. Hilliard. I mean, Kori. Sorry.”
“Ms. Hilliard, come outside and see Noah’s fast red car!” Could he sense my reluctance to leave? This is why he’s my favorite person.
She hesitates for a second and then the kid turns on the charm. “Pleeeeeeease. It’s right outside.”
“It’ll only take a second.” I add.
“Sure. Why not?” She relents.
We walk outside to where my car is parked in front of the building.
“It’s cool, huh?” He was smiling so hard you'd think it was his car.
“Very cool, Mr. Jordan.”
“Noah, can you take Ms. Hilliard for a ride?”[/i]
My eyes widen at his question. And I noticed Kori is blushing too.
“Uh, sure. But not today. There’s only room for the two of us. But definitely another day if she’s up for it.”
“That would be, um, very nice of you, Noah. Thank you.”
I know she was kind of put on the spot, but so was I. Although, I have to admit that I didn’t mind.
“Cool. I’m going to hold you to it. I’ll see you around.”
I didn’t push for the phone number right then, but I meant what I said about seeing her again, I’ll make sure of it. I open the door for Jordan and buckle him into the seat. I walk around the car and notice that Kori is still standing outside. I wave to her over the roof of the vehicle and climb in.
As I start the engine, Jordan asks about the hot chocolate again.
“Can I get lots of marshmallows?”
“Kid, after that assist, you can have all the marshmallows in the world.”
“In the world? Wow!”
We pull away from the curb and head toward The Chocolate Room.
Shots fired
