Epilogue #3
Leo dropped his spoon into his bowl and looked at me. “Look, woman, do you want to be my girlfriend or nah?”
Of course, I said yes.
And it’s been one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.
“Looking at the third quarter,” I started, easing back into the live stream after composing myself. “Leo made a game-changing steal followed by a fast-break dunk that sent the crowd into a frenzy. This moment was pivotal, shifting the momentum in favor of the Ballers.”
Leo had been working hard. The season had just started, but his determination to lead his team to the championship was palpable. I believed in him and his vision, and I was confident he and his team could achieve it.
I was proud of him—proud of us, too. Somehow, we’d figured this thing out, navigating life together in a way that worked.
Levi had a balanced schedule with both of us chipping in, plus support from Kendra’s parents, Tyrell’s mom, and our own mothers.
It truly was taking a village, and yet, there were still days when it felt overwhelming.
I didn’t know how people did it alone, but I had nothing but admiration for those who managed it.
Grief counseling had become my regular reason to leave Greene Gardens. My connection with Rylee had grown, and she was now someone I considered a close friend. She was a steady light in those moments when Kendra’s absence felt like a shadow threatening to engulf me.
“Leo’s role as a team leader was more apparent than ever last night, y’all,” I continued, glancing back at my notes.
“Watching him communicate on the court, set up plays, and rally his team was like attending a masterclass in basketball leadership. His performance last night is a testament to his hard work and dedication, both on and off the court.”
The words had barely left my mouth when the office door swung open.
“Yo…” Leo called, pointing at me, then at himself. “It’s time to pay up.” He winked. “You and me. The bed upstairs, right now. Everything off.”
I widened my eyes at him, caught between surprise and amusement.
“Don’t give me that look,” he added with a smirk, his tone teasing.
“You lost the bet when you said I couldn’t pass as much as I shot in last night's game. Well, I proved you wrong, and now it’s time to pay up and for you to do that thing I like.
So, please may we head up to the bed upstairs?
No clothes though. I’ll even give you a massage first… even though you lost the bet.”
I gestured at my phone’s camera with my eyes, hoping he’d catch the hint.
“Oh, shit!” His hand flew to his mouth in horror. “Are you hosting a live right now?”
I squeezed my eyes shut, covering my face as I started laughing.
Unfazed, Leo stepped into the room and leaned down to peer directly into the camera.
“What up, y’all?” he greeted, flashing a wide grin.
The comments exploded, streaming in faster than I could read them.
“What my lady on here talking about?” Leo asked, looking between me and the screen.
I snorted.
“Oh, me?” He grinned, his gaze shifting to me. “You’re talking about me?”
“I am.”
“Good things?”
I winked. “Great things.”
“Last night’s game?” he whispered.
“Mm-hmm,” I replied, trying not to laugh. “I watched the post-game interview, by the way.” I pinched his arm, making him laugh. “You better stop calling me that.”
He leaned in and pressed a kiss to my neck, his voice low against my skin. “I thought I was starting to make you love it.”
“Get out,” I whispered, biting back a smile.
“I’m gonna make you love it,” he murmured with a smirk.
“I’d love to see it,” I mumbled, shaking my head.
“I’m gonna check on Levi,” he said, leaving a soft kiss on my lips that made me blush. “And I’ll be watching your live from the bed… where I want you after you’re done.”
“You better leave,” I whispered.
Leo snickered as he walked to the door, turning back to address my viewers. “Y’all treat her well. Peace.”
I couldn’t help but giggle, shaking my head as I ran a hand along the side of my face.
I swear, this is exactly why my new sports editor insisted I record my commentary videos from home.
This wasn’t the first time Leo had interrupted one of my lives, and my interruptions during his live streams had become equally common.
Those moments were what led to our sponsorships and brand deals with lifestyle and baby product companies.
As much as I pretended to be annoyed, I secretly loved it.
“Psst,” I heard from the office door.
I glanced over to see him winking at me.
“I’m serious about that bed, Pressman.” He smirked. “And that massage.”
“Go!” I shouted, laughing as he backed out of the room.
Before closing the door, he opened it again to say, “I love you.”
A smile broke across my face. “I love you too.”
I bit my bottom lip, trying to refocus on the camera.
“I’m sorry, y’all.” I giggled nervously, throwing my hands in the air. “As you already know, every so often, you’re gonna spot a Baller around here.” I smiled at the flood of mushy responses pouring in. “All right, that’s enough of those comments. Let’s get back to it. Where was I?”
After finishing the recording and ending the live, I pushed my office chair back and stood to my feet en route to bed.
The night was still early, just after 9 p.m. Leo and I had dinner earlier—food we’d prepared together, like we often did now.
I could already predict that someone had recorded that live and it would end up on a sports blog or in a feed online. That was just how it went these days.
When I opened the master bedroom door—a room that was once only mine but was now ours—Leo looked up from where he was reclined on the bed.
“I love a woman who follows orders,” he teased, sitting up and setting his phone beside him. “Great live, as always.”
“Thank you.” I smiled, gesturing toward Levi’s nursery. “Was he still sleeping when you checked in on him?”
“Like a log,” Leo replied, motioning for me to come to him.
I didn’t hesitate, climbing onto the bed and straddling him, my legs draped on either side of his hips.
“I’m sorry I interrupted your live,” he said, his hands running up and down my thighs, his touch warm and familiar.
I trailed my fingers up his bare chest, stopping at his shoulders. “They loved it. Like always.”
Leaning forward, I pressed my lips to his, parting them just enough to slide my tongue against his. The kiss was slow and deep, leaving us both moaning into each other as his body melted into mine.
He quickly flipped us over, pressing me into the bed beneath him, his weight grounding me in the best way.
“So, how are you planning to pay up tonight?” he asked, his lips tracing kisses along my neck. “It’s your choice, baby... even though you lost the bet. But I can be a gentleman about it.”
“Mmm,” I hummed, arching into his touch. “I’ll do whatever you want me to do. Just tell me. I always make good on my bets.”
“My girl.”
I snickered softly as he captured my lips again, his kiss stealing my breath and making my heart race.
My life was now the complete opposite of what I once thought I wanted. The idea of being in a relationship and having a baby used to fill me with so much anxiety that I swore it could never be for me.
I was so worried when Kendra told me she was having a baby, concerned about how much her life—and mine by extension—would change.
And it did change... for the better.
Bittersweet, yet undeniably better.
THE END.