Tremaine, Tristian, & Travis in MM

C H A P T E R
S E V E N T E E N

Getting off the bus along with his two friends Rakim and Meech, Travis tugged at his backpack straps then turned to wave bye to Winter as the bus passed them before speed walking to catch up with his boys who were deep in conversation.

"Nigga that's bullshit, you just one of them bandwagon ass fans .. anybody who poppin' at the moment you think they the best." Rakim argued.

"What is y'all two niggas arguing about now?"

"Meech over here talm bout Lebron James and Stephen Curry both better than Kobe Bryant. That's bullshit, Kobe is one of the GOATs, one of the best niggas to ever play and he just gon' disrespect my mans like he ain't shit. Like them niggas good I'll give em that, but they still got a lot of ways to go before we can just flat out say they better than a nigga who was in the game for years beasting and remained loyal to a team even when they had bad seasons. Yo homie Lebron quick to bounce when his teams start lacking .. signing one year contracts and shit."

Meech shrugged, "It's all about the stats man, they putting up numbers even more numbers than Kobe so whatever you say just going through one ear and out the other."

"Man whatever, while you at it get they dick out ya mouth." He spat shoving his shoulder before turning his attention to Travis. "But anyways, so whatchu think Trav? Kobe or them other niggas?"

Stuffing his hands in his pockets, he smiled. "I'm sorry Meech, but I'm with Rakim. I'd pick Kobe over anybody anyday. Even Jordan."

Stopping mid-walk, Rakim laughed as he grabbed Travis by his backpack when he tried to pass him. "See man you had me until you said my mans was better than my mans Jordan. That's a whole lie."

"No it ain't, Kobe and Magic better than that nigga. They were versatile, team players and I will say Lebron is versatile too since he doesn't even have a set position, I feel that's what makes you a good ass player .. they weren't all for going for theirs like these dudes now, they stats could and would be higher if they were selfish like Jordan."

"Nah, I'm sorry man, but when my pops showed me that game when Jordan played while he was sick .. I looked at that nigga totally different. I mean this man was running off the court throwing up, they were reporting that this nigga had the shakes and all but still played even though he was damn near dead my nigga. Dude was coming back out and busting threes on that ass and playing hella defense and was the lead scorer that night with all that shit going on .. so sorry man I love Kobe, that's my boy but Jordan he the truth."

Travis smacked his teeth, "Boy what tha fuck, yo ass wasn't even born when that damn game happened. Get tha fuck out." Meech started laughing along with Travis.

"Okay and? Either way the game still happened and the dude showed us why he is and will always be one of the best."

"What person you know finna play a full ass game of basketball while he got the shakes? When you sick, yo body already weak and sore, so who would in they right mind work their body like that when they body barely even functioning? That was a publicity stunt, my grandpa said it himself." Travis argued knowing he could argue all day when it came to sports.

This was the usual for these boys, they'd walk home together talk about girls and sports but all it ever took was for one of them to go against who they felt and believed was and is the best and the argument goes on from there.

Rakim just waved him off, "Whatever,"

"What about Kareem? That nigga was a beast too .. now I'm not gon' say he better than Jordan but he is better than Kobe." Meech asked.

All the guys stared at each other for a second before they nodded finally agreeing on something. "I'll agree on that, its a few players who could be ranked even higher if they just got a ring. Like Carmelo, that nigga been playing for a minute and ain't got shit to show for it. Now him out of all people I support and watch needs a damn ring. I'm tired of waiting."

"He plays for a sorry ass team, he need to be like Kevin Durant and move tha fuck around to a winning team." Meech said.

Travis shook his head, "Nah, I feel like thats taking the easy route though, like I don't like how Kevin left Okc the way he did. I felt it was stupid. I mean the season before he left, Okc were this close to beating the number one team .. all he had to do was come back ten times harder that next season and they probably would've won."

"That's true," both boys agreed.

Approaching Meech house first, they all slapped hands. "We playing 2k tonight right? My mama finally gave me my Playstation back so now I can get back to whooping y'all ass again." Meech joked opening up the metal gate that lead to his house.

"I would but my pops back home so we all going out tonight, but I'm on that ass tomorrow though." Rakim answered.

"What about you Trav?"

"I told Winter I was gon' call her tonight sorry man,"

"Man fuck y'all, and tell Winter she need to fall back you were my bestfriend first." Meech said really upset his boys were becoming busy now.

Using his key to get into the house, the boys followed in behind him going straight to the kitchen for snacks.

"I'll come over tomorrow and we can play .. I promise plus I also got training tonight so tonight just ain't a good night."

Grabbing gatorades out the fridge, Meech tossed them both one along with some gummy snacks before leaning over the bar to continue on the conversation. "How is that going?"

"It's going good, like he cool than a fan forreal and he trains really good. It was hard at first but it gets easier each time and he motivates me with his words of encouragement along with him and his friends that help out sometimes. They lowkey better than our own damn coaches."

"Word?" Rakim questioned, with a curious look on his face before gulping down his gatorade.

"Yeah, but let me get going so I can go home and change so I'll be ready for when he comes and picks me up."

All three guys slapped hands before Rakim and Travis left out of Meech's house. Meech lived only two blocks away from them but they always made sure he got home safely first since his mama always worried about him after the time he got jumped by some dudes who wanted his Jordans.

Luckily, Rakim and his older brother were walking home from the store so they broke it up before they could even get his shoes and ever since they made sure to watch after him.

People looked at Meech as an easy target because he was short, but he wasn't small size wise. He had muscles, and a six-pack from working out, but his height always mislead people and they took advantage of that. Especially with  Travis already being 5'11 at only fifteen and Rakim being 6'1 they automatcially assumed Meech was the weaker link with him being 5'6.

It was safe to say that the boys didn't live in the best area but it was literally nothing they could do about their circumstances so they just toughed it out and remained loyal to one another. They had been friends for a while mostly because of the neighborhood but school brought them closer.

After Travis walked Rakim to his house, he had one more block to walk until he reached his foster home and he was honestly excited about going home for once.

He loved his foster parents but they were annoying at times especially when they constantly assumed something was wrong with him and asked a million questions. But he knew they were just concerned about his well-being and only wanted whats best for him so he stopped being so distant and so hard on em and they immediately noticed the change truly thankful that the therapy sessions were helping.

When he turned the corner that lead to his street, he stopped when he saw Tristian standing only a few inches away from him leaned up against the fence. "Just the man I was looking for. What's up little bro?" He greeted going in for a hand slap but Travis made no movement to slap his hand.

"Whatchu looking for me for? Anytime other time you don't want shit to do with me."

He chuckled, "I know and that's my fault .. I just got some questions for you then I'll be out your way."

Travis watched as he reached in his hoodie pocket pulling out his phone. He waited impatiently as he watched his finger scroll through whatever before he finally flipped his phone around and showed him a picture of Ahmad. "You know this man?"

Travis looked at the picture then at his brother a few times before slowly nodding, "Yeah why?"

"Don't worry about all that, now do you know his sister?"

"She's dead, that's all I know why?" Travis knew Amira was very much alive, but something was sketchy about all of this so Travis wasn't gonna say anything.

He found it weird how he had been trying to reach out to Tristian for days and never got nothing in return and now all of sudden Tristian is here and is claiming he's been looking for him. He didn't trust Tristian and he wasn't sure what exactly he was up too so he was gonna act as if he knew nothing.

"He told you that himself?"

"Yeah, they celebrated her death anniversary the other day .. now again why do you wanna know all of this? How do you know him?"

"Stop asking questions Trav, the less you know the better. Now anyways do you know where he lives?"

"Nah, I ain't never been to his house," He lied knowing he was just over there yesterday.

"Damn, alright well just do me a favor and watch that nigga for me alright? Tell me if you see him doing anything sketchy like talking to cops or some shit. Can you do that for me?"

"I'm not doing anything until you tell me something. Is something wrong? Do I need to stay away from Ahmad?"

"Nah, he cool for now but I can't explain what is going on right now, but I need you to make sure he remains cool and ain't doing no sneaky shit. I'll holla at you in a few days for an update .. keep me posted though." Travis watched as Trisitan walked around him and jog across the street hopping in an all black SUV that had dark tinted windows so you couldn't see who was inside. He waited until the car sped off before continuing his journey to his house.

The closer he got he could see Ahmad's truck parked in front of his house causing him to walk faster. Ahmad spotted him and got out of his truck, pointing at his watch. "You're late play boy, where you been?"

"I know and I'm sorry but its something I think I need to tell you or I guess ask you." He explained slowly.

Ahmad gave him a weird look, "Um alright, well go change and we'll talk in the car .. but hurry I gotta stop by the store before we go to the park."

       After changing into his practice attire, he told his foster mom bye and that he loved her before jogging out the house and getting in the car. Putting on his seatbelt, he sat back as Ahmad slowly pulled off.

"So what's up?" Ahmad questioned getting straight into it, he was curious as to what he had to say.

"Alright, so you know how I told you all about my older brother Tremaine, well I also have another brother and he asked about you right before I got home which is why I was late. I felt I needed to tell you this because for one me and my brother literally have no type of relationship. We don't get along and he doesn't even like me. Like I personally feel like if that nigga had the chance to kill me he would .. so it shocked me when he was waiting for me at the corner on my way home but it shocked me even more when he started asking me questions about you."

Ahmad nodded, "Okay and what exactly did he ask?"

"First he just asked if I knew you and I told him yeah then he asked about your sister and I just told him she was dead because I don't know I just felt something was off with him." Ahmad continued to nod letting him know he was listening even though he wasn't facing him. "I know my brother isn't a good person so when he came to me tryna get all this info about you, I just acted like I knew nothing .. and then he asked if I knew where you lived."

"You said no right?"

"Yessir, but now he wants me to watch you to make sure you aren't talking to cops or doing some sneaky shit .. but I'm just confused as to what is going on, why would you be talking to cops in the first place?"

Ahmad finally looked over at Travis with a certain look in his eyes, he too was confused as to who his this nigga was as well especially since he asking personal shit. "What's your brother name?"

"Uh Tristian,"

Slamming on his breaks stopping dead in the center of the road, Ahmad ignored all of the cars honking and speeding around him as he connected everything in his head.

Travis clutched his chest breathing hard as ever watching Ahmad, he assumed Tristian and him must have had issues of some sort and even though he wanted to know why he reacted this way, he decided to remain quiet the rest of the ride. He felt like what Tristian said was right, the less he knows the better.

But Ahmad on the other hand was letting his mind run wild with everything he was just told and from the things he was previously told from Imani and Amira.

But he also felt like Tristian had a lot of balls to be asking about who he was, but he knew Tristian wouldn't want to start an issue with him cause Ahmad never played when it came to his people.

He was already pissed off for what he did to Imani and Amira, but he knew if Tristian did anything to put Cali or his kids in harms way all hell was breaking loose for sure and no mercy would have been shown.

But the more he thought about everything, a simple plan came to his mind. Everyone would be safe, no one would get hurt and the cops would be able to do their job and get him and his people easily.

        Sitting across from Nia, Justin and Amir all held a small conversation about the adoption process and things of that sort. "Well Amir and I were thinking and we now want two kids .. a boy and a girl .. doesn't matter the age just any child older than three. We would also like it if they were siblings as well. We hate to separate kids from their siblings."

Nia nodded, "That can be done, your background checks came back and like I assumed they were clean .. you guys passed the house inspection and the state interview so everything is literally in the green. When would you guys like to set up a date to go and see kids?"

The process of Adoption so far was going pretty easy for the guys and they were thankful for that especially after going to those classes and hearing stories about the bad side of adoption like crazy parents, and the separation of siblings. But even though they were close to being done, they still had so much more to do but they were ready for it and were ready to be parents.

"I work from home so I'm free whenever, but Amir works alot so we would have to see whenever his schedule is clear."

"That's perfectly fine, just let me know when you guys figure something out. I'm really excited about all of this and I'm truly happy for you guys."

"Thank you," Justin responded seeing that Amir wasn't really in the mood to talk.

The two had a small argument not too long before they arrived at the restuarant and Justin knew whenever Amir was pissed he stayed to himself and didn't speak.

Justin even partially blamed himself since he did pick the argument, but he didn't think the argument would have escalated to what it did.

What started off as just a simple conversation soon led to them yelling at each other when a certain person at Amir's job hit his phone up.

The person was a guy that had been trying his hardest to get at Amir soon as he found out he was gay. But Amir loved Justin and knew he would never cheat on him and mess up what they had going so whenever they talked it was strictly business.

But what pissed Justin off was the fact that they were going on a business trip and Amir and the guy would be sharing a room. Amir of course had no clue of this and he knew he would have changed it if he did but Justin just went off and started accusing him of cheating and the argument just went on from there.

And one thing Amir hated the most was being accused about something he was innocent in and that was Justin's and his main issue. Justin always felt it was someone else when in reality it was only him and would forever be him.

That was also another reasom why they hadn't got married yet, Amir wanted Justin to fully trust him before they tied the knot but he wasn't sure when that would even be since Justin overthinked every situation and made situations worse by looking too deep into shit.

They both knew by the end of the day they would be back on good terms but for now Amir was remaining quiet, he was still pissed.

"You're welcome, but um do you two have any questions or anything?"

"Um, I actually do .. not to be nosey or anything .. but I was just curious as to what made you choose this profession out of all professions?" Justin questioned taking a sip out of Amir's drink since he saw he wasn't gonna drink or eat his food.

"Um well .. after I had my miscarriage three almost four years ago, I became very depressed and bitter for a while. Especially since I had to deal with it all alone." She started off.

"The baby's father wasn't around?"

She shook her head no, "I never got the chance to tell him, I had planned too but he wanted nothing to do with me at the time and I don't blame him .. back then I was such a mess and crazy for no apparent reason and I drove him away now he's married with kids .. while I'm still single and childless."

Amir looked finally looked up then reached over grabbing her hand, "I'm sorry to hear that love,"

"It's fine, I've moved passed it .. I just felt that maybe him and I just weren't meant to have a child together. But I would like to at least get the chance to tell him, I mean it was his child at the end of the day ya know?"

Justin and Amir both nodded, "Yeah even though he has moved on, he does deserve to know."

"Yeah but thats part of the reason why I got into this profession, I wanted to help women and men like me get the kids they always wanted and it really does make me happy seeing them happy with their bundle of joy." She answered honestly.

After the whole miscarriage Nia did lose herself and she did become bitter which was why she snapped when she saw Cali and Ahmad out shopping together with Marquette.

It only reminded her of what they could have had, but now mentally and emotionally she was in a better place and she was happy.

But she also knew she needed to tell Ahmad about what happened, she was sure he probably wouldn't even care but she still felt at the end of the day that he needed to know he lost a child.

Her original plan was to use Justin and Amir to help her but she decided against it and just prayed that they would cross paths and would be able to talk.

They all talked a little longer before they left and went their separate ways. During the talk, Amir was actually more into the conversation but once they got in the car he was back silent the whole way home.

When they reached their apartment, Amir got out first not waiting for Justin like he usually would and headed up the stairs.

Watching him Justin sighed knowing he had to make things right before he messed shit up for himself and lost Amir for good.

When he reached their apartment door, he stepped inside to see