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“What the fuck?” I muttered.

I clicked on the profile to make sure it was really him. Niggas be scamming, so you could never be too sure. Once I verified it was him, I went back to the message. Why would he want me to represent him? There were so many other agents. But then I thought about it. MLB money was good, and he did just sign a crazy ass contract. I wouldn’t have to do so much unnecessary traveling because his home base would be Baltimore.

Should I even consider this?

If he were anybody else, I wouldn’t even be questioning it. A client like Juvie could open a lot of doors, not just for me, but for him. With my connections, I could have him swimming in endorsements and deals. Brands would be begging to have Juvie on their team. But he wasn’t just anybody. If I thought about it too long, I wouldn’t respond.

Me: Hey, Juvie. Send me your availability for the next few days. We can set up a consultation to discuss what you’re looking for.

I locked my phone and got right back to work. The amount of work I needed to get done before Thanksgiving had me so stressed out. One thing was for sure: I was spending Thanksgiving with my family uninterrupted. My clients knew, and everyone else knew too. They were liable to get cussed out in the worst way.

“Jesus, Savannah, close that laptop and enjoy this view, mami. There’s not enough work in the world to miss sweaty men running back and forth on a court,” Jacinta said, fanning herself and blowing kisses at her husband.

I glanced at her and shook my head. “You are so thirsty. No wonder y’all got four kids.”

“I’m not ashamed. Just look at him.”

While Jacinta admired her man, I was closing deals. Babies and marriage were great; I just didn’t know if I was cut out to be a mother. I always envisioned my life being the rich auntie. Showing up with fire ass gifts, spoiling the kids, and sending them back to their parents. Kids required you to slow down. Selfishness? Out the door. Nannies and babysitters when you wanted to do grown shit. You had to plan your whole life around them, and I couldn’t see myself there yet. Maybe in five years. But, for now, I valued my freedom.

My phone buzzed again, and this time it was a call. I looked down, and Shaina was calling. We hadn’t made up completely yet, so I was still a little salty. But I wasn’t mad enough to ignore her, so I answered.

“What do you want, Messy Ass Mildred?”

“Savi… It’s Selene. I’m outside her house. She done packed up her shit and said she’s leaving with the kids. Can you please come help me? It’s a mess over here.”

I closed my laptop immediately and sat up straight. I tossed it beside me and waved my arms around to get Emery’s attention.

“I’m on my way. Keep Selene calm and make sure the girls are okay. Jesus. I love you,” I said quickly.

“Okay. I love you, too.”

I hung up the phone, and Emery finally looked my way. He called a timeout as soon as he saw the look on my face. He came flying up the bleachers, and Jacinta stood up too.

“Mami, you alright? What’s wrong? Your hands are shaking,” Jacinta muttered, grabbing my hand.

“I’m alright. It’s my sister. I have to handle something. I’ll text you later,” I said, giving her hand a light squeeze.

“Okay.” She nodded. “Let me know if you need anything.”

I turned around, and Emery was right in my space, gripping my shoulders. “What’s wrong, Vannah? Why you lookin’ like that?”

“It’s my sister Selene. Something’s going on at her house. Shaina called me. They need me,” I said, moving closer to him.

“Go handle that. Call me if you need me. My assistant gon’ keep an eye on my phone during the game. I’ll leave in the middle of this shit if it comes to it.”

Emery kissed my forehead and started helping me with my bags. Jacinta passed me my purse, and Emery gathered my laptop bag and tote.

“I’ll text you once I make it there. I love you,” I said, quickly brushing my lips against his.

“I love you, too. Drive safe, baby.”

I threw my bags over my shoulder and almost ran up the bleachers to leave. Whatever was going on, I prayed Selene kept a cool head. I knew how she would cut up if Khalil had her fucked up. I pressed the gas harder, jaw tight, replaying the last time she and Khalil had a fight.

Selene’s house was on a cul-de-sac, so when I pulled up, I could see totes of shit in the front yard. Their neighbors were outside being nosy, like they were raking leaves with two leaves in the yard. Two of my nieces were crying on the porch, but I didn’t see Selene or Shaina. I parked my truck behind Shaina’s pickup and jumped out.

“Auntie Sav!” my youngest niece, Everly, screamed, running toward me.

Everly was eleven and still very much the baby. But the way she was crying let me know shit was bad. My oldest niece stood there, silently crying. I grabbed Everly’s hand and pulled her toward Eastlyn.