The next day, we were back at it, this time, hosting the Kings at home.
Warmups were done. I was leaning near the scorer's table, towel draped around my neck, talking with Asher.
"If I got time after we beat y'all, I'll come through and see your kid, bro." he said, adjusting his jersey.
I smirked. "Bro, you really feelin' yourself now that they threw you in the starting five, huh?"
He grinned and waved me off. "Man, stop it. We'll catch up after."
The buzzer sounded, and we made our way to the court.
Kings ball. Asher brought it up the floor. He swung it left, then cut back right, dishing it to DeMarcus Cousins, who tried to slip in for an early cut.
I rotated quick. Got in front of him. Met him.
Boogie grunted, backing off. They kept the pressure coming, but we held it down early. My jumper was falling.
We built a solid lead heading into halftime.
-Third Quarter.
That's when Asher really started cooking.
Floaters. Pull-ups. He was in his zone.
-POV Commentator
"Asher Godsmith is making a real case for himself tonight. The Kings might've struck gold with this kid."
-POV Pres
We were holding on to a slim lead.
Then came the play.
I caught the ball on the wing, one-on-one with Boogie up top. I gave him a quick jab step, then exploded off my right foot, cocking the ball back. I was going for the poster. "all the way."
Mid-air, Cousins stepped in hard. I felt the contact across my arms, and then his full weight came down.
Right on my foot.
I hit the ground awkwardly. Pain flared up immediately in my ankle.
The whistle blew for the foul, but I didn't get up right away.
-POV Commentator
"Hold up… Franklin's still down."
"This is the last thing Orlando wants to see… yeah, he's hurt. You hate to see that."
Trainer rushed over. Coach too.
I waved them off at first, but the pain was persistent.
Coach leaned in. "We're pulling you, Frank."
"Coach, I'm good."
"You're limping."
I cursed under my breath, then nodded. "Alright. Fine."
I limped off, towel over my head, pissed.
-POV Commentator
"Franklin Lincoln heading to the bench. We don't have an update yet, but it doesn't look good. Might be precautionary, but it's a hit either way."
Without me, we tried to hold the lead, but Asher kept hitting floaters. Cousins bullied his way inside late. Final score: Kings 114 – Magic 111.
Asher jogged over postgame, breathing heavy.
"You good?" he asked.
"I'ma be alright." I said, forcing a grin. "Nice game, though. Don't get used to it."
Later...
That same evening, we went back to my place. Asher got the chance to meet my son, his godson now and said a quick hello to Parker.
Later, Asher and I stepped out onto the terrace. I leaned against the railing, sipping a bottle of water.
"Your ankle holding up?" he asked, glancing down at it.
"Yeah, man. I swear it's nothing. Just hurt in the moment, but I'm good now." I said, brushing it off.
He nodded, then tilted his chin toward the living room window, where Parker was rocking Dean slowly.
"That your girl then? Or... not yet?"
I let out a quiet laugh. "Nah. Not right now anyway. We cool though. We'll see what happens, I'm not rushing it."
There was a little silence. Then he spoke again.
"Actually, I was gonna tell you , we're locking in the date for the wedding. Me and Paige. London. Figured I'd do something classy for once."
I grinned and clapped his shoulder. "Say less, bro. Just tell me when and I'll be there."
He smiled, appreciative. We stayed out there a bit longer, talking about the old days, the league, fatherhood, everything in between. Eventually, he headed out. I walked him to the door, dapped him up.
"Proud of you, man." he said before leaving.
"You too, bruh. I'll see you soon."
I shut the door behind him.
The next morning was recovery. No team facility, no trainers, I wanted to do it at home. I rolled out of bed, took a long stretch, then dragged myself to the bathroom to wash up and get myself together.
As I made my way downstairs, I caught Parker already moving around in the kitchen.
"Morning. You're up early." I said, rubbing my eyes.
"Good mornin." she replied with a soft smile. "Yeah… since you're home today, you're on Dean duty. I need to get some fresh air, clear my head a bit."
"Oh yeah, of course. I got it. Go enjoy yourself bab—" I caught myself mid-word. Almost said babe without even thinking. "Go on, you good." I corrected.
She raised a brow, like she heard the slip but chose to let it slide. "See you tonight." she said before grabbing her things and heading out.
A few minutes later, the doorbell rang. My chef, Loukas Lumos, stepped inside, chill as always.
"Morning, Pres. What can I whip up for you today?" he asked, unloading his gear.
"Honestly? Something fresh. Light breakfast, I trust you. I'm gonna go grab my son real quick." I said, pointing upstairs.
I headed back up, scooped up Dean gently, kid was still half-asleep and brought him downstairs to set him in the living room bassinet. I wanted him where I could see him.
Just a slow, calm morning. The kind you start to appreciate more when your life is full of flights, cameras.
The morning went well. I watched some film, answered a few texts from the team, nothing crazy. Lumos was already setting up for lunch.
Then it hit me.
Not the food. Not the spices.
That smell.
My head turned slow toward the bassinet.
Seconds later, the crying started. Loud.
"Ain't no way." I muttered, already knowing. "Bruh…"
I walked over, peeked in the bassinet, yeah, it was in that diaper. My guy was kicking, screaming.
"Alright man, I got you… I got you." I sighed, already regretting not asking Parker for a tutorial before she dipped.
I grabbed the changing bag, laid Dean down on the couch carefully, and unstrapped the onesie.
"Whew! You tryna knock me out or what?" I said, waving my hand in front of my face.
He just cried louder.
Took me some minutes, but I handled it.
Held him up like Simba when it was done. "Boom. That's how you do it."
Dean blinked at me, dead silent now.
Lumos poked his head out the kitchen. "You good over there, Pres?"
"Yeah, don't worry it was nothing." I said, shaking my head with a little laugh.