Lost One

14

❝TAE❞

Tae decided that it would be a day without work and of relaxation on the sunny Wednesday and how he relaxed was his on the huge half-basketball court at his home. The court was blacked out with matte black hoops with his signature, his retired jersey number, and TUFF CROWD Doberman logo emblazoned on it in gold. The black wall surrounded the half-court/lounge area paid homage to NBA legends painted in murals in black and white by the hands of Toby and Lotus that took a full three weeks to achieve.

The trio Booker Brothas and Tyson were sweaty under the beaming sun. It was a two-on-two match of the only way the Booker's knew how to play; street ball. There was fouls, aggressive pushing and blocking. But it was all love. Although Tae might've been the basketball he wasn't the only one skilled being as Toby taught him every move he knew, De had it naturally watching his big brother, and Tyson remembering the training his father and uncle would do when he was younger.

The four were a competitive bunch aiming to win. Toby/De verses Tae/Tyson. They were so deep into the competition that they weren't even keeping track of the points anymore. Running towards the black hoop, Tae faked as if he would layup the orange ball that De started to block but instead, he passed it over his head to try out a throw to Tyson that he was wide open to catch. But unexpectedly, Toby appeared and stole the ball turning the planned layup his little brother would do into a full blown slam dunk.

Toby swung on the black hoop, sun shining on his glistening abs as De roared playfully in Tae's face, backing his tall build over his as he pushed forward. "Ay! Fuck wit us boy!"

Letting go of the black rim, Toby was grinning landing on his LEBRONs. "You thought I forgot that move? You can pull that move on me gangsta. I'm the one that taught you all those trick moves."

Tae laughed just as his phone rung from the lounge area a few steps off the half-court. "Fuck y'all. Me and nephew bout had you busters."

"All facts." Tyson pounded his fist to his uncle's as Tae went to retrieve his cellphone.

The contact name—BIGCRU, NOTDALILONE—flashed on his screen and he always done a chuckle at what Cru decided to type in. It was a incoming FaceTime and he answered. Toby was reaching in the mini fridge and tossed everyone water bottle. Tae caught his bottle just as the video call connected. "BIGCRU!"

"NOTDALILONE, ya heard!" Cru laughed as he looked in the phone. "What you doin, BIGTAE?"

"Hoopin' with yo uncle and cousin. Say "Whaddup"."

Cru seen the camera flip and landed on his uncles and cousin that overlaps with greetings to him. "Yuurr! Whaddup with it y'all."

The camera flipped back to Tae. "What y'all doing over there?"

"Chillin. Momma took me and Kenny to our favorite pizza spot in Encino. You should've seen all those paparazzi and fans, Tae! I swear it was a swarm of them. We had to run and some more to car. They was chasing after the car and everything."

"I know that was a lot."

"Heck yeah. It was funny, though." Cru chuckled a little.