Riptide /GxG/(Completed)

THIRTY-THREE

B R I T T A N Y

I sat in the bleachers patiently awaiting the arrival of everyone else while Aria and Jazmine continued to play on the basketball court below.

Since we were now in the month of December the snow outside stopped us from enjoying our usual activities in the park on the outside of the building, where Nia and I would allow the kids to play while we had our own time.

A smile drifted onto my lips as Jazmine placed the crown that had recently fallen from the peak of Aria's afro on her head before taking another shot.

"Jazzy," Aria called out happily while the ball travelled gracefully through the hoop before meeting the ground, and she quickly chased after it with a wave of glee as my heart continued to warm at the sight of them together.

"Be careful princess," Jazmine called after her as she adjusted Aria's crown on her head, and I was left to fall deeper into the waters of awe.

Her relationship with Aria was one I always appreciated and the fact that she actually wanted to spend time with Aria because she enjoyed her company and not because she was with me had me falling for her a little more each time.

-

J A Z M I N E

She secured the ball firmly in her grasp while simultaneously holding it over her head as I lifted her in the air allowing her to release the ball into the hoop, and as the ball greeted the ground her smile grew wider if even possible.

"Again Jazzy," She ordered and I laughed, repeating the process since I knew that my actions fueled her happiness. "I'll get it,"

Her announcement was fueled by the ball that travelled a bit further away this time, and I smiled, releasing her onto the floor so she could retrieve the ball as promised.

My gaze travelled over to Britt out of pure curiosity, and I was met with sight of our anticipated guests before returning my gaze to an incoming Aria, who now held the ball in her hand.

"Do you want to go say hi to your cousins?" I asked, referring to Nia's kids and she gazed behind me probably just realising that they had arrived as well.

"Yes," She replied gleefully, putting down the ball before lifting her hands in the air and I smiled, taking her into my hold. "Jazzy,"

Her call for me came while she rested her head against my shoulder as I began making my way towards the bleachers.

"Yeah,"

"Are we still getting ice cream?"

"Just remind mommy later," I told her as we took the final steps standing in front of the bleachers, and I quickly greeted the group earning replies from everyone as I placed Aria to stand.

"Your phone was ringing," Britt announced as I moved to sit beside her while ignoring the tenseness in my muscles.

"Who was it?" I asked as she handed me the phone.

"I didn't look," She told me as I unlocked the device immediately going to my call log.

"It was Eric," I mumbled as I redialed his number.

"The guy from the gallery?"

"Yeah, he's the manager" I confirmed, only to be greeted by his voice a second later.

"Ms Johnson?"

"Yeah Eric it's me, what's up?" I asked, watching the kids who were busy playing with the basket at one end of the court.

"Will you be adding paintings to the exhibition in January?"

"Yeah, Uhm, I will stop by Tuesday around twelve so we can discuss everything,"

"Okay," He replied and I ended the call handing her my phone once more since she seemed to always walk with a bag while I on the other hand only travelled with the pockets my clothes offered.

"Jaz you ready?" Jason asked and I nodded, getting up as I removed the tiara from my head knowing that I had promised to play a game of basketball with them. "What are the teams?"

"Dantae and Jason against me and you," Darelle voiced and I released a small nod as I began to move onto the court with them.

"Even though it ain't a fair match up since y'all both played ball in high school and collage," Dantae pointed out, making Darrelle chuckle.

"I'm a woman," I stated as Darrelle handed the ball to Jason.

"With a fast fucking release, we saw you playing with Aria," Jason replied laughing slightly.

"Y'all got first," Darrelle announced as the sound of joyful children sounded in the background of our conversation.

"We still on for next week too?" Dantae questioned.

"Next week ain't gonna work," Darrelle stated as we settled on our half of the court away from the kids.

"You got work?" Dantae asked his brother in a curious tone.

"No, Christmas is Tuesday and Nia, her mom and her grandma are making Christmas dinner so I'm going to need about two weeks to recover," He explained, making us laugh.

"So when are we going to the range?" Jason asked as we began moving to our designated positions on the court.

"Boxing day, Jaz you still coming?" Dantae questioned.

"Yeah, I'm going to be there,"

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