Page 69 of Color Me Broken
That hit different. Tasha didn’t know what to say, so she just smiled and looked back at the field.
By the 9th, Braves were up. Kenji’s stats flashed on the screen:
6-for-6 | 4 HR | 2 Doubles | 7 RBIs | 3 Stolen Base
Kenji was clearly the MVP of the game. When the last out was called, the Braves' stadium went wild. Fireworks cracked over the Jumbotron, and “Welcome to Atlanta” blasted over the loudspeakers. Tasha stood beside his mom, clapping and laughing, soaking in every bit of this moment.
Minutes later, Kenji was down in the players’ tunnel, jersey drenched in sweat, with a towel wrapped around his neck. He was still hyped, his adrenaline shooting through him, but when he saw Tasha, something in him slowed.
He didn’t hesitate. Walked straight up and kissed her like it was second nature. Mrs. Riggs smiled, eyeing them over the rim of her glasses. “Friends, my ass.”
Kenji and Tasha laughed as he turned and hugged his mom tight.
“You played well today, baby,” Mrs. Riggs whispered.
Kenji nodded. “Appreciate y’all flying out last minute to watch me.”
Tasha looked up at him, teasing. “You always show out like that when you invite people to watch you, Mr. Ballplayer?”
Kenji smirked, eyeing her. “Only when someone special watches. You were my good luck charm today,” he said, voice hoarse but warm. “Hit a double, stole a base, got MVP. That’s all you, Ms. Lady.”
Tasha laughed. “If you say so….”
“It’s true. You are.”
She stared at him for a beat, then smirked. “Boy, get outta here.”
As the SUV prepared to pull away from the stadium, Kenji placed his Braves’ duffel bag in the truck because he wasn’t flying out with them at the moment. The coach had called a mandatory meeting that he couldn’t miss, so he would take a later jet to meet back up with Tasha.
He kissed his mother first, then turned to Tasha, brushing her cheek with the back of his fingers before he leaned in closer.
“Alright, I guess that’s it.” He kissed her nose. “Text me when the plane lands,” he said, looking between the two of them.
Tasha nodded, that giddy feeling coming back over her. “I will. You be safe, okay?”
His lips hovered over hers now, then he kissed her, slow and sure. No rush, no cameras. Just them. Like goodbye… but notforever.
“I’ll see you soon,” he told her, hitting the top of the SUV. “Drive safe with them, my man.”
The SUV rolled off, and Tasha turned in her seat to watch him shrink in the rearview, tall and steady even from a distance.Cruising through Atlanta traffic with the windows slightly cracked and the sun casting lazy streaks across Tasha’s lap, she faced forward, exhaled slow, and leaned back.
Mrs. Riggs was quiet at first, scrolling her phone.
Then, out of nowhere, she spoke. “He hasn’t been doing anything but smiling since meeting you.”
Tasha blinked. “Huh?”
“My son,” Mrs. Riggs said, not looking up. “He’s falling for you, girl. I know that look. Trust me.”
Tasha didn’t say anything for a second. Her hands were in her lap, fingers tracing patterns around the game ball that Kenji gave her.
“We not together,” she said softly.
Mrs. Riggs gave her alook.
Tasha sighed. “Okay, I mean, maybe not officially... but I don’t even know what this is yet. He got his world, I got mine. And mine is messy as hell right now.”
“You think his ain’t?” she asked, raising an eyebrow. “Just ‘cause he got money and stats on ESPN doesn’t mean he isn’t dealing with stuff too.”
