Play Your Cardz Right by Sydia Smith (reading like a writer TXT) 📖

was younger. Camille never liked Destiny’s mother. She felt that she was after her brother’s money so when she did hear about the affair she was on a plane away to confront her. Destiny’s mother and Camille have been in several altercations in the past. Camille has a slick voice. She loves to tell jokes and pick on someone. She has no filter but she knows when not the time to be what people call it “an ass”.

Only having to score one more point James became very confident. Giving him room to shoot she knew how to catch up. Pump faking Destiny didn’t buy it. Using his body to get closer she knew what he is doing. James is bigger than Destiny by a hundred pounds so backing her down is his advantage. Swiping the ball from him he felt for her trap. Grabbing the ball she started to dribble. Seeing her opening she took it. Cutting it off, she step back and shot the jumper. Making it, she cut the score down to one. Checking her the ball she knew she was faster than him, so she knew her quickness is going to win her the game. Driving past him she went in for the layup. Seeing that he was going to block it she double clutches. Going into the basket the score was all tied up. Knowing she could win with a three pointer he sticks her closely. Dribbling she looked for her opening. Seeing it she used her crossover and a step back to shoot and score the three. “Ohhhhhhhhh, I believe that is game. Don’t call it a comeback, but call it something.” Camille said running around the court. “Pay the girl.” Camille said Stopping at James. Taking a bank roll out of his pocket he counted and gave her, her winnings. “I’ll give you your respect. You got game.” He said hugging his niece.

Giving him five large she put the rest in her wallet. “That is for making me sweat at the end.” Destiny said grabbing her bag. Dapping Jessica she knew that she was going to stay on the court. Walking with her aunt she knew what she was going to ask her. “The answer to your question is no.” Destiny said smiling. “Come on I am going to need someone to run it in this state.” She said. “Then ask Denise. She want to run a business so does Desire. I have a business to run already.” Destiny said. “Okay, Okay, but if you do change your mind I will leave an extra spot for you.” She said hugging her. “Okay Auntie. Did they decide yet?” Destiny asked knowing her family. “They said they wanted to BBQ.” She said. “Where at.” She asked. “Probably James’ house.” She responded. “Okay tell them I am inviting Tay and Tyler. Destiny said reaching her car. “Oh Tyler the one who you speak so highly of.” She said. Smiling she forgot that she haven’t met Tyler yet. Thinking about it none of her family met him except for her father and her sisters. “That’s him. Going to meet him, it been like four years.” Destiny pointed out. “Yeah four long years.” She said nudging her niece. “I’m sorry it’s not like you have been in town to meet him.” Destiny said. “I know, but I will see you in a little while. Your uncle looks crazy trying to rush me. I am coming.” She said walking towards James.

Driving to her home she called Tyler. “Hey babe.” He said answering the phone. “What you doing.” She asked. “Nothing playing the game with Tay. She keeps complaining about we never play the game together.” He said mocking her. “Do you guys want to go to a cookout.” She asked smiling at him. “Hold on.” He said. Hearing him ask Tay she laughed at their dialect. “We are game. Who’s cookout we’re going to.” He asked. “My family.” She said. Hearing Tay in the background, made her a little worried. “I’m sorry for my brother, he is excited to meet your family.” Tay said grabbing the phone from him. “Yeah that makes me very confident.” Destiny said sarcastically.

Arriving at the house she used her key to open the door. Looking at Tay already ready she laughed. “You beat him getting dressed that has to be the first.” Destiny said. “He freaking out.” Tay whispered. Shaking her head she went upstairs. Opening Tyler’s door she saw him changing his shirt. Looking on the bed she saw that he had changed his shirt a bunch of times. “Babe, what the hell.” She said smiling. “Which one.” He asked pulling two shirts in front of him. “Babe we are going to a cook out not a church. Wear something casual.” She said putting both of the shirts on the bed. “What if they don’t like me?” He asked. “Then we are going to have to break up.” She said joking. Seeing his face become lighter she laughed. “Babe I was joking. You have to calm down. They are going to love you just as much as I love you okay.” She said wrapping her arms around his neck. Leaning closer to his face their lips were touching. Pressing her lips he did the same. Separating she told him to get dress.

Getting out of the quick shower she took she saw Devin in her room. “Now that’s more like it.” She said approving his outfit. Wearing Levi’s straight legs dark blue denim jeans with a blue, black and grey polo v neck, and the blue and black Jordans 4. Going into her closet she picked out her outfit. Wearing blue denim shorts that stop mid-thigh, and a white tank top with her jean jacket with the arms folded up. Putting her bracelets on and earrings in she walked to her sunglasses collection. Roaming through it she pick out her gold Ray Bans. Putting on her white sandals on put some lip gloss on and was ready to go. Admiring her figure Tyler put his arm around her waist. Walking down the stairs together Tay stared at them. “Yeah you guys are the cutest couple of the year now let’s go I am starving.” She said walking out of the door. “She is always hungry.” Tyler said smiling. “Tell me about it.” She agreed.

Giving him directions Destiny was explaining who to talk to and who to avoid a much as possible. “Your family can’t be that bad.” Tyler said. “Half of my family was a part of the clique when there wasn’t any rules. The other half thinks they are certified gangstas and the rest have big mouths.” She said explaining the variety of crazy that is going to be at the BBQ. Looking at the time it read 2:30pm. Good time to have a cookout. Pulling up to James’ house Tyler was admiring the car collection. “Babe he has a ’71 Plymouth Superbird 440.” He said in amazement. “Yeah like I know what that is. See you can discuss that with him.” She said getting out of the car. “It’s just an old car. Why is he freaking out?” Tay said looking at her brother. “Men and their cars.” Destiny said shrugging her shoulders.

Turning around to see Tyler still in amazement looking at the car she shook her head. “Babe get out of the car and come over here.” Destiny said. Obeying he got out of the car still looking at the other cars. “He got a Barracuda.” He said jumping up and down like a school girl would after seeing her friends for the first time in ages. Laughing Destiny walked away. “I can’t.” She said looking at Tay.  “You are such a weirdo.” She said to her brother. Looking at his sister he shook his head. “You’re the weirdo if you can’t appreciate this man collection.” He said catching up with Destiny. Grabbing her hand he took one more look at the collection. Pulling him she was over it.

Reaching the backyard she saw the whole crew from the court and then some more. “Hide everything that is valuable to you Eddie is in the building.” Destiny said to Tyler and Tay. “Are you joking?” Tay asked. “Nope.” She said greeting Eddie. Feeling his hand in her back pocket she slapped his neck. “What are you doing.” She asked. “Nothing seeing how deep your pockets are.” He said scratching his arm. Looking down at his arms she pulled him to the side. “Last time we spoke you said you was off that stuff.” Destiny said. “I am Doctors said I scratch because it’s a reflex.” He said. “I only smoke cigarettes.” He added. “Okay how much do you need?” She asked him. “My daughter is going to turn twenty in like two weeks I want to buy her the new headphones, you know the ones by Dr. Dre.” He said scratching. Grabbing her wallet she pulled out four hundred out and handed to him. “Here Pay your bills first and then by your daughter the beats.” She said. “Thank you. That’s why you are my favorite niece.” He said. “Yeah, yeah go put cream on your arm aunt Jenna should have some.” She said walking back to Tay and Tyler.

“His favorite niece. That’s your uncle?” Tay and Tyler asked together. “Stop doing that brother sister talk and yeah he is my uncle unofficially. He’s basically a family friend but since he knew me all my life he appointed himself as my uncle.” She explained. “Come on you have to meet my aunts and my uncle.” She said pulling them to the grill. Hugging her uncle and aunts she introduced them. “Aunt Jenna, Uncle James, and Aunt Camille this is Taylor, my best friend, and this is Tyler my boyfriend.” She said looking at the reaction Aunt Jenna and Camille gave. Smiling, they both put a thumbs up. “You are a very handsome guy.” Aunt Camille said. “On that note I am going to go over there. Come on Tay.” Destiny said walking to her sisters. “You’re just going to leave him alone.” Tay said worried about her brother. She knows that this is the first time that he met any of his girlfriend’s family. “They aren’t going to bite. Maybe Aunt Camille will.” She said joking. “That isn’t funny. This is his first time meeting the family.” She said.

Looking at Tay she didn’t know that. “Really this is his very first time?” She asked. “Yeah that’s why he freaked out.” she pointed out. “Oh damn why he didn’t tell me that I wouldn’t have brought him here where he get to meet every single one of my crazy family members.” Destiny said turning to look at him. “He doesn’t look terrified, Right?” She asked looking at him. “He is fine now you have to stop freaking out.” Tay said handing her a cup of lemonade. Taking a sip of it she spit back out. “That isn’t lemonade.” She said pouring it out. 

Looking at her uncle he tried to stay calm. “So Tyler what’s you intentions with my niece.” James asked flipping over the burger. “I want to make her happy and be the man she wants and need.” He said answering his questions honestly. “Need, you trying to say she needs you?” He asked trying to make him sweat. “Not at all, I am trying to say that I want to be the kind of guy she wants to be with. When she is going through something I want to be that man who she can call, and count on.” He said feeling the heat. “How tall are you?” James asked. “Well I am six four. “ He answered him. He was taller than James by a couple of inches. James was more muscular than Tyler which made him intimidating. “Do you know how to grill?” He asked. “I do, my father