𝐈𝐋𝐋𝐔𝐒𝐈𝐎𝐍𝐒 ▷ short stories + imagines.

Best Friends. (4)

OFFICIAL TEAM DINNER | ISLA MUJERES, MEXICO.
JULY 8TH, 2000.

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Every player sat around the table, having their wife or girlfriends alongside them. The dinner was set near the beach, and there was a mini concert happening near by, where there was way more people.

Phil Jackson, the coach of the Los Angeles Lakers got up, saying a few words to all of the guys on the team. He expressed how truly proud he was of them for sticking together and winning the NBA Finals.

After he did that, it seemed like everyone had some thing to say, so that's what took place. Marie even got up, despite Kobe trying to get her not to, expressing how she felt.

"...and I am grateful and appreciative of everyone being here. Really, I just wanna show love to my fiancé, Mr. Kobe. He's the best man any woman could ask for...he's generous, goofy, intelligent, and so loyal...." she says, looking down at him. He smiled, looking around at everyone, who seemed to be intrigued by what was said.

The only who wasn't was Brandy, as she stared blankly. She knew the truth. And as much as he didn't want her on his brain again, he couldn't help it. He kept looking her way, not trying to make it clear and obvious. He wasn't even listening to Marie at this point,  as his focus went toward his thoughts of what Brandy could have been thinking.

"...Not only that, but he's such a hard worker, on the court and off the court. Being his first love is truly a blessing and being here with you guys is too....and again, I thank all of you, especially you papi." she says to him. He blushes a bit, and she comes down to give him a tongue kiss.

" Looks like somebody gettin something tonight!" Luke, another one of his teammates yells out, making everyone laugh.

" No...the rest of this evening is all about having some fun, especially with being on a beautiful island like this!" Marie responds.

" Let's make a toast to that!" Shaq says, lifting up his wine glass. Just about everyone lifts their glass too as Shaq made a nice yet funny toast.

As time went on, everyone's focus had seemingly gone to the performance that was happening across the way. Kobe initially didn't want to go over, wanting to let all of his food digest. But it seemed like everyone, including Marie was there, so he tagged along.

When he got there, it was group of men playing a song using drums, a guitar, and some maracas. It sounded amazing, as there was some people dancing and others vibing along. Kobe looked around for Marie, and saw her having the time of her life, interacting with the guys who were playing the instruments.

It was her and some of the other wives, so he didn't sweat it at all. He looked over however, seeing Brandy and Quentin all hugged up or whatnot.  ' Really man? ' he thought to himself. He had no reason to be jealous, especially with the ways went out because of him, but it was weird seeing her all hugged on someone like she was.

The moment Quentin moved from the scene, Kobe took it upon himself to go and really speak to Brandy. He didn't care about the approach he took toward her, as all he wanted to do was be in her presence. The feeling was eating him, and he wasn't about to continue to let it go on.

" Bran Bran, you having a nice time out here?" he says, walking up to her with his hands in his pockets. " I mean it's a nice night, isn't it?"