The Player

By Marita Kinney

Justin Allen and Kesha Jones were the perfect high school couple until he gets drafted to the NBA and becomes unfaithful. With the pressure from his new found popularity, he forgets what matters most to him. Kesha his now college girlfriend. To keep him, she begins to compromise what she believes and the promises that were made to God. Will Kesha get fed up and decline a life of fame and fortune with Justin or choose a basic life without him?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Marita Kinney
• Release date: May 7, 2018
• ISBN: 9781943409372

Book preview

Introduction.

It's funny how fast circumstances can change your life. At some point in time you’d think that you have everything figured out, at least that's how it was for me. I was a star athlete at my school, everybody knew I was going to be drafted. I tried to remain humble but a part of me knew that I would get drafted to the NBA because I worked so hard. My father ran drills with me since I was four years old. Basketball was my life.

Not only was basketball my life, Kesha became my love. I loved her because she never made me chose between her or basketball. Hey, she let me live my dream, supported me, and one day I want to marry her. She doesn't know that but I will marry Kesha. People have warned me about all the females that will come around. I never knew temptation could be as exciting as it is. I mean hey, I'm a handsome guy but I had no idea what fame and popularity could do if and when I got drafted to an NBA team. The Temple hawks were looking at me hard. They always have been my favorite team and it would be an honor to be drafted in the first pick for them.

Chapter one

Praise the Lord church, now listen, this is the moment we've all been waiting for. We're so proud of our very own Justin Allen. Let's give Justin a hand clap. We are so proud of you Justin. We just want to say on behalf of Mount Zion that we are proud of you, that we are supporting you, and that we are standing with you. Sister Allen and Brother Allen, we also want to thank you for all the years you have shared your son with us. It has been such a pleasure. We have watched him grow into this amazing young man. Today he celebrates his drafting to the NBA.  A lot of you guys have already heard the good news ... We have a lot of Temple Hawks fans in here so a lot of you guys are cheering for him and we just love you and we are praying for you. We want you to know that you always have a home here at Mount Zion. Let's give Justin Allen a hand clap. The applause was mighty, leaving Justin smiling from ear to ear.

Now at this time we would like to ask Brother Justin if he has a few words for us. Justin shakes his head in embarrassment. He hates getting up in front of a crowd of people to speak, to do announcements, to do anything. But of course Lady Snow, the pastor’s wife called him out. Without any further hesitation Justin got up out of his seat and walked slowly to the podium. Lady Snow gives him a hug with pride wrapped all in it.

So, I really don't know what to say. I wasn't expecting to give a speech but I would like to thank everyone here for your years of support. Sorry I missed so many Bible studies because I had practice and games. Hahahahaha, the congregation laughs. No but seriously, if it wasn't for my church family supporting me, I don't know where I would be. To my parents I just want to say thank you for being hard on me. Thank you for teaching me discipline. Dad, you know you've always been there for me. I can't really express how much I love you and mom, how much I love you. God has really looked out for our family. I don't know exactly where this road is going to take me but I'm grateful and I will appreciate the entire process. Before I sit down I don't want to forget the love of my life, Kesha.

Wooo! The church begins to applaud. Kesha, I appreciate you being there for me. I've never known anyone like you. If it's God's will we'll continue this journey together. I want you to know that I love and support you and that I'm here for you always, just like you've always been here for me. Well, that's really all I have to say right now. I know my parents and everybody was cooking in the back. I smell the chicken now, haha. So if you guys want to join us after church, we invite you to eat with us. Me and my family, we would love to have you. I'll see you guys after service and I look forward to you guys celebrating with me.

Justin wiped his forehead as he took his seat. He couldn't believe he had to speak but hey, the church is small but growing rapidly and all of the new faces made him