SLAMMED BY FATE

Chapter 4 - Fly High

Jay POV

Harrison and Shane were gracious enough to help me prepare everything for my brother's memorial. People were shocked, and during the event, I expected to see someone who could shed some light on Allison's past, but no one showed up other than what Shane shared.

That was a big question mark in my head. Where does she come from? Is she really married to my brother? Why does she not have any relatives, friends, acquaintances, college besties, or anything?

I took a deep breath and saw how loved my brother was. The beautiful chocolate marble urn holding his ashes stood proud, and there was one massive picture of him smiling. My stomach churned; he was full of life, a good man, and now he was reduced to ashes.

I greeted so many unknown people. Despite wanting to keep the funeral private, he was a business mogul who attracted the press for all the right reasons. I was a basketball superstar, and despite my agent and PR manager requesting privacy, the media frenzy outside the place was becoming unbearable.

“Jay…” My agent called out to me. I lifted my gaze and sighed. “I think you need to make a statement… that will ease things with the media.” He said, and I chuckled. They wanted a piece of me even when I was at my lowest. f**k it! It was because they yearned to see me at my lowest, witness the devastation, and document that I, Jay Katz, a basketball superstar, also felt pain like any other.

“Write something, and I will read it…” I sighed, and Harrison shook his head.

“Man, do you want me to speak to the press on your behalf?” He offered, and I took a deep breath.

“No… I will do it…” I said, determined. I won't speak about much; I will only pay tribute to my brother.

Shane walked toward me, holding the hand of a petite redhead. “I am so sorry for your loss…” The woman said, patting my hand.

“Jay, this is my wife, Amy.” He introduced me to the redhead.

“Thanks for being here, Amy…” I sighed,

“I already told Shane, but if you need help watching over Allie… I can take some shifts while the kids are at school,” She offered and nodded.

“Thanks, that would be good. I rain in the mornings mostly and travel a lot…” I sighed, and she nodded.

“Allie is going to be devastated…” She said, and Shane held her close to him.

I lifted my gaze, “So, were you two close?” I asked, and she nodded,

“Yeah, how do you think I met this one?” She beamed when she looked at Shane. And I knew then and there who would help me dig for some information about the unknown woman my brother married.

I heard the commotion outside and lifted my gaze. “I'll be right back…” I stood up and walked towards the entrance of the funeral home. The place had tight security, and they ensured the media stood outside, giving us the respite and privacy needed to mourn.

“Miss Lana… how is our star doing?” A reporter yelled,

“He is doing well considering… sad.” She answered, and I clenched my teeth. What the f**k is she doing? She left me alone at my worst moment, and now she comes here, parading her high-end black clothes and answering questions as if she was well aware of the hell I have been through in the last 36 hours.

“Were you on tour? Why were you not here early?” Another reporter asked her,

“Well, even to say goodbye, one has to be in style…” She said, and people looked at each other, confused,

“Anyway, I am here to support Jay, even when he is not close to his brother. Now, if you excuse me,” she said, turning around and leaving the yelling mob behind her.

The doors opened, and she was met with my fuming gaze. “What the f**k are you doing here?” I barked. My friends from the LA Rivers stood up. Johnny, Steve, Junior, and Monty were next to Harry.

“Man, the press can see you…” Monty held my shoulder. I huffed and then turned around,

“Guys, take this trash out of my brother's funeral.” I turned around, leaving Lana standing there surrounded by my teammates.

I walked inside and sat on the chair I had used the entire time —a chair right before his ashes. “Is everything alright?” Amy sat next to me. Somehow, her presence was comforting.

“Yeah, a lunatic hookup giving a press statement…” I sighed and closed my eyes. “When will this nightmare end?” I teared up, and she held my hand.

“I don't know you… but I knew him.” She paused, and that made me open my eyes. I saw Shane standing close by, talking to a group of people. “I know you were very different in character and temperament, but you were carved from the same wood, Jay… and I can tell you have so many things in common, such as your heart…” she said, and I nodded.

Somehow, her words were not the usual pity party everyone said, but they were a way to reassure me that I could proudly carry my family's legacy, that I was worthy of being the only one left behind, and that I was meant to do something special out of my time in this world.

It took me to lose my parents and my brother to realize that one. Life always has a way to straighten us up. My wake-up call was brutal.

“Amy… as you know, I didn't even know anything about him having a wife…” I said, and she nodded.

“Allie's story is a long journey. I can share it with you, but today, right now, is not the moment nor the time for it…” She said, and I nodded,

“That would be great. I want to do things right for my brother, and I am completely lost concerning that side of his life.” I sighed.

“Take your time… and, of course, you can count on me and Shane.” She said with a soft smile, patting my hand. She was a young woman, just like my brother's widow, and somehow, the fact that she was a mother made her feel exactly like that tender, caring, soothing, comforting, like the embrace of a loving mother.

“Jay…” My PR manager walked toward me and handed me a piece of paper. I looked up at him.

“Thanks. Do you have a pen?” I asked him, and he immediately handed me his Mont Blanc pen. I corrected some things from the statement I wanted to release and stood up.

I walked towards the bathroom, washed my face, fixed my hair, and squared my shoulders. It was showtime. The funeral home had a small auditorium, one my agent prepared for this moment. I stepped into it, and the blinding lights of the flashes hit me like a sucker punch.

“Good evening,

Two days ago, I was awakened by a call many wouldn't dream of receiving. My identical twin brother, CEO of Katz Enterprises, was involved in a car accident.

The conditions of the road and the drunk trailer driver were the causes of such an unfortunate event.

My brother lived a successful life. Professionally, he ran an empire, and in his personal life, he built a castle full of love… I always admired him and will always be amazed by his strength, courage, and silliness. He was a man, one of a kind. He will be deeply missed.

Fly high, and conquer them all above… Jack.” I sighed, trying to control my emotions.

“Now, if you'll be kind enough to let us mourn and celebrate his life,

Thanks.”

When I finished, the reporters started yelling questions, but the way I entered left everything behind.

Harrison walked towards me and patted my back. “You did well,” he sighed. And Lana is pouting in a corner. Junior can't convince her to leave the place.”

“Let her be there… I don't f*****g care.” I chuckled, “Did I tell you that when I got the call and told her my brother was dead, she went back to sleep, saying it was not urgent, that he could wait?” I said, and Harrison's eyes snapped open.

“Man, you just know how to pick them…” He joked, making me snort.

“Yeah, I guess I picked out what I thought I deserved… but my brother's death taught me something…” I sighed,

“What did all this s**t show teach you?” Harrison asked,

“I just discovered that I am worth so much more. That I deserve a life like his, fulfilled and complete… not garbage, and definitely not to settle for less,” I said, and he nodded.

“Well, man… I have always thought about that one… unfortunately, it had to happen for you to realize it now.” He said, and I nodded.

I made my way back to my self-appointed chair and began greeting people. Shane made sure to introduce me to all the board members, the heads of departments, and so on. My brother was loved, admired, and respected by many.

“Oh! BJ, come over here…” Shane said, and a particular guy walked towards me.

“I am sorry for your loss, superstar…” He said to me in the most effeminate voice.

“BJ, behave…” Shane rolled his eyes,

“Well, he is a superstar, and I am not one to give false credit…” He said in a sassy voice,

“Thanks, BJ… I guess?” I scratched the back of my head. I had greeted many people who worked with Jack, but I couldn't understand how Jack could work with someone like BJ.

“Nice to meet you, superstar… I am BJ… Allie's assistant and backbone to the little branch of Katz Enterprise we love to call the Nut House…” he said, and Shane rolled his eyes.

So this weird guy didn't work for Jack but for his wife, Alison. “Well, it is nice to meet you, BJ. And what exactly does that little enterprise entitle?” I lifted my eyebrows, and he chuckled.

“Well, Allie's business was a PR agency, and when it got incorporated into Katz Enterprise, we turned it into a Social Media, Content Creator agency… I bet you have heard of us, Chipmunk Creations…” he said in a striking voice, and I lifted my gaze.

Of course, I have heard of them. They are the most important content creators, and my agent has been dying for them to handle and clean my image.

“Well, BJ… thanks for your special condolences…” I said, and he sat beside me and crossed his legs over his knee.

“No, darling… I haven't even started with those yet. Jack was an awesome guy, and I hope what I have heard about you in the media is half a lie because then we will crash and go down faster than the Titanic…” He said, and I checked.

“BJ!... Eough…” Shane reprimanded him,

“Anyway, Jacky will be missed. Especially by my poor Allie…” He sighed, “By the way, how is she?” He asked,

“Unconscious…” I yelled, and he gasped.

“Good Lord! I should have been there sooner…” He started fanning his face with his hands.

“You know what? BJ? I need you to be the backbone of the Nut House still and make Allie proud until she can come back… Can you do that?” I lifted an eyebrow, and he nodded. In his eyes, I saw the weight of the responsibility and the determination to make Allie and Jack proud.

“You can count on it.” He stood up and patted Shane's shoulder.

As soon as he left, I sighed. “He is a character…” I mumbled, and Shane nodded,

“Yes, but don't be fooled by his flamboyant attitude. He is smart, quick to maneuver, efficient, and sharp. His double-bladed tongue can s***h the best, and he is a fierce protector of Alison…” Shane said, and I nodded.

I made a mental note then and there… Amy and BJ, I have to be on their good side. I got it!