by Eva Luxe
“What’s that?” She asks, looking very concerned. I smile back at her to let her know it’s not all that serious.
“Never have sex the day before a game.”
She laughs quietly. “Seriously? Is that really a thing?”
“I dunno,” I tell her. “Superstitions or whatever. I know I’d never have sex right before a game. Then I’d be fucked.”
“Literally,” she jokes. I laugh quietly and kiss her, then rest my head again and close my eyes.
As I lay there beside her, my mind wanders and I start to picture things…what I want to do with Grace, but more.
What would life be like if Grace was actually…my girlfriend? I can’t believe I’m thinking this, and if Joey was here to listen to my thoughts, he’d be completely freaking out. Tommy Mason with a steady girlfriend? What is the world coming to?
But seriously, what would be wrong with that? Having a girl to cheer me on at games? Spend time with after practice and class? Hang out with and actually do things other than fuck? That doesn’t sound half bad. Not when that girl is Grace.
But do I really want to get involved with somebody when I’m just going to be leaving school in two years to go to the professional leagues? What then? We just break up and go our separate ways? Even the thought of being away from Grace is too much to think about right now.
I can picture a future with this girl!
Grace is no dumb bimbo. She didn’t know who I was when we met, and if anything, that made her cautious of me, not the other way around. She’s no star fucker, gold digger or sorority bimbo. She’s a good girl with a good heart. The kind you could settle down with.
The fact that I’m thinking this way blows my mind, but as I take a deep breath and smell her again and feel her skin against my fingertips, it actually makes sense. Grace could be more than a conquest for me. More than another girl on my roster. She could be someone I could actually give myself too as well and share things with.
Also, I have a feeling she wouldn’t put up with any of my bullshit, which turns me on to her even more. Girls who tell you exactly what you want to hear when you’re out drinking at a party will only last so long before they bore you. Grace isn’t like that at all, and I have a feeling she’d surprise me for a long time.
God, why do I have a game tomorrow? Why is her roommate here?
I just want to fall asleep with her, wake up in the middle of the night and slip my cock inside her, grab her ass and plunge my tongue into her mouth and fuck her brains out. Even though I just came, I can feel my cock twitch with excitement at the thought.
“If you want,” I say hesitantly. “You could come to my game. Cheer me on.”
Grace looks up at me, almost like she can’t believe I just suggested that, but instantly lets me know with her eyes that she loves the idea.
“Really?” She asks. “You want me to?”
“Yeah,” I tell her. “Definitely.”
“What time?”
“Four,” I tell her. “Home game.”
“I will be there,” she tells me.
I smile at her, swelling with excitement like I just already won the game. Nothing in life has ever brought me the same pleasure and satisfaction as kicking ass on the basketball court, but hearing Grace tell me she’ll be there to cheer me on is already coming close. I can’t imagine what it will be like if she actually shows up.
But of course she will. If she was a bitch, she would tell me she’d come and then ghost me like I did to her with sociology class. But she’s not that kind of girl.
The fun we could have in the locker room too…
My mind keeps wandering to all the possibilities opening up before me if I was to make Grace mine – my girlfriend. And it’s just fucking glorious.
I wake with a start, realizing I’ve drifted off beside Grace who is sleeping soundly beside me. Slowly, I check my phone and realize just how late it is. I have to be up in a few hours. Being careful not to disturb Grace, I slither out of bed and back into my clothes, covering her with her sheets.
I crack the door and slip out into the hall and head back to my room. I’m smiling, inside and out. Somehow the world feels different now. Things have just begun between us, but I already feel like Grace is mine, and somehow that’s coloring the whole way I look at things. I’m more excited to see her in the stands tomorrow than I am to kick ass on the court. That may be a problem, to be honest, but if I can get my head right in the locker room I should be fine.
Nothing stops Tommy Mason.
Chapter 18 – Grace
I’ve never been to Gampel before where UCONN plays its home games. The place is so packed. I’ve never felt such energy. There must be thousands of people here, all screaming and cheering, waving foam fingers and sticks in the air. The band is rocking out on another one of their songs designed to pump up the crowd. And it’s working.
I’m sitting by myself. Shannon didn’t come because I intentionally didn’t tell her. How would I explain my sudden change of heart?
“Oh, hey. Tommy and I hooked up in my bed last night while you were sleeping. Yeah, he fingered me and I sucked his dick. No big deal!”
That would go over really well.
Luckily my afternoon was open. To be honest though, I probably would have skipped class just to be here and that is so unlike me. But Tommy has my head spinning and my insides twisted up, and it’s been that way since I met him. The whole experience has been like a whirlwind and I still don’t feel like I have my feet underneath me.
Last night’s events are still fresh in my mind. I didn’t even shower this morning. I wanted to still smell like Tommy. My bed sheets still have his scent on them and I can still remember how he tastes.
I should be brimming over with anxiety in a crowd like this. I can smell beer some freshmen behind me snuck in with them, and the body odor of the people around me. Thankfully it’s not overly hot in here or I’d be very uncomfortable. I’m not the best with crowds of people when I’m alone, but somehow I feel better knowing Tommy is close by.
It’s a weird thing to say, but when I look toward the locker rooms where the team will come out in a few minutes, I instantly feel like I’m a part of all this. Tommy Mason and I have a connection, and it’s one that he hasn’t shared with other girls. I know it. I know it with all my heart and soul and no one will convince me otherwise.
How many girls has Tommy laid with and invited to his game to watch him? I don’t think I’m being naïve when I say probably none. He just doesn’t strike me as that kind of guy.
Just as my mind starts floating off into lovey-dovey Tommy and Grace land, the stadium around me goes nuts and the team jogs out from the locker rooms and takes the court. I’ve never been into sports, but even I have to admit it’s exciting. I see Joey, Tommy’s roommate, come out and make a layup and pass to another player. And then I see Tommy.
He moves like he’s the king of the court, just overflowing with confidence like I’ve never seen. He’s a different man right now – not the romantic man I laid with last night. No, this is a man on a mission, and that mission is to win.
Joey bounces a pass to him and Tommy shoots a three. Swish. Watching him is even hotter than I thought it would be. He’s in his element and I can’t wait to see what happens when the game begins.
The two teams warm up for a while and then the game begins. Honestly, I really have no idea what goes on in a basketball game besides one team trying to get the ball in the other team’s basket, but what I do know is that Tommy is every bit the man they say he is, and more.
It’s clear that he’s miles ahead of the rest of the guys on the court and he’s destined for the pros. By the end of the first quarter he’s already scored seventeen points and it’s very clear the other team is doing everything they can to slow him down. Whenever he’s got the ball, instantly there are two guys covering him.
But it doesn’t matter. The other team has a guy that must be almost seven feet tall, and he keeps trying t
o block Tommy’s shots, but Tommy’s too fast. He fakes him out and hits a three-pointer, then steals it from him on defense, and passes it to Joey, who makes an easy layup.
The crowd’s going wild and I start to understand why these games are as popular as they are. But my thoughts aren’t on the people around me, the thousands of cell phones and screaming fans. They’re on Tommy, last night, and all the nights to come.
I’m lost in the game for the entire first half. I’ve seen Tommy eye the stands from time to time, but his mind is on the game, and I totally understand. I want him to see me though. I want him to know that I did come to support him. I am pretty sure he believed me when I told him I would, but still, I want him to see me.
UCONN is up by twelve at the half when the buzzer sounds and the team gives each other high fives and heads back to the locker rooms. And that’s when Tommy stops at the bench, turns and scans the crowd with his eyes. But his back is toward me. He’s looking the wrong way.
“Tommy!” I shout like an idiot. There’s no way he can hear me over the roar of the other fans calling his name.
He takes a step toward the locker room and my heart sinks. He’s not going to see me. But then, he turns back and looks my way. Instantly, I’m on my feet waving my arms like a lunatic. Of course, I probably don’t look any more excited than anyone else around me, but for me, it’s pretty outgoing.
“Tommy!” I shout again, still hopeful that he will somehow hear me and find me in the crowd. But it’s just too loud. His eyes scan across the arena, over the band, a small group of fans for the other team, booing and jeering him. He completely ignores them and then finally, he sees me.
I squeal like a little girl and wave, showing him my UCONN t-shirt I bought in the lobby downstairs. His eyes light up when he sees me and he smiles, giving me that trademark Tommy Mason grin. My heart swells as he raises his arm and points to me.
Instantly, every face in the arena is on me.
“Who is that?”
“Who is he pointing at?”
“Is that his girlfriend or something?”
I hear the voices and whispers all around me as people try to figure out why Tommy is pointing at some random girl in the stands. I feel like all the house lights have come down and there’s a spotlight on only me. Goosebumps break out all over my body and I look around me to a thousand inquisitive faces. People are filming me with their phones and I just know I’m going to be all over the internet within minutes.
What is he doing to me!?
I turn to him and must look like a total deer in the headlights. But Tommy just laughs, smiles at me, waves, and turns around and heads back to the locker room.
“Seriously, is that his girlfriend?” A girl squeaks behind me. I turn and give her a sidelong glance and see that she’s a sorority type, going for the cheerleader look, with a cutoff t-shirt made into a crop top and a mini skirt. She’s shooting daggers at me with her eyes, and as I turn back around, I can only smile.
Chapter 19 – Tommy
She actually came.
I don’t fucking believe it. Well, that’s not true. I do believe it, but it’s still pretty unbelievable. A girl like Grace, and a guy like me, and her actually showing up to Gampel for a game? Pretty fucking out of character for both of us. And that’s what’s making this so awesome.
We’re crushing New Hampshire, but that’s to be expected. Joey’s game is on point today and mine’s where it always is. Hooking up with Grace and not getting much sleep hasn’t even put a slip in my step – not even remotely. In fact, what happened between us last night has me fired the fuck up.
It’s not just the sex, it’s the fact that I knew she was going to be here today watching, and I wanted to really show her who the man is. Everyone else already knows. I mean, I’m a campus legend and it’s expected of me. If anything, when I don’t perform, people are surprised. But Grace? She’s never seen me perform…not on the court.
Every shot I drained today was for her. Adding the points to the scoreboard was just icing on the cake. And the look on her face when I pointed her out in the crowd? Priceless.
I’m sure she’s squirming right now, but I know she liked it. I did too. Everyone’s going to be talking now, wondering what’s going on between us and how serious it is. But most importantly of all, no guys are going to have the balls to hit on her now.
“Yo, who the fuck was that?” Brant, our monster center asks me coming up beside me. “That chick you pointed to? That your wife or some shit?”
I let out a laugh. “Yeah, man. You missed out. We flew to Vegas and got hitched. Bachelor party was fucking crazy!”
“You better watch yourself, man!” Brant jokes, taking a swig of his water.
“No, really,” Joey asks, taking a seat on the bench beside me. “What the Hell? Was that the chick from our floor?”
“It sure was.”
“You just messing with her or something?” Joey asks.
I shrug, take a casual sip of my water. I love fucking with Joey. He’s a good dude, but he’s definitely set in his ways and loves having me as a single wingman. If he finds out I’m thinking of hanging up my player’s cap, he might just have a heart attack.
“Come on, bro,” he says, his voice filled with concern. “I mean – what the fuck!?”
“I’m just fucking with her, man,” I lie. Now is no time to get him freaking out. It’s game time and he needs to be focused. “Don’t worry about it.”
“All right, boys,” I hear coach shout. “Let’s get back out there and finish this!”
I take another swig of my water and filter back out onto the court with the rest of the team. The crowd goes wild. I’ll never get tired of that, but as I make my way to the bench, my eyes are on one person. Grace.
Now that I’ve found her, she stands out and is the first place my eyes go. I can see the people sitting around her reacting as I look at her, trying to gauge her reaction and figure out exactly what’s going on between us. I’m sure people are already talking about it online.
Sometimes I am able to step back from myself and really look at just how odd my life is compared to everyone else. Just pointing to a girl causes this ripple effect of gossip and chit chat, everyone wanting to know what’s going on in my personal life. And I’m not even in the pros yet!
I turn back to the bench as coach gives us his pep talk.
“All right, boys. We’ve got ‘em. No problem. Just keep up what we’ve been doing and it’s an easy win. Hey, Joey!” Coach smacks Joey on the side of the head. I realize he’s been looking over at Grace with a “who the fuck is she?” look on his face. “Get your head in the game, boy. There’s plenty of time to chase the girls after we win.”
I laugh to myself as the buzzer goes off and we step onto the court. My eyes feel like they’re being pulled by gravity toward Grace and I have to force myself to focus on the game. Brant wins the tipoff and passes to Joey. I circle around to his left and catch the pass, drain a three and the crowd goes nuts.
“Count it,” I say to him as he high fives me. I turn to Grace and smile.
This is how life is supposed to be, and I didn’t realize it until now. What did Kanye say? “One good girl is worth a thousand bitches.” Truer words have never been spoken. I’d trade in every girl before Grace to make sure Grace would be mine. And now my brain is working overtime.
I’ll kick ass for the remaining two years of school and get drafted. I’ll go pro and start making the big bucks. Grace will still be in school, but I’ll wait for her and visit as much as possible. She can come see me on breaks and after she graduates – well, then we’ll just be together.
She’ll be my girl and I’ll have every resource in the world to take care of her. With Grace by my side, there won’t be any distractions, and I can just focus on being the best I can be. No drama. No bullshit. No crazy chicks trying to get my money or get me to get them pregnant. Just Tommy and Grace. And I can’t wait.
I get back on defense as Ne
w Hampshire starts taking the ball up the court. Tommy’s guarding the guy hard but he pulls a crossover and heads my way. But as he goes by Joey, he takes one step too far and stumbles slightly, giving me the opportunity.
I launch forward and swat the ball out from underneath him and grab it and start heading down the court. The crowd cheers and I feel the stadium rumble as they get to their feet. A three and a steal in the first thirty seconds of the second half? Tommy Mason’s back at it again!
New Hampshire’s sprinting to catch me and the rest of my team’s coming to support. Joey’s on the right side and he’s open for a shot, but I’m taking it to the basket. Coast to coast, baby!
The guy I stole the ball from is hot on my heels, but I’m too far ahead. This one’s mine. I’m closing in on the hoop. I hear the cheers and I can feel Grace’s eyes on me as I reach the paint. I’m ready to launch, lay it up and do a victory lap on my way back down the court, and that’s when it happens.
Pain shoots through my ankle and I start to fall. The ball drops from my hands and goes out of bounds. I’m falling, and before I hit the floor, I already know what happened.
The New Hampshire player behind me, the one I stole the ball from, tripped me on purpose – kicked me in the ankle, hard. And as I hit the floor, and the pain courses up my ankle, I start to freak out.
“Ah!” I cry out, rolling onto my back and grabbing my ankle with both hands. “Fuck!”
“Hey, man, what the fuck!?” I hear Joey behind me shoving the New Hampshire player. The crowd roars. A fight’s about to break out, but I don’t care about that now. All I can focus on is the pain.
How hard did he kick me?
It feels like my ankle is broken. I can already feel it throbbing as it starts to swell and the pain sweat breaking out across my forehead and cheeks. It’s almost unbearable and I instantly start to panic.
“Goddamn it!” I shout again, gritting my teeth. My entire body is tense as the pain courses up my calf. It’s hot, like I’ve been stuck with a poker. It’s overwhelming, and I’m only faintly aware of the roar and boos of the crowd and of course my teammates freaking out around me.