by Xyla Turner
Backcourt
Pro Series
Xyla Turner
Contents
Backcourt
Copyright
Acknowledgments
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Sneak Peek: Love Under Attack
Love Under Attack: New Regime
Love Under Attack: You want a cookie?
About the Author
Books by Author
CONTACT
Backcourt
By Xyla Turner
AZINA MEDIA PUBLICATIONS
237 Flatbush Avenue, #187 Brooklyn, NY 11217
This is an original publication of AZINA MEDIA PUBLICATIONS.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental. The publisher does not have any control over and does not assume any responsibility for author or third-party websites or their content.
Copyright © 2016 AZINA MEDIA PUBLICATIONS
Cover Page by Dynasty Cover Me
Edited by Gayla Leath
All rights reserved.
No part of this book may be reproduced, scanned, or distributed in any printed or electronic form without permission. Please do not participate in or encourage piracy of copyrighted materials in violation of the author’s rights. Purchase only authorized edits.
All rights reserved.
Created with Vellum
Acknowledgments
To my family, friends, co-workers, supporters, and fellow authors!
To Xyla World, this couldn’t happen without you.
Shatisha Nash, a dear friend, PUSH partner and confidant.
To my sister, thank you for your support.
#WeInHere
To Him whose eyes have seen!
Chapter One
"What are you going to do with your life?" Aunt Iris asked Mindy, after she took a bite of Beatrice's famous 7-Up cake. "You know the clock is ticking.”
"Oh, leave her alone." Beatrice waved a fork in her sister's direction. "She's young and figuring it out. When'd you figure it out? It wasn't until you met Charles, so quit it.”
Mindy was relieved her mother was sticking up for her. Aunt Iris could be like a dog with a bone when it came to something she was passionate about, like Mindy's life for example. Every Thanksgiving, it was always something. Last year it was about minimum wage and Mindy's life. This year it was about the presidential election and Mindy's life.
"I just want to be able to help. You know, Bee, I was in the same situation when I was younger, so..." Aunt Iris started but Mindy's mom cut her off.
"Please, Iris. You were younger almost forty years ago. Things are different now and women are waiting to get hitched well beyond their thirties. Leave her be. Now!" Her voice was stern, sharp, and clipped.
There would be no denying that Mindy's mom was over-protective. She was fiercely acute and keenly aware of all her children's dealings, issues, and lives; even with her son, Shane Sinclair, a professional football player. He had just publicly proposed to his girlfriend, Diamond Reeves, during a game with the words Marry Me and the symbol of a diamond painted on his helmet. This happened after Beatrice's husband, Mindy and Shane's father, had passed away. Diamond helped to revive Shane and the rest was a love story that was already told.
Therefore, the family’s focus had turned to Mindy, and more particularly her being seen in the company of a certain NBA player, Randall Jefferson. He was a stand-up player for the D.C. Wizards; on and off the court. Their first encounter was at Shane's end of the season football game. He'd taken Mindy out a few times after that, but Beatrice hadn’t heard anything else about the matter. Mindy simply shut down and continued her life like nothing ever happened. She’d approached the subject a few times but Mindy said there wasn't anything to discuss. Beatrice knew what that meant; Mindy had sabotaged it somehow or blown something out of proportion. However, she also knew what she saw in Randall; a man determined to get what he wanted, in his due time. It was almost like he was a Sinclair man. There was nothing concrete to confirm this but she had a feeling and that gut of hers never failed.
Scrolling through the list of graduate programs, Mindy began to feel like a loser. She was twenty-eight and still had no real purpose, career, nor something she felt like she was destined to do as her siblings had done. She had yet to find herself, while Shane was a soon to be married man with a football career and her sister, Sandra, was happily married doing the housewife thing.
In undergraduate school, Mindy majored in Communications, only because it required a plethora of courses and didn’t focus on a particular curriculum. She’d worked odd jobs here and there but for the most part she had always worked for her father's charity organization; which Shane had recently taken over since their dad had passed.
There wasn't a day she didn't miss her father. He, out of everyone, was the one that understood her the most. Her mother was always her advocate, but her father was a kindred spirit. He was a man, so it was displayed differently but they still shared the same emotions; very sensitive, stern and resolute. He could be very comical, like herself, and sometimes they were the only ones to catch their jokes. Her mother, Shane, and Sandra always shook their heads at them but she and her dad just laughed.
Now, he was gone, and she didn't have her kindred spirit anymore. Mindy and Shane were closer, and Mindy absolutely loved Diamond, her new sister-in-law to be. Diamond was a major step-up from the wretched and deranged Vivian, Shane's previous fiancée, who set up this crazy elaborate scheme to get him back after he broke their engagement. Vivian’s mother had the nerve to participate in the drama but it ended up an epic fail for them.
Another person she thought could possibly be a friend was this guy who was a basketball player. A professional one at that, which was worse. She knew how those guys operated, and even though he was drop-dead gorgeous, he was bad news.
Scrolling from one school to the next, she saw a major that stuck out, Digital Journalism. As she scrolled through, her interest peaked at the possibilities, plus her future sister-in-law could also help her. Mindy applied and prepared all her transcripts, references, and her standard essay for admissions. It was a long shot but it was right up her alley. She had worked on the high school newspaper her junior and senior years and aced her journalism course in undergraduate school. She wasn't sure if the professor passed her with high marks because her brother was Shane Sinclair, the number one draft pick for the Redskins, but that was the life of being in the backlight of a celebrity. You never knew the sincerity of others when they know who you are or who you're related to.
This very notion kept Mindy to herself and away from friending new people. She was never sure of their motives and she didn’t want to pick wrong and shame the family.
"Mindy, of course I'll help you. Oh my gosh. Journalism. I love that for you," Diamond exclaimed when she heard the news.
Mindy's lips spread into a huge smile as she watched her future sister-in-law get excited about her new transition. She hadn't told a soul but whenever she talked with Diamond, she always got the urge to share her business. On one level, she knew whatever was divulged would remain between the two of them.
"Yeah, we'll see. I'm not sure. Have you ever felt like that?" Mindy asked.
"Oh yeah. All the time. I mean, after my divorce, I literally thought about traveling th
e world for a little and finding my purpose. I wasn't sold on anything. I knew what I enjoyed doing but that didn’t mean it wasn’t a part of someone else’s story, you know what I mean? Overbearing men in my life often have a way of trying to project their will on me or that could have all been in my head." She looked up with a smile on her face as she absently stirred her tea.
The two women were at a small café outside of Bowie, Maryland. It was their Saturday personal spot, with no spectators, no fans, or paparazzi. Diamond had been on television a lot lately, mostly associated with Shane; so, she was easily recognizable. Except for today, she was in a gray and pink jogging outfit, matching sneakers, a brimmed, fitted sports hat and her hair pulled back in a ponytail. This did not look like the Diamond Reeves from WUSA. She looked like a girl just coming from a run. This was another reason why Mindy liked her; she was down to earth, real, and turning out to be a true friend.
"I understand." Mindy nodded with a far-off look.
Diamond lifted her cup to take a sip but stopped and asked, "What's up with you and Randall? He always asks about you."
Mindy scoffed before she took a bite of the scone she knew she shouldn't have bought.
"We're just ..." She stared, then paused. "Well, I'm not sure how to put this."
"Girl, just say it." Diamond laughed. "Is he a horrible kisser or something? Bad in bed? Did you guys even get that far?"
Mindy burst out laughing at her comments.
"No, no. We didn't get that far." Mindy shook her head. "It's just that, I already have one pro player in my life. Right? So, I'm twenty-eight now and not sure what I'm doing with my life because I've been in other people's shadows. I want to get out on my own and do things myself. You know, not in anyone's shadow or anything but just me."
She paused.
"I don't know, Diamond. I just want to find me. I'm too old not to know who I am, so I want to find that out independent of some other large figure in my light. Y'all make fun of me about saying I want to be independent and all but ..." Mindy leaned forward. "I've never lived on my own. I haven't bought a major appliance. I don't know what it's like to pay a dang utility bill."
"So?" Diamond nodded her head. "You think that dating Randall will hinder you from finding yourself?"
"Well, yeah," Mindy exclaimed. "He's this larger than life pro player and everything would be about him. Maybe I'm just being selfish, but it's time for things to be about me. Is that wrong?"
Diamond sipped on her tea and made a small smile.
"Mindy, I love you. You're like the sister I've never had but if I know Randall, like I think I do, you won't have to worry about being cast as a shadow in his light. He'll make everything about you. Believe me, I hear you. I moved all the way from California because I understand what you mean but with guys like your brother and Randall, that won't be an issue," she replied with more confidence than Mindy expected.
It almost reminded her of what her mom said about Sinclair men, “Get in the way of what they want and it will be hell to pay.”
"Anyway," Diamond continued. "You have your own story but I just hope you don't miss out on something monumental. However, you better be at my New Year’s Eve party."
"Of course. I'll be there," Mindy said with little hesitation.
Her mind was still reeling over the player, Mr. Jefferson, Diamond's words, and the sinking feeling that this was only the beginning of a bigger story.
Chapter Two
"No, I don't want the contract. Don't really care what they're talking about." Randall crossed his legs and gave his agent the side eye.
Miles sighed and said, "Randall. Man, I hear you but just because they chose to donate their money to Maryland schools instead of DC schools, doesn't mean you shouldn't hear them out and let them endorse you."
"Miles, you're not hearing me. Maryland schools are not even in the least bit of trouble compared to what the DC schools are facing. Simple research would show that fact. I'm on the Wizards’ team and I'm from DC, so if I can’t help the city that I'm from, then how do I give back to those that support me. That's an oxymoron to me and if it comes to that, then it's time for me to give up this career."
His thin hand ran through his head full of red hair. Miles was beyond frustrated with Randall, who was not only his favorite client but also his worst pain in the ass. No one could deny the man was a stand-up guy but sometimes, he was too stand-up. Not preachy but just resolute in his charities and the change he wanted to create. He believed in that jazz and Miles could never get him to see things from his perspective.
"Fine. Are you going to the Sinclair's New Year’s party?" Miles gave up. "It'll be good publ..."
"They're my friends. Of course, I'll be there." Randall shifted his eyes back towards the pale-faced agent. "No publicity. No cameras. Nothing. I'm going as a friend."
"Your date is..."
Randall cut him off again.
"Leave my personal business out of this. Unlike you, I don't make friendships based on what I can get out of them." Randall suddenly stood up, strode to the door with his final remarks. "Good day."
Against Randall's better wishes, his forced date to the Sinclair party was with Miles’ business partner, Amy Wrestler. They were working together because of a pending endorsement with the Grestler Corporation that was tied to several other players and teams. He didn't even want to get involved in it but this was a team effort that Miles said originated from his coach, who he highly respected. A cross-sports league media collaboration is what Miles called it and said it was supposed to be bringing the leagues together for various causes and charities. Why Amy or Miles couldn't pitch the company’s model at any regular endorsement meeting was weird but she wanted to be personally introduced on friendly terms and by someone the others trusted. It was Miles’ idea to get Randall involved and he'd been a friend before an agent, which was another reason Randall had agreed. However, he felt baffled about the setup; it was like Miles was leading him in the wrong direction.
When they arrived the party, Amy took a call on the way inside, so Randall kept going.
"Randall!" Diamond yelled and slightly ran toward him as he walked through Diamond and Shane’s enormous, sunken living room.
"Hey, girl!" He easily lifted her and kissed her cheek. "You look like you trying to kill every man in here or just my man, Shane."
She laughed out loud and said, "Stop it. It's just for Shane."
Randall was sure of it because those two had been dragged through the media in a good and bad way. They were clearly in love with each other and God help the one that tried to get between them. They both could be very fierce and rightfully so, as far as Randall was concerned. He'd not settled down with anyone and had never thought about it until recently.
He scanned the room, looking for one person in particular. He saw a lot of people in attendance but not her. Randall smiled and said, "Nice turnout."
"Yes, it is ..." Diamond was interrupted.
"Diamond, need your help in the kitchen," a woman called out to her.
"Ugh. Remind me never to throw another party." She sighed, then squeezed my arm and made her way to the kitchen.
"Hey," Amy called. "You left me."
"Sorry, I saw the host and wanted to speak with her."
Randall almost groaned because his unwanted guest was going to follow him around like a puppy dog all evening. His only goal was to introduce her to Shane and Matthew Cunningham so then his job would be done. The rest was on her and her alone.
He moved around until he found Shane at the pool table with a few of his teammates that he recognized.
"Randall Jefferson," Shane exclaimed. "Damn, you looking good man."
The two men half-hugged each other and held their hands together in the way that men do when they haven't seen each other in a while.
"Man, I'm not the one about to be tied down to the hell-raiser. You're the one who looks good." All the men laughed.
"Who you got here?" Shane calmed and l
ooked to Amy.
"Yeah, this is my date for this evening. Her name is Amy Wrestler and she's with..."
Something crashed causing everyone to look beyond Randall.
A woman was crouched on the ground picking up the hors d'oeuvres. She had on a lace flared dress that covered her short legs as she picked up the crackers and brie cheese scattered on the marble floor.
"Mindy." Shane moved towards her but Randall beat him to her.
He bent down on one knee, held out his hand to stand her up, and continued to pick up the crackers when Shane joined him.
"You alright?" Shane asked.
"Um, yeah." Mindy looked around at the men and the one woman. "Yeah, yeah. I'm fine. Just don't try these heels at home."
She lifted her foot and pointed to them as everybody laughed at her witty comeback.
"Hey Mindy," Randall said as he gazed into her big cartoon-like, brown eyes with long lashes. "How've you been?"
"Oh, good." She nodded quickly and grabbed the tray from Shane. "I'll go get some more. The one's that haven’t hit the floor. I promise."
Turning on her heels, she scurried from the room and one of the guys said, "Your sister's cute."
Randall cut his eyes at the guy then stalked after his short opponent.
"Short stuff," he called once he spotted her in the kitchen, gripping the side of the counter. "Why've you been avoiding me?"
"Don't call me that," she growled.
"Make me," he countered as everyone else in the kitchen thought this was a perfect time to leave the area.
Randall was standing right behind her when she whirled around with her perfectly arched eyebrows pushed together and her pouty lips pursed.
"Listen, jolly green giant." She pointed her finger at him. "Just because you're over the average height of a human doesn't mean that you can tease the rest of us."