Full Court Devotion

by Cami Checketts

  “Come in.” She didn’t really want him to face her brothers again, but if she wanted this relationship to go anywhere, she couldn’t deny them. Also, her mom hadn’t had a chance to meet Ty.

  “You look beautiful.” Ty’s eyes swept over her fitted knee-length sweater dress, tights, and boots. “I didn’t realize I was supposed to dress up.”

  Kazlyn did a quick pirouette. “It’s just comfy and warm.”

  Ty placed his hand on her waist. The look in his eyes made her feel special and made her want to do more than just hug him. “The way you move is…beautiful. Like everything is a dance.”

  Kazlyn understood why women swooned.

  “And the schmoozer decided to knock on our front door.” Luke strode into the entryway, followed closely by Porter.

  Tension filled the room. Kazlyn debated which name to call Luke first.

  Porter extended his hand. “Porter Wilson.”

  “Tyrese Hamilton. It’s nice to meet you.” Relief swept across Ty’s features. He grinned and Kazlyn wondered how anyone could resist him.

  “You, too,” Porter said.

  Kazlyn arched an eyebrow at Luke. He sighed loudly and extended his hand. “Luke.”

  “Nice to meet you, Luke.” Ty stood so confident with his characteristic grin on his face. If he worried about Luke throwing another punch, he didn’t show it.

  Kazlyn’s mom rushed into the entryway and saved Luke from replying. “Oh, Ty, oh, my, you’re just so handsome and tall. You’re taller than Luke.”

  Ty laughed and extended his hand. Rebecca brushed it away and gave him a hug. She was so short her head didn’t clear his chest.

  “I understand you couldn’t go home for Christmas,” Rebecca said. “I’m so sorry.”

  “Thank you, ma’am.”

  “None of this ma’aming nonsense. Will you come to church and dinner with us tomorrow?”

  “I’d love to.”

  Luke scowled, but Porter smiled as he watched the interaction. Kazlyn tugged on Ty’s arm. “We’re going to go now.”

  Ty held the door open for her. “I’ll see you all tomorrow.”

  Luke stepped up to the door and delivered his parting shot, “Take as good of care of her as you’d want someone to take of your little sisters.”

  Ty nodded solemnly. “You can count on it.”

  Luke cracked a brief smile before closing the door.

  “You can breathe now.” Kazlyn bumped him with her shoulder.

  Ty wrapped his arm around her and laughed. “Was I that obvious?”

  “No, but I know Luke can be scary.”

  “It’s a good big brother quality.”

  They drove to the open town square crowded with carnival rides, games, and food vendors. The night was wonderful, as they laughed through corn dogs, fried pickles, hot cocoa, looks from all the locals, and introductions and hugs from old friends and neighbors.

  They got whiplash and the giggles on the bumper cars and Kazlyn almost lost her fried pickles on the Tilt-a-Whirl. It was fun but Kazlyn just wanted to be alone with him and the loud Christmas music was enough to give her a headache.

  “C’mere.” She tugged on his hand and they tromped through some deep snow down to the stream that was still gurgling despite the cold. The stars reflected in the ice dotting the banks. Ty wrapped his arms around her and they started swaying to the music. She loved the feel of his strong body close to hers and his clean, fresh scent.

  “You’re a dancer?” Ty asked.

  Kazlyn looked up at him. “Used to be. How did you know?”

  “Just the way you move. Why not anymore?”

  She glanced across the snow at the party going on and children screaming on carnival rides. The night was clear and the stars were out, though the golden glow from the carnival made it harder to see them. “Too busy.”

  “You miss it?”

  She nodded.

  Ty pulled away from her and stomped around in the snow until he’d created a flat area. “Dance for me.”

  Kazlyn shook her head. “I wouldn’t know what to do.”

  Ty came closer and she had to remind herself to breathe as a grin split his handsome face. He gently touched her eyelids. “Close your eyes.” She obeyed, savoring the feel of his fingertips on her face and wishing he’d kiss her. He directed her toward the spot he’d flattened, then let her go. “Just move with the music.”

  Kazlyn listened, recognizing the Nutcracker. How ironic. One of her favorite performances. She shed her coat and started moving. She couldn’t do the dance accurately—she usually would’ve been en pointe—but she danced through the song, enjoying every second, even if she didn’t have the Snow King lifting her and couldn’t do her normal leaps. She got to the part where the Snow King would’ve boosted her up for the finale and Ty was suddenly there. He wrapped his hands around her waist and easily lifted her above his head. Kazlyn laughed, looking down at him. He held her there, chuckling along with her and spun a slow circle. Suddenly, his eyes darkened, smoldering as they studied her. He lowered her, his strong body brushing against hers as he held her close.

  “You’re an amazing dancer,” Ty whispered.

  “Thank you.”

  She shyly looked away from him. Ty didn’t say anything, but she could feel his gaze on her. Kazlyn’s eyes were drawn back to him like a moth to the light. His eyes lowered to her lips, then met hers again. She went on tiptoes and wrapped her arms around his neck. Ty came down to meet her. His lips overtook hers and her heart raced for reasons other than the exertion of dancing.

  His mouth and body in contact with hers was the purest joy she’d felt. It was better than Christmas morning as a child.

  Ty released her mouth, but continued to hold her close. Even without her coat, she was warm when she was with him. “Kazlyn.” His voice was husky. “You’re the most beautiful Christmas angel I’ve ever met.”

  She blushed, feeling beautiful to him. “I’m no angel.”

  “Oh, I know, you’ve called me all kinds of awful names.”

  “Ha! You deserved them.”

  “I’m sure.” He trailed strong fingers down her cheek. “Do you still think I’m a schmoozer?”

  She tilted her head to the side, appraising him. “Yes.”

  “What?”

  “But…” She laughed. “I love it. You can schmooze me with your pretty words any time.”

  He winked, bowed his head to hers, and schmoozed her without any words at all.

  Chapter Eleven

  Ty felt more nervous than he had at last year’s championship game as he climbed Kazlyn’s porch steps Sunday morning. Her mom was great and Porter seemed to be warming up, but Luke was a different story. He was still semi-shocked the guy had tried to hit him.

  He glanced around at the house that looked more like a cabin. It fit perfectly in the rustic setting. He raised his hand to knock just as the tall wooden door swung open. Kazlyn launched herself into his arms and gave him a quick kiss. “I missed you.”

  Ty savored her soft form in his arms before leaning back to admire how beautiful she looked in the flowing red dress. “Not as much as I missed you.” He pulled her close, and almost went for another kiss when a throat cleared in the open doorway behind them.

  Luke stood glaring at them. “Mom wants him to ride with us.”

  Kazlyn took his hand and they walked together through the house. She lifted a knee-length tan coat off the couch. He helped her into it, then reached for her hand again, earning another scowl from Luke. Would the guy ever ease up?

  “You look amazing.” Kazlyn squeezed his hand and smiled up at him.

  “So do you.” Dealing with her brother was more than worth it if he could be with Kazlyn.

  Porter and Rebecca greeted him warmly and the question and answer period driving to church was bearable. Kazlyn squeezed between him and Porter in the backseat of an older Ford Explorer. With his arm around her shoulder and her hand resting on his knee, he would’ve answered anyth
ing her mom wanted to know. Luke focused on driving, not speaking to anyone.

  Ty thoroughly enjoyed the church service—songs from the choir and congregation, and a brief message on loving as the Savior would love this Christmas season. He especially liked singing with Kazlyn. Her voice was as sweet as the rest of her. After the service she introduced him to Pastor John, a tall, middle-aged man.

  “Pastor John was there for me after my dad died,” Kazlyn explained without preamble.

  The pastor patted her arm. “This angel is an easy one to be there for.”

  “She is definitely an angel,” Ty agreed.

  The pastor sized him up. “I see the light in your eyes, Son. Promise me you’ll treat Kazlyn the way the Lord would want you to.”

  Ty reached out and solemnly shook the older man’s hand. “I promise.”

  Pastor John smiled. “I see good things for you two.”

  Ty hoped the preacher was right, but he knew how driven Kazlyn was. Even if they did become a couple, he was leaving for Europe and she would want to finish her schooling here. Would she want a long-distance relationship? As much as he craved being with her, could he handle years apart? It was too early to even be wondering, but he couldn’t help himself.

  They said their goodbyes, headed toward the huge wooden doors, and exited into the brisk mountain air.

  “Hey, April,” Kazlyn said to a pretty blonde hurrying toward the church. “How are you?”

  The girl’s eyes were red-rimmed. “Okay. You?”

  “Wonderful.” Kazlyn smiled up at Ty and his heart thumped faster.

  “Are you home for a bit?” April asked.

  “Two weeks.”

  “Me, too. Can we chat later? I need to talk to Pastor John quick.”

  “Sure.” Kazlyn gave the girl a quick hug and they walked away without her introducing Ty. “I hope everything’s okay.” Kazlyn stared after her friend. She finally glanced up at Ty. “At least she’s meeting with Pastor John. He always helped all of us when we were upset.”

  Ty smiled, grateful she’d had a spiritual leader like that in her life.

  Throughout the drive home and a dinner of delicious roast beef, potatoes, corn, and homemade rolls, Ty continued to get drilled with questions from Porter and Rebecca. Luke kept pretty quiet, seeming to appraise every response and inflection of Ty’s voice.

  “How old were you when your dad died?” Porter asked quietly after Ty had shared a bit about his family.

  “Eight.” Ty set his napkin on his plate.

  Rebecca inhaled sharply. “Young.”

  “Yeah.” He nodded.

  Luke’s utensils clanked against his plate as he set them down and stared at Ty.

  “Is that why you said you grew up quick?” Kazlyn asked.

  Ty turned in his seat toward her. “Yeah.”

  “Did you have to provide for your family?”

  He shook his head. The gravy and rolls that had smelled so enticing now turned his stomach. He needed to explain to Kazlyn. “My dad had a good job and my mom is a school teacher, but we couldn’t get on top of the medical bills after dad died and my mom would never accept governmental help or family handouts. We had to move to a small apartment in downtown Huntsville. My uncle owned a grocery store. He had me stock shelves and run errands for him. Between that and basketball practice, things were busy, but we were able to pay off the medical bills the year before I started college.”

  Everyone stared at him.

  Kazlyn reached over and took his hand. “You’re an impressive man, you know that?”

  He smiled.

  Rebecca nodded. “Have you always had to work?”

  “Until I got the scholarship to USU and couldn’t fit it in. I saved most of my money the last year of high school, so at least I’m able to eat now.”

  Luke appraised him. “USU doesn’t cover everything?”

  “They do. I just like to have extra money to help my sisters. When they need a prom dress or want to go to a volleyball camp or something like that…” He shifted, embarrassed to be telling all of them about his financial situation.

  “That’s really sweet of you,” Kazlyn gazed up at him with such admiration in her eyes. He wished he could kiss her.

  “Will your mom approve of you dating a white girl?” Luke interrupted and changed the subject.

  Ty’s eyes widened. He wasn’t sure it was a good change.

  “Luke,” Rebecca and Kazlyn exclaimed together.

  “No, it’s okay.” Ty leaned back and stared at Luke. “My mom is an amazing lady and she told me years ago that she would approve of anyone I brought home, as long as they were a believer and treated me well.”

  Luke grunted.

  Kazlyn swallowed and smiled. “So, I guess I’ll need to stop calling you names?”

  Ty chuckled. “At least around my mom.”

  “I hope I get to meet her someday.”

  “Me, too.”

  They sat there smiling at each other until Luke jumped to his feet. “Clean up time.”

  Ty didn’t love the interruption of their moment, but he had fun teasing with Porter and Kazlyn as everyone pitched in to do dishes.

  “Before dessert do you want to shoot some hoops?” Luke asked.

  Ty glanced down at his white dress shirt and dark grey slacks.

  “Don’t worry,” Luke said with a smirk. “I won’t mess you up.”

  Ty grinned. “I’ll get over it if you do.” He took his tie off, rolled up his sleeves, and unbuttoned his top button. Kazlyn and Rebecca wrapped in quilts, and watched the action in the driveway from the porch swing.

  They started shooting and rebounding, nothing too serious or competitive until Luke sprang in front of Ty to grab a rebound then elbowed him in the gut. “How about some one on one?”

  Porter stood off to the side of the cleared concrete. “I might have to be ref.”

  Luke laughed. “Yeah, keep the professional in line.”

  Ty tried to go easy on him. Besides Luke pushing and fouling him, the game stayed pretty light and fun. Ty won 20-14. Luke didn’t seem to like it, but he acted all right.

  They went back inside, enjoyed pumpkin pie, and watched A Christmas Story. Ty was just about to say he should go, though he had no desire to leave Kazlyn’s side, when she asked, “Do you want to watch the fireworks with me or is Jamison expecting you?”

  “Jamison won’t care. I didn’t know they did fireworks, but I’d love to watch them with you.”

  Rebecca helped them put together a picnic dinner of roast beef sandwiches, sliced apples, cookies, and a thermos of hot cocoa. They piled blankets in the back of Ty’s truck and drove to a good spot by the hospital to watch the fireworks.

  Settled into the back of his truck, with Kazlyn cuddled against his side, Ty thought this was as close to heaven as he’d ever been. “It’s been a great day.”

  “It has.” She smiled up at him. It was dark enough he could barely make out the sparkle in her emerald eyes. “Thanks for putting up with Luke.”

  He chuckled. “He’s fine. I actually can’t wait to give my little sisters’ boyfriends a hard time.”

  She pushed against him. “I can’t believe you would do that.”

  “Hey, you go after someone’s little sister and you’re fair game.”

  She arched her eyebrows. “Are you ‘going after me’?”

  “You’d better believe I am.” He wrapped one arm around her waist and entangled the other in her soft hair.

  The fireworks started exploding above them, but neither of them even turned to look. Ty bent his head and showed her exactly how he was going after her.

  Chapter Twelve

  Kazlyn woke early the next morning, even though she’d stayed up late with Ty. She sighed dreamily, remembering the feel of his lips on hers, his arms surrounding her. He was so big, but she didn’t feel like a child with him. She felt like a woman desired by an unreal and captivating man.

  She donned a leotard and descended
the stairs to the main level and then to the basement.

  She was ten when her dad, Luke, and Porter had built this house. She’d been certain she would perform on Broadway someday. Her dad had built a dance studio in the basement for her. He’d always done anything to make her happy. She couldn’t believe she’d been so stressed the past year and a half that she’d let dancing go.

  She turned on the lights and the music, just being in the room made her feel like a carefree child. She had to dust-mop the floor, but then she was ready. She danced until sweat ran down her back and the stress of the past three months poured out of her. She was about ready to collapse from exhaustion when she heard clapping behind her.

  She whirled around and grinned. “Porter. What are you doing down here?”

  “Watching the most amazing dancer.”

  She blushed and turned off the music. “I’ve missed it.”

  “Why don’t you dance at school?”

  “No time.”

  He looked at her knowingly. “Maybe you should make time. Mom says to shower and come for breakfast. Our first game is at nine. Are you going to come watch?”

  “Watch Ty thump you? Sure.”

  “Ha. We’ll see how tough your pretty boy is.”

  ***

  The high school parking lot was crowded. “Is there something other than the tournament today?” Kazlyn asked.

  “No.” Luke grunted. “Word spread that Jamison brought some hot shot from USU, so people are actually turning out to watch the tournament this year. Ty and Jamison had a game at eight.”

  Kazlyn remembered him saying something about that last night. She should’ve been here earlier. She vowed to herself she would support him better; she wasn’t going to miss another of his games.

  One of her church friends, Molly, was working at the concession stand. Kazlyn waved, but didn’t want to stop if there was a chance she could see the end of Ty’s game. She’d come back later to chat.

  They entered the gym in time to see Ty pass the ball to Jamison’s little brother, Jacob. Jacob scored and the buzzer went off. The score was 68-20.

  “Ouch,” Porter muttered. “Glad we don’t play them first.”