Page 13 of Full Court Love
“Oh, dope. Who’s Britt?”
“She’s on the volleyball team. She’s really good. And from what I know, she’s single, in case this thing with Lucy doesn’t work out.”
I chuckle and shake my head. He’s deflecting big time. I guess I’m not the only one who has it bad.
“What a generous offer. I’m glad you have so much faith in me.”
He holds up his hands. “Hey, I know what I know. Don’t shoot the messenger. Lucy is a puzzle.”
Oh, good. I’m a master at puzzles. It was my second-favorite activity at the YMCA behind basketball. But I don’t need to tell him that.
“Let’s head out.”
We go to the pre-party, which ends up being exactly what I expected. Many of the guys are already buzzed and discussing the other games going on in our conference. The other ones are discussing which girls are supposed to be there tonight.
I hear one of the freshmen mention the contest. “Dude, who was that hot blonde chick who kicked Mitchell’s ass?”
One of the other seniors, Aaron Humphrey, chimes in. “Lucy Townes. She won’t give you the time of day.”
The freshman, who I now see is the loud-mouthed Hunter Matthews, just smirks. “What about the time of night?”
All the guys laugh, and I feel my blood start to boil. This girl isn’t my girlfriend–or even my friend yet, for that matter–but hearing him talk about her like this is making me clench my fists like I’m warming up for a fight.
My hand feels wet and I realize I inadvertently crushed the beer can I’m holding. No one notices as I chuck it a little too hard in the trash can and spend the next hour staring daggers at Hunter. A freshman who didn’t even see the floor today should not have an ego this big.
And yet I remember what it was like, coming in and feeling like you need to prove yourself. My first year, I had a big mouth and a bigger ego. Thankfully, my teammates put me in my place.
But I still carried a burning desire to prove myself.
I’ve felt like that my entire life, thanks to my dad. Every game starting in fourth grade, he sat on the sidelines screaming at me, my teammates, the coaches, the refs… pretty much anyone within earshot. Nothing I did was ever enough.
I was never asked to be on a team longer than a season. Every new year meant a new team, a new group of people whose acceptance I desperately wanted but wouldn’t ever gain. Nothing I did worked because according to my dad, if I was better, they’d have wanted me to stay. But I wasn’t good enough.
This deep intrusive thought sends a shiver down my spine. I shake it out and look around. We’ve finally reached the point in the night that I’ve been desperately waiting for: heading to the Cubby–AKA, the place where I’ll finally get to talk to Lucy off the basketball court.
Wearing something other than a jersey.
Talking something other than smack.
Doing something other than trying to beat her.
My neck gets warm at the mere thought of being close toher. It only gets worse when I walk into the bar and see her looking like a damn model.
Her long blonde hair is in waves down her back. Her white tank top is tight, hugging all the right places. She’s got long flowing olive pants that make her legs look like they stretch on for days. She’s wearing Retro Air Jordans in green and white.
She glances toward the door, and I catch her eye. My mouth goes dry, but she turns right back to her conversation with a guy who looks like he’s probably on the football team.
That’s okay. I’m in no rush. I’ll wait for her as long as I need to.
Tyler and I get drinks and do a lap, with him introducing me to various acquaintances and friends, most of them other athletes. I’m keeping tabs on Lucy, glancing in her direction every few minutes. And she’s definitely tracking me because we’ve made eye contact across the crowded bar more than once. Maybe that’s our thing–finding one another amidst the chaos. Yet neither of us has made a move.
Tyler continues the introductions, and then his face lights up and he leaves me in the dust. I know which one is Britt before he even says her name.
He puts a hand on her lower back, and she turns with a grin. She greets him with a huge hug that’s held for just a couple seconds longer than is normal.
Clearly, these two are friendly. Once they get talking, I become invisible. I could start juggling flaming tequila shots and they wouldn’t break eye contact. Speaking of eye contact, I was so busy watching Tyler and Britt fall in love, I haven’t seen Lucy in a minute.
I step back and sweep the room. My heart sinks. I see Hunter approaching Lucy, who’s sitting in a chair near the door, laughing and looking effortlessly beautiful. Before I can stop myself, I start cracking my knuckles and heading in thatdirection to teach this overeager freshman a lesson about respecting women.