Chapter 7 #2
In every lifetime, I would choose him. In every storyline, I would run off into the sunset with him. Tears slid from my eyes as my orgasm flowed from my warmth. I gasped as he nutted in me.
“I love you, Marcus.”
“I love you more. I love you more than there are stars in the sky. I love you more than there is oxygen in the air.”
“ Shit !”
His declaration made my soul burst. Streams of our love mixed as he stroked me a few more times before he finally pulled out.
“That was…”
“… amazing.”
My eyes lulled open. Time had become a second thought.
All I knew was we’d been here long enough to see the sun rise and set twice.
I rubbed the sleep out of my eyes and searched the well-lit room for my man.
Marcus slept. His light snores were cute.
I blindly searched for my phone on the nightstand to capture the moment.
I grabbed the device and tapped on the screen. My eyes adjusted to the bright lights.
12:05pm
“Oh shit.”
I jumped up out of the bed. It was Monday afternoon. I’d lost track of time. I didn’t set alarms to remind me of the season’s first official game. I was late for pregame rituals. I needed to get back to town before warm-ups began.
“Shit. Shit. Shit.”
I stumbled around the room, trying to find everything I could to get ready.
“G’mornin’.”
Any other time, Marcus’s sleepy voice would have been sexy as hell, but I didn’t have time to dwell on it.
“I’m late. I overslept, and I missed workouts. I don’t want to miss warm-ups. I need to get to the stadium as soon as fucking possible .”
“I got you. Let me pull on some clothes really quick.”
“This was so irresponsible of me.” I chastised myself.
“We lost track of time. It’s okay, baby. I’ll get you there as fast as possible.” He pulled on a hoodie and shorts. He followed me into the bathroom as we both washed our faces and brushed our teeth.
“Don’t worry about your things. I’ll come back and clean everything up after I drop you off. You should make it before tip-off.”
“Thank you.”
“Of course.”
I called Marnajah as we headed out to his car.
“Bitch, where the hell are you?”
“I’m on my way. I’m so disappointed in myself. I can’t believe I lost track of time.”
Najah chuckled. “You and my brother fell off the face of the Earth this weekend. I’m not surprised y’all lost track of time. I hadn’t heard from you since we took our promo videos on Wednesday.”
“Girl, it was like I was on an island with just Marcus. It was amazing, but I can’t believe I lost track of time. I’m so disappointed in myself.”
“Don’t worry. We’re holding it down until you get here. Your uniform will be ready to go as soon as you get here.”
“Thank you, girl.”
“Anytime.”
I took a shower in the locker room, pulled my braids into a high ponytail, and pulled on my uniform. As I laced up my shoes, I said a prayer. I reached for my necklace and froze.
Oh no.
I looked down at my chest and didn’t see the heart-shaped pendant. My lucky charm was missing. My eyes watered as I swore out loud. I looked in my bag, in the showers, and around my locker. It was nowhere to be found. I couldn’t play the opening season game without my good luck charm.
I paced back and forth.
“What’s wrong?” Cinnamon asked as she watched me pace.
“My necklace is missing.”
“The one your grandmother gave you?” she asked.
I nodded. “I don’t know where it could be. I can’t play without it.”
“Don’t be dramatic?—”
“Cinnamon, you don’t understand. I’ve never played a game without my necklace. I don’t know how to play without it.” I began to hyperventilate.
My season was over before it started. Without the necklace, I was nobody. Without my grandmother’s spirit near, I wouldn’t be able to give my all to the game I loved so much.
I took a seat at my locker and tapped my foot incessantly on the floor.
My mind raced as I tried to retrace my steps, but the emotions coursing through my body were too severe.
Some people may have thought I was overreacting, but the necklace was special to me.
It was the most special thing I had to remember my grandmother by. I refused to play without it.
I grabbed my phone and tapped the Go Live feature on the app. When it loaded, I immediately had thousands of people joining every few seconds.
“Hey, y’all. It’s your favorite Viper. I’m only on here to get this announcement out as fast as I can.
Ava Starr will not be playing in tonight’s game.
The only way I’ll step out on that court is if I can find my necklace in time.
Day one Galaxies know how important my heart necklace is.
Without it, I’m not me. I love y’all, and I trust the team to get the dub with or without me.
” I blew a kiss to the camera and ended the live.
When I put my phone down, twelve pairs of eyes stared at me in confusion.
“Starr, what do you mean you’re not playing in the game today?” Coach asked with tight lips. She wanted to curse and scream but had to hold her composure.
“Exactly what I said, Coach. I can’t do this?—”
“This is bullshit, Starr, and you know it. All the handwork we’ve put into practice, and you want to let your team down? You want to throw away an easy win over a necklace?” She had a point, but I didn’t care.
“Yes.”
Chatter broke out as the girls tossed out several insults toward me. They were pissed at me, but I didn’t give a fuck. I had never stepped foot on a court without my necklace, and tonight wouldn’t be any different.