Chapter 9
My heartbeat resembled that of a college drum line.
The adrenaline coursed through my veins as I dribbled down the court.
I stood at the top of the arch and looked around for Kimberly.
She had two defenders on her. I looked to the right and saw Cinnamon with a defender on her.
If Kimberly had two defenders on her, someone had to be open.
“Rotate,” I instructed as I took a step back and dribbled behind my back.
Ashley and Marnajah rotated, which resulted in Ashley having the open. I passed the ball to her; she passed the ball to Marnajah, and Marnajah passed the ball to Cinnamon. Once Cinnamon got the ball, she drove it to the basket for a smooth off the fingertip layup.
We had calculated plays all game. I was a beast on offense and a beast on defense. Inside the paint, I locked up the girl I guarded. Leslie Ortego. Leslie was mad she’d gotten ten of her twelve shots blocked or stolen by me. I could see the anger and frustration in her eyes.
“Come on, Ortego. Don’t let me see that frustration or I’m going to really start clowning your ass,” I taunted.
“Shut up, bitch.” She growled as she tried to do a step back move.
Unfortunately, her movements were predictable.
As she stepped back, I stole the ball and launched it back down the court.
Najah was exactly where I knew she would be to take the ball to the basket.
She did an effortless layup. The shot brought our score to seventy-nine, while the other team had sixty-one.
We had a strong eighteen-point lead, and I prayed we kept the momentum until the final buzzer.
Leslie swore aloud. The referee blew her whistle to start a substitution.
Their coach subbed Leslie out for Brenda Jones.
Brenda was a big woman. She was six feet and six inches in height with a good 210 pounds on her.
She was terrible with getting points, but her defense was immaculate. I’d studied her for moments like this.
“You might could get them shots off on Leslie, but I’m not letting you make shit else.” Brenda cracked her knuckles as she stepped up to me.
“Luckily for me, I don’t have to be the highest scorer on my team. If I don’t have a shot, I’m passing that shit. Your big ass ain’t fast enough to steal any of the passes I’m throwing.” I smirked as she glared at me.
As predicted, all my passes still increased my stats. I had ten assists in the fourth quarter alone by the time the final buzzer rang.
“Let’s go, Vipers! That’s how the fuck you get the dub.
” I clapped my hands as we all celebrated our first win of the season.
Like professionals, we spoke to the other team.
During that, I kept it respectful with Leslie, who ignored my handshake.
I smirked, though. She’d be trending for her nasty attitude.
One of the sports reporters came over to me as I grabbed a towel to wipe the sweat off my face. She smiled brightly at me as she held the microphone up to me.
“It’s Jana Givings here with thee Ava Starr.
Ava, you had an amazing first game. Your stats are unrivaled.
Twenty-six points, twelve rebounds, and sixteen assists.
Congratulations on your triple double. Despite the unorthodox pregame drama that occurred, you came onto this court and left no crumbs.
How were you able to lock in tonight?” she asked.
I smiled. “Thank you. I would first like to start by saying I can be dramatic. I’m human.
People like to think athletes and other celebrities aren’t human, but we are.
I bleed just like anyone else. I cry just like any other woman.
I lost my grandmother a while ago, and I have never played a game without my necklace.
I wasn’t about to start tonight. I’m so thankful for my team and my boyfriend.
Marcus made sure I had my necklace tonight, so my stats tonight are because of his efforts to get the necklace to me.
It might seem dramatic and ridiculous to a lot of people, but it’s the world to me. ”
“Let’s get into this boyfriend of yours. I see him over there, watching our interview. How has this been? This is the first public relationship we’ve ever seen you in. How do you plan on navigating dating life and your career?”
My cheeks hurt from the intensity of my joy. I glanced back at Marcus, who smiled at me with his perfect white teeth. He made the simplest outfits look good. I’d have to have a conversation about his gray sweatpants, but other than that, he was everything I wanted and more.
“Basketball will always and forever be my first love and main priority. Marcus is a blessing. He speaks life into me and my craft. He makes me feel safe and secure and allows me to be as feminine and unfiltered as I want to be. For most of my life, I’ve had to be tough and hard so people wouldn’t use me and abuse me.
With Marcus, I know he would never hurt me.
It’s been great, and I enjoy every moment existing with him. ”
Jana cooed. “That’s wonderful. Marcus is Marnajah’s older brother. How did she feel about you dating family?”
“Hold on.” I searched the court for my partner in crime. When I saw her, I shouted out to her. “Najah!”
When our eyes met, I motioned for her to come over. She skipped over to me and slung an arm over my shoulder. “What’s up?”
“We’re joined by the amazing Marnajah Hastings. She also had a stellar performance tonight. Sixteen points, four steals, six blocks, four assists, and ten rebounds. You are a powerhouse on the court.”
“Thank you. I fed off the energy of the other girls. After the drama queen got her sh—act together, we were unstoppable. We all feed off of Ava’s energy, and I was grateful my brother was able to get her in the game tonight,” Najah explained animatedly.
“How does it feel to have your teammate dating your brother?” Jana questioned.
“Honestly, I was with it from the very beginning. She was nervous to tell me about them, but I support their relationship one hundred percent. Ava has been my sister since we got on the team together. Injured or healthy, she checks in with me like we came from the same uterus. I love Ava, and I love Marcus. They’ll be great together. ”
I poked out my bottom lip as I listened to Najah talk about her thoughts on me and Marcus. It warmed my heart to hear the genuine love she had for me. She was my sister for life, and nothing would change that.
“Thank y’all so much for joining me during this post-game interview. It was so inciteful and such a pleasure to talk to two of the best in the league right now. I hope the Vipers put an end to championship stories and bring the title home to the city.”
“In all honesty, I do believe this season will only be the beginning. We will be like Lebron James. He had over ten final appearances in his career. During our reign, we’re going to hit those same numbers.
” I smiled toward the camera and thanked Jana for her time as well.
When I turned around, I had my eyes set out on Marcus.
My feet traveled to him in long, quick strides.
I wanted to take him to the locker room and?—
“Ava.”
My movements stopped abruptly. I looked away from Marcus long enough to see my father approaching. His eyebrows were knitted together to emphasize the scowl on his aged features. He was about to hit me with the power of all his disappointment. I could feel the argument in his aura.
“Oop, I’ma see you in the locker room, girl.” Najah made her way toward the tunnel to the locker room.
“Yes, Daddy?” I planted my feet and crossed my arms.
“What was this little performance you put on today with Hastings’ brother?” he asked.
“It wasn’t a performance. Marcus and I are dating. He’s my peace through a storm. He’s my anchor when I need support. I love him.”
Daddy’s face remained unimpressed. “I don’t think a relationship right now is worth messing up your career for.”
“What? It’s not going to mess up anything.”
“I’m sure you’re sexually active. What if you get pregnant? You’ll be out of the game for years.”
“I’m not?—”
“Don’t lie to me. I don’t want to know the details, but I know you’re sexually active. Careful or not, pregnancies happen.”
“Daddy, you’re not listening to me. I’m literally telling you that I’m not going to put my career in jeopardy.
I love you, but I’m going to need you to let me live my own life.
I am my own player, and I shouldn’t have to be under your shadow for the rest of my career.
I should be able to live my life as I see fit without your judgment.
Can I please just have the support of my father and not the disappointment of the legendary Axel Starr? Is that too much to ask for?”
My hands shook as I finished my spiel. I didn’t plan on snapping on him like that, but it felt like the only thing I could do in the moment.
I had a great game, and instead of saying that, he made the shit about my relationship with Marcus—as most people in the media would.
He should have been different. He should have been my support in the sea full of haters and those wishing I fail.
“Baby girl, I care about you and the legacy you leave behind.”
“Fuck the legacy!”
“Watch your mouth when you’re talking to me. I haven’t cursed at you, so you don’t do that to me.”
I gulped. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to. I’m just frustrated.
It’s like you don’t understand the fact I’m going to be in the hall of fame for the records I’ve broken already.
Everything I do from here on out will only be a bonus to what I’ve already done.
Championship or not, I’m one of the best of all time, and I wish you saw that. ”
He sighed deeply. “I hear you, baby girl. I really do.”
“You know ball is life. You know, my love for the game has always been my main priority. I also refuse to be alone forever, worried about if a man is only using me to get to you. I don’t have to worry about that with Marcus. He sees me for me and doesn’t care about who I’m associated with.”
“Well, I think I need to meet this young man officially.”
I gulped again. “Huh?”
“If you want me to back off, let me have a conversation with the young man who wants to be with you. Let me approve of him.”
“Well, I…”
“Don’t get scared now.”
“I’m not scared.”
I’m fucking petrified. I’d never introduced my daddy to any man in my life. Granted, I’d never been with anyone worthy of meeting my daddy until Marcus.
“Okay then. Go get changed and celebrate with your friends. I’ll wait for you to make the official introduction with your little friend when you come back. I won’t approach him without you there.”
I smiled. “You’re softening up, old man.”
He shook his head. “Chill with all that old man talk. I’m still that nigga.”
I scrunched my face up. “Don’t ever in your life talk like that again, Daddy.”
“Why not? It’s true. You better ask your mama about me.”
I covered my mouth and made a gagging noise. “I don’t think I will.”
“Your loss. Hurry up and go celebrate. I’ll be waiting.”
“Okay.” I gave him a hug and jogged toward the tunnel.
My heartbeat sounded like a drum in my ears.
It was the first time I’d introduce someone to my daddy.
Marcus was special. Marcus was mine. I prayed he and my father got along because I loved them both.
No girl wanted to choose between the man who contributed to bringing her into the world and the man who awakened her soul for the first time.
Shit like that was complicated, and I refused to have drama in my life.
Lord, please let my favorite guys click. I don’t want any drama.