Epilogue
A few months later
Seated courtside, the arena’s energy was unprecedented.
Fans occupied every seat. There wasn’t a vacancy inside or outside the arena.
The number of people in attendance had been record-breaking for a WNBA game.
Everyone had tuned in, whether in person or on many streaming services, to witness the final chapter of the Vipers’ underdog story.
Ava and her team had made it to the finals for the fourth time, and this time, everyone could feel their win brewing.
The Columbia Red Weasels were ready to bring home the title as well, but I had faith in the ladies playing for Cade’s Cove.
The opening tip-off was won by the Vipers.
The crowd cheered loudly as Livy tossed the ball to Cinnamon.
Cinnamon dribbled to the top of the arch and read the layout of the teams. Cinnamon was so skilled at being a natural playmaker.
She passed the ball to Ava who was down on the left corner of the court.
I could hardly take my eyes off her as she fake pumped and drove to the basket.
Her layup slid off her fingers like butter.
The first score of the game had the whole arena screaming with joy.
“This game is beautiful,” Pops commented as he crossed his arms over his chest. His eyes watched Najah intently. This would be the first time she’d made it to the championship healthy. We were all on pins and needles anticipating an injury, while hoping for the best.
“It really is. I’m glad Nay’s accident prone, clumsy ass made it to play.”
“You and me both, Son. You and me both.” Pops chuckled as he leaned forward and rested his hands on his knees.
The game had been fast paced since tip-off. Each team found a way to score with each possession. Defense on the Vipers needed to pick up if they wanted to get a lead on the Red Weasels before the end of second quarter. We needed to go into halftime with a decent lead on them.
One referee blew his whistle and pointed at Ava. Ava’s mouth fell agape. “What!”
“Don’t blow up, baby. Keep calm… Don’t risk a technical foul…” I mumbled under my breath as the game paused and the referee walked over to the score table.
“Charging foul, number five.” The referee announced the call, and everyone in the stadium booed him.
A charging foul was called when the offensive player charged or made contact with a defender who was set in their legal guarding position. A legal guarding position meant both feet were planted, and their torso was positioned in the direction of the offensive player.
“You’re bullshitting.” Ava charged toward the referee, but Nay caught her arm and pulled her back toward the bench.
I couldn’t hear the exchange of words, but I could see the frustration on Ava’s face. This was a monumental moment in the quarter, and she’d have to sit down and cool off before she risked getting ejected. Emotions were high, and I understood her annoyance with the call.
“Keep cool, baby.” I mumbled again. She couldn’t hear me, but I felt like she could feel my words.
She sat back in the chair and covered her face with the towel.
She needed a breather to get her head back on the important shit.
One foul wasn’t the end of the world, but to her, in that moment, it was close enough.
The second quarter ended with the Vipers up fifty-six to fifty-one.
The lead wasn’t large enough. If the Vipers didn’t come back after halftime with their foot on the gas, they might throw the game away.
Everyone was healthy. Everyone had high energy.
I needed them to lock in and get the title for our city.
My phone buzzed in my pocket. I pulled it out and shook my head at the text message.
Ava: I need my peace by my side. I’m still fuming about that bullshit ass call. I’ve already let security know to let you through the barricade. Come see me, please.
Me: I’m on my way, baby.
She hearted the message. I stood up and stretched. I looked over at my parents who were in a low conversation.
“I’m headed to the locker room to check on Ava. Do y’all want me to grab you anything on my way back to the seats?”
Mama nodded. “Some water and nachos, please.”
“I’ll take a beer and a bag of chips,” Pops added.
“Sounds good.”
I walked down the side of the court to the tunnel.
I showed them my ID, and they granted me access to the locker room.
I walked in, and most of the ladies were seated in front of their lockers, praying, eating, and talking about what they wanted to see in the second half of the game.
Ava sat in front of her locker with her headphones on.
She bobbed her head with her eyes closed to whatever song was playing.
“Baby,” I called out to her.
Immediately, her eyes popped open, and she found my gaze. She stood up and closed the distance between us. I placed my hands on the small of her back, and she melted under my touch.
“Just being in your arms makes all the difference in my mood. I wanted to call that man everything but a child of God. The call was bullshit, Marcus.”
“I know.”
“I wanted Coach to challenge that shit, but we needed to move on and not risk losing a timeout. I hate how much these refs suck this season. It’s like they have their own parlays they tryna get in.”
I laughed. “Just don’t say that shit online anywhere. The last thing we need is the referee association suing you for defamation or libel or whatever the fuck it’s called.”
She giggled. “Fine. I won’t say it anywhere but in here. I am frustrated, though. That foul really fucked up my mental for the quarter. I couldn’t shake back.”
“You did let that rattle you, and I don’t know why. It was an easy pivot for you to lock back in on defense, but you didn’t. You’re letting nonfactors influence your game time, and I don’t like that.”
She poked out her bottom lip. I leaned down slightly to kiss her. She sighed against my mouth, which made us both laugh lightly.
“Thank you for being my diary. I needed some physical touch and a gentle listener. You helped me a lot.”
“Of course. Now, I want all of you ladies to appreciate this moment. Back again for the fourth time with a fully healthy roster. I am so proud of y’all, and I know y’all are going to do what it takes to get the win.
Keep your head focused. Trust each other.
Listen to each other. Most importantly, beat the hell out of those Red Weasel bitches. ”
My mini pep talk evoked a symphony of laughter as I said my goodbyes. I gave Ava one more kiss and well wishes before I headed to the concession stands to grab the requested items for my parents.
When halftime ended and the second half began, it was as if both teams had gotten a power up.
The pace of the possessions was fast. The score had been a tit for tat all throughout the third quarter.
Everyone stood during the fourth quarter.
We were all on edge trying to see the anticipated Viper finale have a positive conclusion.
Confetti fell from the sky as the final buzzer rang throughout the arena. The final score was 115 to 110. The Vipers did it. The long-awaited finale to their underdog story had the perfect ending.
Ava and Najah hugged in the center of the court as everyone jumped up and surrounded them. I could see the tears in Ava’s eyes as I closed the distance between us.
“Congratulations, bighead.” I spoke to my sister first. She rolled her eyes but hugged me, anyway.
“Thank you, loser.” She moved on to the next person approaching her.
“Congratulations, my love.” I addressed Ava.
Ava jumped into my arms as the tears slid down her face. “We did it, Marcus! We brought the title home. We did it.”
“Yes, y’all did. I’m so proud of you. You and the team showed up every night and gave it your all. It’s finally yours.”
“Thank you.”
“For what?”
“For being my peace, my protector, my best friend, and heart in human form. I love you more than words can describe.”
It was like the crowded arena had become empty. Ava was the only person in my universe. “I love you more than there are stars in the sky. Enjoy the night with your team and bask in the feel of your victory.”
A few months later
My heart pounded in my chest. My palms sweat.
My mind raced. I stood beside the table in the center of the basketball court.
I’d rented it for the night. There was a live band playing R&B instrumentals.
The lights were dim. I’d paid a decorator to create a rose arch and a light up sign that read, Marry Me .
Is this too soon?
Will she say yes?
Are we moving too fast?
“Get it the fuck together, Marcus.” I reminded myself who I was. The time was perfect. She had been on a high since the championship. She was on a winning tour, had gotten new brand deals, roles on shows, and had launched her podcast.
You picked the perfect time.
Me: Meet me on the court. I’ve got a surprise for you.
AVA: You’ve got me nervous. I don’t know why you made me wear these heels and I have to walk down the tunnel to the court.
Me: You’ll see.
I placed my phone in my pocket and stood in front of the table on the black rug covered in red rose petals.
“Marcus…”
I looked up at the sound of her voice and nearly fainted.
She was absolutely beautiful in her black dress and red heels.
Her hair was freshly braided and pulled up into a bun with a few braids curled on either side of her face.
Her makeup was done, and her nails were manicured.
She looked good enough to eat… I just might.
Ava’s steps paused when she took in the full scene. I motioned for the band to play the instrumental to “Spend My Life With You” by Eric Benet. Ava covered her mouth and began to cry.
“Marcus, baby…”
“Come here, beautiful.”
She walked slowly over to me, just the two of us in the room. I had a camera on the stand nearby to capture the moment for others to witness later. In this moment, I wanted it to be just us.
“I want to spend the rest of my life with you as my wife. I want to make this shit legal. I want to be your husband in every lifetime. Ava Starr, will you be my wife?” I asked as I presented the ring.
The ring was expensive but worth every penny.
It was a double rose gold band engagement ring with a princess diamond.
“Y-yes, baby.”
I slid the ring on her finger and barely stood up before she jumped into my arms and kissed me. Her lips were glossy, but I didn’t give a damn. I stuck my tongue in her mouth and smirked as she moaned against my lips.
“Don’t start that shit, Ava.”
“Start what?” The lust in her voice made my dick jump.
“You know what you’re doing.”
“Baby… I want you so bad. I need you.”
I licked my lips. “Let me stop the recording on the camera, and we can really see the type of echo this arena can have.”
“Keep the camera rolling…”
“Oh, show out then.”
“I’ll be your star player tonight.”
“And every night until we die.”
THE END.
Thank you for reading! If you enjoyed Ava and Marcus, please leave an honest review or rating. Although this is the end of their story, I have more to come!