Chapter 19
Kove
“The fuck you doing, tighten up your D,” Jabari yelled after we lost the ball because Kreden, one of the G-League players they pulled up, turned the ball over.
“My bad.”
“Ain’t no my bad, Kree. Tighten that shit up,” Meyer repeated before jogging backwards down the court. I walked past Kreden and bumped his fist.
“You’re overthinking shit. Stop letting them get in your head. If you want a spot you gotta show them you deserve it.”
He nodded and gripped the back of his neck.
“You can say that, you have one. I’m split between here and the G-League.
” His tone was clipped from frustration.
He left college his junior year, entered the draft, and was in his third year in the G-league.
This year they’d pulled him up but he wasn’t promised any time on the court.
“The fuck you whining for? You either want this shit or you don’t. I worked for mine. Work for yours,” I said and he nodded stiffly.
“The fuck y’all doing, let’s go. This is the last run before we go home,” Meyer yelled out and I took off down court, waiting for offense to bring the ball down.
Kreden followed me and played like he had some damn sense.
He knocked the ball away from Kameron and tipped it forward enough for Jabari to grab it and make a run down court.
I took off and we did a rotation at the top of the key.
He sent it to Meyer first who faked like he was about to cut through the paint but he pulled back and sent a chest pass to me after I crossed under the goal, made it out to the corner, and posted up behind the three point line.
“All fucking net,” I yelled, nodded, and walked to the side after Coach called the game.
“I see you finally got your shit together,” Jabari joked when he moved past me to grab a water bottle from the bleachers.
I smirked and nodded. “My shit was already together. Rowe was just trying to keep a check.”
Meyer laughed. “Shit, you might be right. I ain’t never think about it like that.”
“Vaughn, let’s go.”
I dapped them both and grabbed my water bottle. “I’m out.”
I caught up with Coach and followed him to the staff offices that overlooked the practice court. When we entered his, he leaned against his desk and folded his arms over his chest.
“Our first preseason game is coming up. How do you feel about hitting the court?”
I shrugged. “Shit I’m ready.”
“Good, I’m starting you for preseason. You’re finding your rhythm out there but I want to make sure you can show up for game time. If you can deliver, the spot is yours.”
“’Preciate that.”
“Don’t get too comfortable. I have no problem changing the lineup. I want a championship and that means doing whatever’s necessary.”
“Understood.”
“Aight, that’s all. Just wanted to give you a heads up.”
I nodded and left Coach’s office, heading to the locker room. As soon as I walked in, everyone was standing around waiting. Meyer was the first to speak.
“You got that spot?”
I smirked and nodded. “Yeah, he gave it to me.”
“Congratulations, nigga. Now make sure you pull your weight cause your ass is gonna have to keep up,” Kameron said and tossed a towel at me.
“We damn sure aren’t slowing the fuck down. We’re taking that shit year,” Jabari said, grabbing his bag to head to the back where we had private shower suites.
Everyone else offered their congratulations and I dug into my bag, removing my phone to see if Xiah had hit me up.
I had dinner with her family tonight and she was trying to act like shit was cool but she was stressed.
I wasn’t worried. I wasn’t on no bullshit with Xiah.
If her parents couldn’t see that, I would invest the time showing them what I was about with their daughter.
I locked my phone, realizing she had only sent reels and memes, headed straight for the shower, then dressed in practice sweats to head out. I packed my shit to wear for later because I planned on heading straight to Xiah from the arena.
When I was in my car, I hit my brother’s line to let him know I hooked him up with floor seats. I could have easily gotten him a box but he was for sure gonna wanna be courtside.
“What’s good, fam?” he greeted me as soon as I pulled out of the parking lot.
“Not shit, just wanted to let you know I put in the request for your courtside seats.”
“Yeah, I know.”
I frowned. “How the fuck you know?”
“Sovoya reached out to get my information so she could send it to them.”
My expression got tight. Last thing I needed was the two of them moving together behind the scenes. Family and business did not fucking mix.
“Fuck you mean she reached out?”
“Bruh, did I not tell you we chopped it up to get you in the jersey? How the fuck you think that happen?”
“According to you in a very public place. Why is she hitting your line? She could have just asked me. I’m the one who requested them shits.”
He laughed. “I told you I’m not fucking your agent, Kove…” he paused and I was about to tell him he better not but he added, “Yet.”
“You have enough women in rotation that you don’t need to be fucking my agent.”
“Why do you care?”
“’Cause, nigga, she literally has my entire career in her hands and you ain’t shit. When things go left I don’t want her taking your fuck ups out on me.” I smiled smugly and he laughed again.
“How do you know I’m not gonna do right?”
“When the fuck have you ever?”
He laughed again.
“See, that’s what I mean. This shit is a joke to you, Yoel.”
“Nah, it’s not. She might be the one to make me pull my life together.”
“Nigga, get the fuck off my phone.” I chuckled.
“I’m just saying, you all in love and shit. Maybe I want that too.”
“This ain’t love.”
“That’s what you’re telling yourself to keep from buying that ring?”
I smirked. “Nah we’re cool but we aren’t that. I fucks with her heavy though. That’s my baby.”
“That’s your wife, Kove. I knew that shit the first time I saw you grinning at your phone. I fucks with it though. She’s a good look and you’re about to be in a pussy oasis when you hit that court. You need somebody solid so you don’t fuck that up.”
Even if I didn’t have Xiah I wouldn’t fuck up.
You never knew how badly you wanted something until you got to experience it.
You knew what it felt like and that meant you knew what losing it would feel like.
That was currently where I was with my spot on the Royals but I also wouldn’t lie and say that wasn’t the same position I was in with Xiah.
Now that I had her, I didn’t want to lose her.
“I’m cool. You don’t have to worry about me.”
“Blood of my blood, nigga. That’s what we do.”
“For sure.”
As soon as I walked into Xiah’s apartment, I lifted her around my waist and carried her to the bedroom. When I dropped her on the bed and started removing her shorts, she grinned but didn’t stop me.
“Hello to you too.”
I spread her thighs and laid on my stomach, sliding my arms under them. “What’s good, baby? You had a good day?” I asked before I swiped my tongue down her slit.
“Oh fuck. I did. How about you?”
“Yeah my day was straight. Coach told me I’m starting in the preseason games.” I sucked her clit and pushed two fingers inside her pussy before I added, “So we’re celebrating.”
“Mhm okay so that’s what this is.” She lifted her head and grinned.
“Yeah, you have any objections?” I flattened my tongue and delivered a firm stroke then hooked my fingers enough to drive them deeper.
“No, hell no. Congratulations. I’m shit…oh shit...I’m proud of you.”
I chuckled, devouring her pussy long enough to make her come before I dug a condom out of my pocket, removed my clothes, and yanked her to the end of the bed and thrust in her with one long, deep stroke.
“Gotdamn this shit so good, Xi,” I said as soon as I was fully seated. “Might need to reschedule that dinner.”
“Absolutely not.” She circled her hips, grinding on my dick. “This is going to have to be a quick celebration.”
I chuckled and dropped my mouth to hers, sucking on her lower set of lips before I pushed my tongue into her mouth and began diving in that pussy with more intention. A quick fuck wasn’t my style but she could get that for now because I would make up for it later.
I slid in and out of Xiah, focused on the hitting angles that had her moaning and pulling me closer. When I felt her tightening around me, I reached between us and rubbed my fingers over her clit. I kept my pace slow at first but got rougher and faster the more she ground her hips on me.
Her thighs tightened at my waist and her back arched away from the mattress a few seconds before she clamped down on my dick and her body shook and trembled beneath me.
I continued fucking her with hard, deep strokes until we both came.
We showered and dressed for dinner at her parents’ house when we were done.
We pulled up to her childhood home right at seven. After I opened Xiah’s door, I moved to the back, lifting the bag I had for her mother. She retrieved the reusable grocery bag that held the cookies she made for her father.
“What’s that?”
“Wine for your mother.”
A smile blossomed on her face. “You brought wine for my mother?”
“Yeah, the night of Shining Stars you said she was at your spot cooking and drinking your shit. I got her two bottles and a gift card for a premium wine tasting and spa visit there.”
I took the bag from her and let her lead the way to the door. “And what about my dad?”
“Season tickets. He can pick box or courtside.”
“Oh so you’re going hard?”
She rang the doorbell and I smirked. “Their daughter’s pussy is top tier, figured I owed them a proper thank you for blessing me with you.”
She pointed to the doorbell. “There’s a camera on there. If they play this back…”
“They’re gonna know that I’m a man who values the good things in my life and doesn’t mind paying homage to the people who provided me with them.”
“My father would hate that and you.”