Chapter 27
Preston
“Motherfu—” Shaw said before he slapped a palm to the floor of the gym.
He just got nailed in the kidney by Sherman, a five-foot-five gamer who weighed eighty pounds soaking wet.
“You’re out, Calloway,” the ref shouted after he blew his whistle.
Shaw shuffled off the court, taking his seat next to Theo, who was the first one out. That left me, Wesley, and Trinity.
“Duck!” Trinity’s warning had me reacting on instinct.
One of her hands landed on my back while she fired a ball over my hunched frame, nailing Sherman right in the leg.
“Out!” The ref held up a fist.
“Hell yeah!” Shaw hollered.
I glanced at Trinity as she stepped around me. “I’m impressed.”
“Keep up, old man,” she mused before she darted to the other side of the court.
Balls flew through the air with fury, and I was mesmerized by how naturally athletic Trinity was. I guess you would have to retain some form of athleticism to be interested in a sports-related field. She was quick on her feet and threw a pretty wicked curveball.
Three more minutes into the game, the only Scorpions remaining were Gregory and Sledgehammer. Sledgehammer is his legal birth name, I shit you not.
“Sledge is the weaker link. Let’s double team.” Wesley crouched beside me like a lion strategically calculating how to pounce on his prey.
Which was hilarious, considering Gregory and Sledge could literally see every move he made. There was no surprise element.
“All right.” I shuffled to the right. “I’ll go for his ankles. You hit the torso when he jumps.”
Wesley rolled his shoulders back, his gold chain proud over his T-shirt. For someone so competitive, he always made sure he still looked good.
“Go,” Wesley called when we broke apart.
As I craned my arm, I heard a muffled shriek behind me. I glanced back to see Trinity trip over a loose ball, her ankle rolling as she went down.
“Trini—” The word was barely out of my mouth when a ball was cannoned from the other side, nailing her right in the side of the face.
The sting of the ball that connected against her skin with an audible pop had me dropping my own ball. Rage simmered beneath my skin as I heard Gregory laughing in celebration.
He hit her on purpose.
“You okay, Trinity?” Shaw was on his feet, a concerned look on his face. “If she gets hurt, Rodney will kill us.”
I dropped to a knee, tilting her chin to my face. “Look at me.”
The angry red welt had me grinding my molars. That motherfucker.
No one hurts her. No one.
Jumping to my feet, I spun around, the anger so alive there was no way I could stop it. He was known for cheap shots, but this was plain uncalled for. The fact he chose my girl was very unfortunate for him.
My girl?
I tabled the thought for later. Right now, I was going to wipe that smug grin off his face.
“You son of a bitch,” I gritted out as I crossed the boundary line.
“Come on, man, it was an accident.” He shrugged, his tone light.
“Fuck you, Akin,” I hissed as I grabbed at his T-shirt.
“Preston.” Theo’s deep voice appeared at my back, his large palm clasping over my shoulder.
I ignored him, shoving Gregory back. I lunged again, but the big bastard behind me hooked both arms up under mine, yanking me against him before he hauled me back to our side.
“Looks like you might get disqualified, Rusk.” Gregory cackled. “You crossed the line.”
“Chill out. He’s not worth it and you’re scaring her,” Theo said low in my ear.
I shifted away when his grip eased, my skin hot as I glanced back at Trinity. She was standing now, her eyes wide.
I immediately went to her.
“Preston, I’m fine.” She shook her head. “Leave it.”
“But…”
“I said leave it.” She narrowed her eyes before they shifted behind my shoulder.
With poised grace, she took two steps forward and scooped up a lone ball.
I watched in awe as she casually walked to the line, then fired a pass directly at Gregory, who was still reliving his ill-earned glory.
The red ball hit him square in the dick, and he howled, groaning in agony as he dropped to his knees.
“Oh my gosh!” She brought her hands up to her face. “That was an accident. It slipped!”
Tears pricked his eyes, and Trinity turned to me with a subtle wink.
A piercing whistle sounded through the gym, the ref waving his arms as he walked onto the court. “That’s it. You.” He pointed to Gregory. “You’re out. Illegal throw. You.” He pointed to me. “Out. Crossing the boundary.” Then he gave Trinity a regretful look.
“Yeah, yeah. I know. I’m out.” She held her palms up with a smile.
“Rules are rules,” he stated before he leaned in close. “But that was epic. He deserved it.”
She chuckled, waltzing off the court to sit on the bench next to Theo.
“Last two in. Wesley and Sledge. Let’s go.” The ref blew his whistle again.
Wesley went back to the court, while I ambled to the sideline.
Sherman stood at the corner of the opposing bench, his eyes twinkling at Trinity. “I think I’m in love.”
You and me both, buddy.