Chapter 11
CLAY
“First preseason game is in two days. Set your feet on defence, look for your teammates, and let’s get a win,” Coach hollers after blowing the whistle.
Rookie takes his shots and makes them. The other guys cheer him on, and he grins.
I step up and do the same.
I’ve been doubling up on my gym time, plus ice baths every night, since I got back.
Recovery’s a bitch, and I’m bending over.
I feel the anticipation heading into the preseason. Even if my future is up in the air, the competitive drive is kicking in.
After practice, Coach gathers us around. “We’re seeing some good progress individually, but we won’t know how that stacks up until we start playing games. Now, I hope you gentlemen have been practicing your singing.”
“Singing?” Rookie looks around.
Jayden laughs. “It’s a preseason tradition.”
Groans go up, but everyone starts singing the team’s unofficial anthem.
I snort as eyes land on me.
“You avoided it last year by being new. Now you’re a vet,” Jay chides.
“I can’t interrupt your masterpiece,” I toss back.
Coach’s eyes land on me. “You got a problem, Wade?”
I wasn’t looking to pick a fight today.
Or maybe I am.
I’m on edge today, have been all week.
“Singing doesn’t help us win basketball games.”
“It does around here.”
We stare each other down.
Normally, I don’t have a problem with Coach, but I don’t have time for dumb traditions when I’m doing everything in my power to be the guy who can win basketball games again.
“Clay.” Chloe’s standing along the sidelines, a tablet in her hand. “Harlan wants a word.”
“Only one?” I towel off and head that way. But the truth is, I’m relieved by the interruption.
Harlan’s lurking in the hallway, arms folded. “Media is still questioning your knee.”
“It’s their job to ask questions. We both know that.”
“You’re a half step slow on defense. When was the last time you had it looked at?”
“Recently. Why? You think you can take me?”
He sighs. “My job is to understand everything about this team so we have the pieces in place to win. None of us can predict the future, but I do expect your cooperation and transparency.”
“Transparency?” I echo.
I learned early I have to look out for my own problems because no one will do it for me.
His face tightens, and I know he’s thinking of the same thing I am.
“What happened back in college was for the best,” he says, but there’s an edge of uncertainty.
“For you, maybe. I’m gonna have the back of every guy in a Kodiak jersey because they deserve it, and I’m not a guy who holds back his teammates. But you’ll understand why transparency isn’t something I owe you in this lifetime.” I turn and head back to the court.
Chloe’s still there, and I can’t resist lashing out. “Wouldn’t you rather sit in Jay’s lap?”
She flips me off. “Mari’s sister is on her way over. At least pretend you’re capable of not being an asshole for a moment for Nova’s sake.”
I straighten.
After the other night at Red Rocks, I was amped. Especially when Nova looked up at me in the car like all she wanted was for me to touch her.
When she kissed me, I tried to resist, but she caught me with my guard down.
If Nova had stripped in the car, or offered to blow me, or any number of other moves, I would’ve been able to push her away.
Instead, she brushed her sweet mouth over mine, and I found myself wanting her more than anything.
So, I kissed her back. She felt so damned good, her body soft and inviting against mine. I wanted to slide my hands under her clothes and find out what other secrets she’s hiding. Wanted to kiss her until she wore me like an invisible brand.
But my only priority is basketball. It can’t happen again. That’s why I pulled back when all I wanted was to keep going.
Then why did I offer to help?
Because she’s had a hard time. I don’t like seeing people kicked when they’re down.
I can have her back and spend time around her without degenerating into a caveman. I’ll prove it today.
After practice wraps and Coach dismisses us, I look up to see Nova standing next to Chloe on the sidelines.
She’s wearing a denim jacket over a black T-shirt, plus leggings that hug every curve. Her pink hair falls straight to her shoulders. When our eyes meet, I can tell she’s been watching me a minute.
The world gets brighter.
“Hey,” she says, sounding out of breath. Her lips are full and parted, and now I’m thinking of how sweet she tasted the other night.
I cross to her, stopping close enough that she has to tilt her head to hold my eyes.
I’m still angry, but the sight of her softens my edges.
“You run here?” I ask.
A delicate snort. “No.”
“Whatever you say, Kodashian.”
Her mouth falls open. “I’m not your groupie.”
“It kind of looks like you are.”
“Hey, Nova!”
Miles bounds over, parking himself next to her.
She smiles at him. “Hey, Miles.”
“What are you doing here?”
“I wanted to ask Clay a few questions about the Kodiaks charity.”
“Dude doesn’t know shit about charity. I, on the other hand, donate plenty.”
“Miles,” I say, an edge in my voice.
“Wow. Sounds like I get two basketballers for the price of one.” She looks between us with delight. “Why don’t I come see you after I’m done with Clay?”
My hand tightens into a fist at my side.
“Yeah, all right. Lemme know when you’re sick of this guy.” He grins and bounds off toward Jay and Chloe.
I lean close to her ear. “You won’t need anyone else when I’m done with you.”
She stares up at me. “That a fact?”
“I’m twice the man he is.”
Her expression is innocent and smug at once. “We’ll see.”
My dick twitches in my shorts.
I was bracing myself for the sweet, vulnerable Nova of the other night.
Teasing, sassy Nova is a whole new problem.
I nod to Miles without breaking eye contact with her. “Get us a ball.”
He does, and I motion her over to the court.
“I’m not athletic,” she warns.
“'Athletic' is inclusive by definition. I got kids at that camp who use a wheelchair, and they’re plenty athletic.”
Her eyes light up. “What else can you tell me about the charity?”
I watch her slide an elastic off her wrist and carefully pull back her hair.
My gaze lingers there a moment as I imagine holding her hair back with my hands.
“I play with the kids,” I say. “I went this summer during off-season. It’s a great facility, fresh air. You’d like it.”
“Maybe I’ll have to visit.” She looks around the court. “This what you do—teach people to play?”
“You’re the only one over age twelve.”
“So, I’m special.” She preens.
“Apparently.”
If she had the first idea how much she affects me, it’d be game over. For both of us.
I start to dribble the ball, but she’s watching me.
“It doesn’t say that in your profile. Maybe people would cut you more slack about being difficult if they knew.”
“Maybe I don’t give a shit if people cut me slack or not.”
I pass to her and motion for her to dribble like I did.
Her brows pull together as though she’s not letting me get away with that answer. But finally, she relents and starts to move with the basketball.
“Like this?”
“Yeah. Now look up. At me, not the ball.”
Nova does and immediately dribbles onto her foot.
“Oh crap.”
I retrieve the ball easily with one outstretched hand and pass it back.
“You kids need more players. That isn’t a three-on-three,” Jayden calls from the side.
Brooke’s in one of the seats, legs crossed and flashing red-soled heels. “I’m not dressed for this.”
“Right, excuses to avoid getting your ass kicked,” Jay replies. “Girls can’t beat boys.”
“That’s it. You’re going down.” She lunges toward her brother, trying to get him in a headlock and failing.
Chloe’s already stepping out of her shoes and shrugging her jacket onto a chair.
Miles hollers, “Hell yeah.”
I grin.
Two minutes later, the six of us are playing.
Jay, Miles, and I are still sweaty from practice, our jerseys stuck to our bodies.
Chloe brings it up the court, her shoes discarded out of bounds. Jay’s watching her, but she’s watching all of us at once. He says something to distract her, and she shakes him off.
Miles is on Brooke. She feints one way, then cuts to get a pass from Chloe.
“Suckers,” Brooke crows.
“Crossovers in a skirt!” Chloe calls.
Brooke grins as she takes Miles deep into the paint.
He’s got his hands full.
“They’re good,” Nova murmurs.
I’m inches away. Because I’m guarding her, I have an excuse to get even closer.
“Chloe was MVP and state champion in high school. Brooke's played since she was six because her brother made her. She’s still one of the only people who can guard him because she knows what he’s thinking before he does. ”
“Everyone in the league gives him too much credit. He doesn’t think at all,” Brooke tosses.
“That’s cold, sis,” Jay calls from where he’s on Chloe.
Brooke squares up toward Nova, nodding. I let Nova get the ball. She dribbles around me. When she turns to shoot it, she’s not set up. No way it’s going in.
I reach around her and grab the ball with one hand. I could take it without touching her, but I wrap the other arm around her shoulders and drag her back against my body.
“FOUL!!” Chloe and Brooke holler.
“No way,” Miles protests while Jay’s cracking up.
Now I’ve got the ball, and Nova’s pulled tight against me.
“What happens now?” she murmurs, her voice full of anticipation. Her body vibrates against mine, and all I want to do is hold her there.
But I can’t, because it’s wrong, and I promised I wouldn’t. Not to mention how hard I’d get roasted by everyone present.
So, I pull her to the line opposite the basket.
“This is the free throw line.”
“You get it in from here?” she wonders.
I smirk and set her up one step at a time. She takes a deep breath and lobs the ball, missing by a mile.
With a couple of steps, I intercept the ball and grab it out of the air before it can hit the ground. It’s in her hands the next second. “This time, use your legs.”
“She’s five-five!” Chloe contends, shoving Jay’s shoulder. “Let her shoot from closer.”
“She doesn’t need to,” I toss back, confident in her ability. “Do you, Pink?”
She sets her teeth, shakes her head.
“That’s it. Bend your knees. Power comes from your lower body. Trust me.” I step behind her again and run my hand down her side, skimming over her curved ass to her thighs as a reminder of what she can do. “Lower, like this.”
The next throw swooshes through the hoop like it’s powered by invisible angels.
“Yes!” Nova exclaims, pumping her fists in the air.
I barely have time to process my satisfaction before she throws her arms around me in a celebratory hug.
I should resist.
Instead, I wrap my arms around her and return the hug, every soft curve of her body lining up against mine.
It feels good, holding her. Better than anything I’ve felt in a long time.
We’re not skin to skin but her heart hammers against mine, her warmth making me wonder how much is from the exercise and how much is from our proximity.
When I set her back down on steady feet, our faces are close—as close as they can be considering I'm a foot taller anyway.
“That was incredible,” she murmurs, her bright eyes so stunningly blue I could drown in them.
She’s not for me.
But with each smile, I believe it less.
I take a moment to soak her in and revel in our victory before turning away.
See? I can keep it together. Don’t need to grope her or kiss her or imagine what it would be like to hear her whisper, “That was incredible,” when I’m done fucking her senseless.
“Nova, you’re almost as good at basketball as you are at drawing,” Brooke comments.
The flush that crawls up her cheeks is from more than exertion.
My curiosity is piqued. “Drawing? What do you draw?”
“All kinds of things.”
Interesting.
“I’ll take a shot from anywhere in this half of the court. With my eyes closed. I make this shot, you show me everything,” I say.
Her face screws up. “From anywhere?”
I nod.
She positions me just shy of half court.
I size up the basket, then square my feet.
Everyone’s watching.
I shut my eyes and take a breath before sending the ball up.
I don’t need the hollers that erupt to know it went in.