Chapter 13
NOVA
The first preseason game is full of energy and promise. Signs and pennants draped around the stadium proclaim "KODIAK NATION!" in huge caps. The stadium is packed with fans, plenty of whom are wearing purple-and-gold team jerseys or shirts with the words "BEAR FORCE" printed across them.
“What’s Bear Force?” I call to Brooke as we make our way into a box in one corner of the stadium.
“That’s what the team’s superfans call themselves.”
“It looks sold out.”
“Yup. The entire city wants to see if your boy’s gonna give us a comeback year.”
“He’s not mine,” I say as we take our seats.
“Right, you go around drawing random guys like you want to bang them.” She shoots me a look.
Well, I guess that answers whether she knew the sketch was Clay.
“Has he seen your outfit?” Brooke gestures to my jersey.
I glance down at the one Miles gave me. “What? It says 'Kodiaks.'”
She laughs silently, but I don’t get the joke.
Since I played with her and the guys, I’ve been busy helping with the wedding.
One of the hotels hosting visitors double-booked, so I called around to find a bed and breakfast for some out-of-town guests.
We also finalized the invitation list for the bachelorette, which we’re hoping to hold at the Four Seasons Spa.
The florist called and said it wasn’t looking good for importing the exotic roses Mari insisted she wanted, but we can figure that out tomorrow.
“It was fun to play basketball with you guys. Nice of Clay to be patient with me.”
Brooke sweeps her hair over her shoulder, brows arching. “I’ve known Clay for years. He’s a lot of things. Grouchy. Unyielding. Un-fucking-believable on the court. Nice isn’t one of them.”
A little thrill chases up my spine.
So yeah, when I think about Clay, I get hot.
Maybe more than hot.
He’s got issues of his own, but hearing him talk about his work with the charity made me realize there’s more to him than the media makes out.
In the past couple of days, we’ve been texting here and there. He says he’s keeping me out of trouble. I say I’m trying to make sure he gets his laugh a day whether he wants it or not.
But I’m excited to see him in person, even if it’s from a distance. I can’t wait to watch him tear up the court, and when Brooke asked if I was planning to go, it was an easy yes.
We’re here a few minutes before tip-off. Apparently, Harlan watches all the games from downstairs, but Mari and Chloe said they’d meet us later for drinks.
The place is already buzzing, and Brooke’s words dial up my excitement another notch.
I texted an hour ago to wish Clay luck but didn’t hear back. He’s probably in some pregame routine.
Now, the lights go dark, and the crowd erupts before they come up again. Players are announced one at a time, the opposing team’s so unceremoniously it seems unfair and the Kodiaks' with the utmost enthusiasm.
Rookie.
Atlas.
Miles.
Jayden.
Clay.
When he’s introduced, the building shakes.
I’ve seen him in his jersey in press images and online, but this feels different.
When I scan the crowd, there are hundreds of people wearing his jersey. Possibly thousands.
Wow.
I knew he was a star. But here, he’s a god.
“You watch any basketball before?” Brooke asks.
I shake my head. “No.”
The basketball goes up in the middle of the court, and both teams swat at it.
From then on, she explains what I’m seeing.
It’s five-on-five. Each player has a position, frontcourt or backcourt, but they help each other out as needed over the forty-eight minutes.
“Some of the guys are fast and nimble, able to cut and shoot from distance, like Jay,” Brooke goes on. “Others are huge, tall enough to grab a ball off the rim, wide enough to block offensive players, like Atlas.
“Then there’s Clay, who’s got both—height and strength, plus the moves to score from anywhere he wants.”
But when she starts talking about schemes and coverages, I shake my head.
“You’re not remembering this, are you?” she asks dryly.
“You had me up to fouls,” I say truthfully.
“There are three more preseason games. We’ll go over the rest next time.”
Next time.
Thinking that there will be another game, another chance to experience this atmosphere, makes my heart swell with joy.
I settle back into watching the team, who has a few miscommunications but eventually manages to pull off a dazzling passing play that has Jayden finding Clay for an emphatic dunk—the crowd around us erupts in celebration.
I’m on my feet, too, screaming.
By the end of the first half, the Kodiaks are ahead by ten.
When the clock runs out, they win by eighteen.
The arena is deafening, and my chest feels like it’s going to burst from the thrill of it.
“What happens now?” I ask, still feeling the adrenaline rush that comes with a win as the arena starts to drain of its delirious fans.
“Coach and a couple players will have media.” Brooke's eyes sparkle with excitement. “We can pop in and say congratulations.”
She leads me back down through the narrow corridors, the walls pulsing with the energy of the crowd still lingering, and past security, who lets her around a corner and into a doorless room with a knowing nod.
“Wait, are we in the…” I trail off before saying, "Dressing room."
Brooke holds her hand over her eyes like a shield to protect herself from what she might see inside. “Is my brother naked in here?”
“I’m supposed to assess that?” But I look around and see a few faces I don't recognize amongst the sweaty sports gear that fills the air with its musky scent. “Nope, you’re safe.”
Brooke drops her hand as Miles rolls up wearing only a white towel that hugs tightly against his toned body, his hair damp and slicked back.
“The women’s changing room is… Scratch that, we don’t have one. Nice jersey, Nova.”
“Thanks. You guys played great,” I say, my voice full of admiration.
“Appreciate that.” His smile is wide and genuine.
Brooke rolls her eyes. “My brother around? Or Clay?”
“Still at media.” Miles is handsome in a roguishly charming way, like you’d have no hope of checking him out without being caught.
But as much as he’s objectively hot, a spark of arousal doesn’t rise within me like it does when I’m around Clay.
“You seen Waffles?” Miles asks, and Brooke and I shake our heads in unison. “His new dog sitter is supposed to be around. He’s been going through ‘em like crazy.”
We head out and turn the corner to find Jayden and Clay in the hall. Brooke throws her arms around her brother in delight. “You survived!”
“Hope I did you proud.” He smiles warmly at his sister before turning to me.
I focus on Clay, who looks breathtakingly sexy in a dark hoodie, his damp hair curling around his ears. Like he just stepped out of the shower after slaying a dragon. I suppose to the fans, it’s true.
His gaze is so intense that I have to force myself to hold it.
“Hi,” I say.
“You came.” His attention flicks briefly to my jersey, then back to my face.
“Yeah. Congrats on the win.”
“Thanks.”
But Clay’s expression is unreadable now, shuttered and guarded as if I'm some stranger he just met instead of the woman he kissed in his car and has been texting ever since.
“I’ll see you around.”
Heart pounding in my chest, I watch him walk down the hall past Brooke and Jayden, who’re still talking animatedly.
I’m left feeling crushed and rejected, like he stomped on me with his massive shoe for no reason at all.