The cheerleaders come out to center court and do their thing as Slade’s team takes a quick, well-deserved break. They’re up by six and it’s been an intense game. The opposition is fighting hard. Every time my boys get the ball through the hoop, the other team is quick to challenge them and win back a few points.
The next two quarters are going to be tough, but I know Slade and his team will pull through. They always do. They earned their reputation for being the best and prove it every time they step out onto the court.
Damian and Blake fall into a conversation about the players as I glance over at my best friend sitting beside Blake with his fingers laced through hers. Luce’s hand rests on her precious little baby bump as she stares down the man walking up and down the stands with soda, boxes of popcorn, and hotdogs.
This whole baby bump thing was a bit of a surprise and came from an accidental, drunk one-night stand. Ever since Luce found out that she was pregnant, the two of them have been inseparable, and honestly, I kind of like it.
They’re perfect together. At eighteen, I never would have admitted that, but now, it’s everything the two of them need. They’re going to be great parents. I can’t wait to corrupt this child with all my devilish ways and laugh as I watch Blake trying to deal with it.
His life has been just as crazy as I knew it would be.
Just as he always dreamed, Blake was signed to the NBA. It just so happens to be for the team which is one of Slade’s biggest competitors. Shit has been intense over the last few months between the two of them, their teams went head to head a few weeks ago and unfortunately for Blake, Slade came out with the bragging rights.
Nessa’s high-pitched laughter erupts and I shoot my gaze over to her to see her looking up at the jumbo screen.
A smile tears across my face.
The kiss cam.
God, I love that thing. I’ve been caught on it far too many times at Blake’s games when I’m sitting in the stands with Slade. He always puts on a show for the cameras and the crowds love it, but today, it’s not me on display. It’s Blake and Damian.
The two of them have finally realized that they can’t live without each other and have built an indestructible bromance. It’s irritating as all hell.
Damian’s eyes light up like the fourth of July as Blake looks horrified, knowing the guy beside him far too well. Damian starts leaning in and throwing caution to the wind, Blake shrugs it off and goes for it.
I gawk in horror.
Their lips crush together as Damian’s eyes fly open. He hadn’t expected Blake to play along but the crowds are cheering for them so they give it a second longer.
Slade stares at the screen looking like he’s about to race up here and kick both of their asses. I mean, this is maybe taking the bromance too far. I haven’t had enough to drink to be dealing with this.
The guys break apart with a laugh as Nessa, Luce, and I stare with our mouths dropped open. Damian licks his lips, batts his eyelashes, and gives Blake a seductive little pout. “I knew you were always into me.”
Blake bounces his brows, playing into Damian’s little game. “Wait till you see what else this mouth can do.”
Okay…and now I need another drink.
I hop up and start making my way down to the court as I consider my options. I could find the bar which the rest of the stadium is queuing at or I could walk an extra two minutes to the VIP bar for the players and their guests. It’s bound to be practically empty.
There’s hardly a decision to make.
I get to the bottom and start heading for the VIP area. We have a box that we sometimes use that has its own personal bar staff, but for games like this, we like to be in with the action and able to smell the sweat. Well, at least Nessa likes to smell the sweat. She’s batshit crazy like that.
I cross past Slade with his team and I hardly get three steps past them when they all stand and start crowding me. I scrunch my face up and groan. The whole team is a bunch of shit stirrers. They laugh and chant my name, huddling me within their big bodies and making it impossible to get free.
The stands of people laugh and cheer, loving to watch their favorite team enjoying themselves. I’m smooshed between them and before I know it, we’re in the middle of the court, and the cheerleaders are gone.
The lights of the arena cut while a spotlight is shone down on me. The boys begin to step away, creating a circle around me.