Page 63 of Strong Side

I watch as South Carolina sets up for a line drive, but Rocky and I know what’s coming. They’ve been doing it all game. As their player jumps up for an outside hit, Rocky readies himself tight against the right side of our net.

And just like I knew they would, instead of hitting line, they power tip right at Rocky.

“Five, five, five!” he says, just loud enough for me to hear him. In the span of two seconds, he’s quickly setting to the middle, as I’m already mid-approach. And just as the ball crests the net, I make contact with the palm of my hand, sending it into the wide-open back corner of South Carolina’s court.

The ball hits the sand, the whistle blows, and the crowd roars.

We won.

We’re going to the championships.

Mine and Rocky’s eyes connect, both simultaneously realizing what just happened. After everything thathappened this year, after where we started, after defying all odds, the two of us are going to the NCAA championship.

In perfect unison, we take two quick strides toward one another. Not caring that anyone else is around, not caring about shaking hands with our opponents, not caring about what we should or shouldn’t do or what people in the stands might think about two men kissing—we wrap our arms around one another and crash our lips together. I faintly hear the crowd silence for a moment before erupting in a roar of screams and applause.

But I don’t give a fuck about any of that right now. All I care about is him. The man I love. My partner. My teammate.

Myeverything.

1. Nonsense - Sabrina Carpenter

41

Do Not Disturb

Rockwell

We just won the Semifinals.

I have Clay in my arms, and our lips are crushed together in the middle of the court. I hear the telltale sound of cameras shuttering as they take pictures of the two of us and wolf whistles coming from what feels like the whole crowd. Lil’s voice booms through the commotion, “Get a room, you two!”

I pull away from him slightly to look into his dark brown eyes. Tears pool as he hits me with his signature beaming smile, dimples and all. “We did it! We’re going to the finals!”

The words have barely left my mouth when he grabs the sides of my face, popping two more quick kisses on my lips. Far sooner than I like, he’s pulling away and dragging me behind him toward the net to shake South Carolina’s hands. They played a hell of a game, but we pushed harder. We played harder. And now there’s only one game left.

Arizona State has had a similar run, their only advantage being that those two have played together for four years. Be that as it may, with the way Clay and I connect out on that sand, there’s no way to tell we only became partners mere months ago.

The reporters on the sidelines are calling our names, and for the first time all season I can genuinely say I’m eager to talk to them, so I head over, leaving Clay up by the net as he chats with our opponents.

I stop at one of the reporters I’m familiar with, and she smiles ear to ear as she excitedly holds the microphone out toward me. “Rockwell, after everything that happened at the start of this season with your former partner, did you see yourself getting to the finals?”

1??“This year has been nothing short of amazing. And as far as my old partner goes… I wish it wouldn’thave been for the reason it was, but I’m so thankful the universe put Clay and I together on the court.” I look over my shoulder at Clay, who’s now made his way over to the photographers, but he must feel my eyes on him because he smiles over at me, and I can practically feel my heart swell in my chest.

Fuck, I love him so much.

“Oh. My. God. You two are precious,” she squeals in excitement. “I told myself I wouldn’t pressure you into talking about the kiss, but the look in both of your eyes just now…” she trails off as she places her hand over her heart in dramatic fashion.

I’m still looking at him, unable and unwilling to pull my eyes away. “Clayton Aldrich is my partner in every aspect. He is the kindest human I’ve ever met, one of the best players I’ve seen, and the light that illuminates from him is truly magical to get to experience firsthand.” I look back at her, and she has tears running down her face. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to upset you…”

She waves her hand at me as she sniffles. “Back to volleyball before I’m a sobbing mess… What are the plans for the championship game against Arizona State?” Just as I’m about to answer I feel Clay brush up against my arm.

Looking way too mischievous for my liking, Clay wraps his arm around me and pops a kiss on my cheekbefore rambling to the reporter as if she askedhimthe question. “My boyfriend and I plan to keep that championship trophy here at Palm University, where it belongs.”

I’m listening to him talk in pure awe. He has that boyish excitement that takes over when he’s talking about something he loves, and it’s something I don’t think I’ll ever tire of seeing. “Now, if there aren’t any more questions, I would like to go celebrate with my Rock Man.”

I roll my eyes and elbow him in the ribs. “Don’t call me Rock Man.”

Clay chuckles. “Hard limit. Got it.” Then he leans down to whisper in my ear, ensuring no one else can hear what he’s about to say, “However, I distinctly remember you once said that about me calling you Baby. Now you love it… hell, you’ve even begged for it.”

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