“She’s a star with or without her father’s legacy. She should have the grace to have moments like this, especially if she feels it deep in her heart. Let’s not forget she brought the Vipers to not one, not two, butthreechampionships.”
They played her highlight reel as they continued to discuss Ava’s stats. I tuned out the rest of the show while I went insearch of the necklace. I prayed it was in the house and not in the mud from yesterday. The path was long, and I didn’t want to have to search for such a small item in a sea of mud and dirt.
“I should find it while I’m cleaning.”
The living room and kitchen were cleaned, and no necklace was found. I checked the bathrooms. After throwing the dirty towels into the basket, I searched the shower, sink, and tub. The bathroom was clean and no necklace in sight.
I went into the bedroom and chuckled at the mess. We went crazy as hell in the bedroom, so I searched high and low. Lo and behold, the necklace was underneath the bed near the nightstand. I picked it up and examined it. The clasp was still intact, and I was grateful there was no damage to her good luck charm.
I stuffed it in my pocket and finished gathering our things. I loaded the car up and made my way back into town toward the arena. Traffic was ass, but my car had an all-access pass, thanks to my sister. I parked in the staff parking lot and hopped out. I jogged to the locker room.
“Players only,” a security guard stated.
I shook my head and called my sister.
“Hello?”
“Let me in the locker room. I forgot my pass in the car, but I have Ava’s necklace.”
“Oh, praise God.”
She hung up without another word. A few seconds later, she peeked her head out of the locker room. “He’s cool.”
The security guard nodded and moved out the way. I walked in and kept my eyes low in case any of the women were getting undressed.
“Don’t worry. Everybody has their clothes on,” Nay stated.
I nodded and lifted my head up to see Ava with her head low as she tapped her foot on the floor like the Energizer Bunny.
“Hey, you.”
She looked up at the sound of my voice. She stood up and poked out her bottom lip. “Marcus.”
“I know, baby. You’re the most trending topic this month. A million posts and videos about the situation.”
She shook her head. “I don’t care about any of that shit. I just want my necklace back.”
“I know. Close your eyes for me.”
“What?” She gazed at me with curiosity dancing in her brown eyes.
“Close your eyes.”
“Why?”
I didn’t say anything. I just gave her a look that said not to ask any more questions. She pouted her lip but closed her eyes. I dug into my pocket and pulled out the necklace. I walked around her and placed the necklace around her neck and clasped it in the second loop.
“Open your eyes.” I whispered in her ear.
Her lids lifted, and she placed her hand on her chest where the heart rested against her jersey. She turned and looked at me with watery eyes.
“Y-you found it.”
“It must have fallen off during one of our rowdy rounds.”
She giggled. “You’re the best.”
“I know.” I smirked.