Page 36 of His Starr Player

It was so interesting to see him in his element. I’d seen clips and things, but I’d never gotten around to showing up for him until today. I didn’t want our relationship to be one-sided. I wanted to be his support just the same as he was for me.

“It’s the least I can do. I wish I could attend more, but my schedule is so hectic. Definitely know during the off-season, I’m pulling up to every tournament.”

The smile on his face was too adorable. He looked proud and humble at the same time. “It’s appreciated, baby. Don’t think I ain’t noticed your outfit, either.”

I looked down at the black shirt with his logo on the back. On the front, it readGamer’s girlfriend.To complete the look, I had on a pair of biker shorts and air force ones. The cross-body bag was the splash of color to the otherwise dark attire.

“Round two is about to begin,” the coordinator announced into the room. She walked away with a grin on her face.

“You’ve got this, baby. Show these mothafuckas who you are.”

“I got you, gangsta.” His smirk lit up his brown eyes. I wrapped my hands around his neck and pulled him into a deep kiss. “That one is for good luck. When you win, I’ve got a nice date night planned for you.”

“Yeah? What if I don’t win?”

“Well, that’s not happening, so don’t even put that energy out into the world. You got this. Go give them other dudes hell.” I pecked his lips and watched him move his equipment to the front stage. He and his team set up, and the game began.

The energy was high the entire forty minutes they played. It was such a fast-paced experience that the other two rounds seemed to go by in the blink of an eye. Marcus’s team had made it to the finals against another team, who was good as hell, and had advanced with a ten-point lead or more each round.

Everyone sat on the edge of their seats as the final clock wound down. Four minutes separated either team from three quarters of a million dollars. This was insane for esports. Well, to me it was insane. There were some active athletes on rosters who weren’t even making half a million as professional players. It was a sad truth.

“This is so intense,” I commented as I watched the screen with wide eyes.

“Girl, this shit gets crazy. People do not play about their games, for real. There’s so much money on the line… Not to mention this is Marcus’s first time playing a trio tournament. His portion of the prize will be huge.”

If my math was correct, that would mean a $250,000 deposit for each player. This was one of the biggest tournaments in the world, hosted right here in our hometown. It was so beautiful to see the growth in a city I’d spent my whole life in.

“I’ve got my takeover,” one of Marcus’s teammates stated.

“Run a screen and get the dub,” Marcus replied. Every few moments when I’d break my gaze from the screen, I’d peruse Marcus in his element. He was so attractive. He hunched his shoulders slightly as he held his controller in his hands. His fingers moved swiftly with each call out he and his team made. When an intense moment happened, he’d lick his lips and tuck his bottom lip between his teeth. When he was proud of a play, he’d stretch those beautiful lips out into a wide smirk and lean back in his gaming chair.

The crowd loved every moment. I enjoyed every moment. Marcus had always been front and center at my games to the ones that he could make it to. I wanted to return the favor and show him just how much I supported his career and hobbies.

The final buzzer sounded, and the score was tied. There would be a three-minute overtime round. Marcus rolled his shoulders and took a gulp of water. He and his two teammates talked briefly about a game plan. He gave them confidence to get the win. The clock started, and the whole venue was silent. Nobody wanted to make a noise to distract the teams from the task at hand. It was score for score on both teams. It was so intense I found myself holding my breath every time Marcus got the ball on the game.

“Bucket!” Marcus yelled as he shot a three-pointer. They got on defense immediately and forced the other team to follow up with two.

“That’s how you keep the lead. Make them get two points and don’t miss those easy threes,” Najah explained as she nodded her head with approval of their tactics.

“I agree. We’ve done the same shit in a real game. This is pretty cool to see. I’m so damn stressed.” My voice was low.

“Me too.”

The clock continued to tick. They were down to the last forty seconds. This could be roughly two possessions if they ran the clock properly. Marcus’s team was only up by three. They had to play their part to keep the other team away from the goal, or they could force their worst shooter onto the free-throw line.

“Green!” The other team banked a three-pointer to tie the game.

Marcus brought the ball into play and dribbled down the court.

Ten seconds.

Nine seconds.

“Don’t rush. We’ve got plenty of time,” Marcus mumbled to his team. His words were magnified because of the microphone his headset was connected to.

Eight seconds.

Seven seconds.

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