Page 70 of Game On

“We’ve asked that of him, too.” His thumb circles over my cheek. “I’m fine with him notlikingyou, liking you at least. More time for me.”

My lips pull apart. “So, do you get horny after basketball games, too? Or is it just baseball?”

His eyes flash. “I guess you’ll find out tonight, huh?”

* * *

If I didn’t needto keep my grades up for basketball, I’m pretty sure I wouldn’t bother with homework or even in-class work. Just like during tryouts, the first scrimmage day is no different. I have zero attention span for anything school related. I’m reviewing plays in my head, feet dancing all over the floor. When I leave gym, I grab my bookbag and then my duffel which has everything I need for the game and head outside to catch the bus. It’s a pretty big motor coach. I heard someone say before that the basketball team lets the baseball team use it during their summer season because of Alec. Otherwise, it’s strictly a Baller bus.

When I get on, the electricity is palpable. I walk toward the back after I spot the Ballers. There’s a spot next to Hayes that hasn’t been claimed, and it’s also the furthest away from Lake. I go to sit there, but Alec pulls me onto his lap, nipping at my earlobe.

“Just what we need, a skank on the bus,” Lake says, loud enough for everyone to hear.

A few of the other teammates look back and then snicker at the position they find Alec and I in. I’m pretty sure everyone knows what’s going on, but I try to move away from Alec because they don’t need it shoved in their face. He holds on tight, though, then whispers, “Lake’s just jealous. Don’t even pay him any attention.”

It’s a fight between my body and my mind. The last thing I want is for all my teammates to think I’m just some whore to the Ballers. That won’t earn me any respect. Though, the way I practice and play should make them think otherwise. However, I know people always go for the low-hanging fruit. Just like everyone had no problem thinking I only got the accolades I did because my dad is Timothy Dale. Now, the story will be that I only made the team because I’m fucking four out of the five ballers even though none of that is true.

I try to leave again, but Alec holds tighter. “Don’t, baby. I’ve missed you, and I don’t like that we fought earlier. It’s nothing.”

I close my eyes. It’s easy to get lost in his big arms. I let him curve his body around mine, and I sink into him.

Heavy steps make their way onto the bus. “Dale, get off Christopoulos.”

I scramble away from Alec at Coach’s words. My cheeks burn as I stand. Lake says, “Never thought we’d have to hear that on a team bus.”

“Fuck you,” I grind out.

Some of the other teammates’ heads whip around. I swallow hard. I shouldn’t have let him get to me, but what the fuck?

Hayes taps his fingers against the seat next to him. I hurry up and take it, holding my breath. Up front, Coach sighs. “Great way to start the season. Excellent work, everyone. I’m so glad you guys took all those notes about acting like a team to heart.”

Fire races through me. I really shouldn’t have said anything. All Lake has to say is that he was just messing around, and then I’m the one that looks like a bitch. I don’t dare look up or even utter a word the rest of the ride there. The whole time, the other Ballers are talking about the game, strategy, wondering how easy Broadwell Academy’s going to be this year. Hayes and I are the only ones who don’t say anything. Instead of feeling hyped for my first game, there’s a pit of dread in my stomach. Hayes being right there is a comfort though. It’s easy to be with him and not talk. Though, I find myself thinking if what Alec said was true. Could Hayes like me like the others? I look at him, trying to figure him out, but he spends all his time staring out the window.

We pull into the parking lot of Broadwell Academy, and I chance a glance out the window past Hayes. The school is almost gothic looking from the outside, but inside, it has all the modern amenities, including a state-of-the-art gym. Sure, it’s not as nice as RHS’s court, but Broadwell isn’t focused on sports, their focus is on academics. Their wealthy benefactors give money to the labs, technology, visiting instructors, not the sports team. Obviously. This is why I’m here in the first place.

“What the hell?” Ryan says.

A few of the other guys make surprised noises. Even Hayes turns his head to stare out the window, so I follow his gaze. As soon as I see what’s caught their attention, I can’t keep from smiling. I stand right where I’m at and hover over Hayes to wave.

“Who are they?” the steady, sure voice of Hayes Irving asks.

I look down at him. “Those are my old teammates.”

“What a bunch of dogs,” Lake quips. “They may be rich, but that’s the only thing going for them.”

I bite my tongue and ignore him. Some of those girls are twice the person Lake will ever be.

Coach stands when the bus stops. “We weren’t expected to be greeted by the Dale Fan Club.”

He’s just teasing, but I see the tensions in the other guys’ shoulders. “They’re just my old teammates,” I say a little louder so everyone can hear. The fact that they did this is so nice. They came to cheer me on even though I’m playing against their team.

The bus door opens, and Coach gestures toward it. “Be quick about it, Dale.”

I start forward, but my foot catches on something. I stumble, only just barely catching myself on the seats in front of me. I could have gone down hard. I look back, but don’t see anything. There was definitely something there. I didn’t trip over thin air.

I shake my head, a few of the guys ask me if I’m alright. I smile and then hurry off the bus and am greeted by the biggest smiles. The girls are ecstatic that I made the team, but even more so that I made the boys’ team. I get big hugs all the way around and then Coach tells me we need to hurry up. The girls tell me they’ll see me in there, so I follow the rest of the guys through the back entrance to the locker room. Coach hangs back and says, “I asked them to open the girls’ locker room, too. Just go through the court to the ladies’ locker room on the other side. Keep your phone on you. I’ll have Ryan text you when we’re ready to bring you in.”

I nod slowly. This will be a lot different than what I’m used to. Getting changed alone and then having to wait to be called on to hear the pre-game talk. It obviously can’t be any other way. I guess I just didn’t think it through to actual games.

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