Page 31 of Personal Foul
Chapter Eleven
Sydney
“Stand up and make some noise for your Miami Blaze,” the announcer sings overhead as the lights start to dim under the darkness. The crowd cheers as flames shoot out near the basketball hoops.
“What number is he again?” my friend Kaylee asks, leaning over.
“Three!” I shout back, using my finger to point out which one he is standing in the starting lineup with the spotlight shining overhead.
“Ohhhh, giiiiiirl,” she jokes. “He sure is cute!”
“Yeah.” I laugh. “He uses it to get what he wants, too.”
He bends down, stretching his legs from side to side as he reaches his arm across his chest to loosen up. My job has its perks; we were able to get third row, near the courtside. Even from here, I can see the ropes of his muscles flex with each movement. Tattoos cover the length of his arm. The combination of his ink paired with his deep orange jersey is a huge turn-on to me.
“Don’t act like you’re not as thirsty for it as he is,” she jokes.
“And now, for the first time on the court with the Miami Blaze, from Denver, Colorado, give it up for number three, Colsonnnn Ruuuush,” rings throughout the arena.
The mention of his name at his first game in Miami sends the crowd into a frenzy.
Once they’ve finished all the team introductions, the lights turn back on, and it’s then when Colson is finally able to spot me in the crowd. He flashes me a wink. I fully expect it to go unnoticed by the rest of the crowd, but of course, nothing gets past Kaylee.
“Did you see that? He’s not even waiting until after the game is over.”
“You’re ridiculous.”
“Psh, keep downplayin’ it like I don’t see what’s going on. You’re into him just as much as he’s into you. Quit tryin’ to fool me.”
“Shh, will you be quiet?”
She scrunches her face, rolling her eyes at me as she brushes me off but doesn’t say anything else.
Tip-off starts, and from the very first second to the end of the game, Colson has a hot hand. Halfway through the third quarter, he’s already hit a triple-double, and the crowd is starting to chant his name. They are playing against New York tonight, and it appears their defense forgot to show up.
“Damn, girl, your man has earned himself some of that good lovin’ tonight for how great he’s played.”
“He’s killin’ it. I’m so happy for him. It’s his first game here, and there’s a lot of pressure, ya know?”
“I think this shows he is loving it here in Miami.” She bumps her shoulder against mine, as Jaxsen Wild knocks down another three-pointer.
She’s right. He’s playing great; honestly, the whole team is on fire. Colson set the tone for the team from the first possession, and my mind is already brewing up ideas to congratulate him on a good game.
They end the night with a score of one hundred and four to eighty-seven, with thirty-seven of the points were from Colson alone. I consider waiting for him outside of the players’ locker room but decide against it.
Heading toward the front of the arena with my mind brainstorming all the ways I could surprise him when I get an idea to swing by the fan shop and buy my own Rush jersey.
Kaylee is staring at me like the cat that ate the canary when she watches me point to the jersey with his name on it, handing over my card to make the purchase.
“Hell, he probably would’ve given you his jersey if you wanted one so bad.”
“I have an idea, and if I want to surprise him, I can’t wait for that.”
“Mmmhm.” She wags her brows at me. “I see you. I can only imagine what you plan to do to surprise him wearing his jersey. Men eat that shit up.”
I know I have a little time before he ends up coming home. The players usually shower in the locker room and get cleaned up before they leave. I’m sure he’ll have to stick around for some media interviews, too.
It’s before eleven, and I’m starting to get tired when I get a call from Antonio down in the lobby. I had let him know I was waiting on Colson and he promised he’d call me when he saw him come in.
