Page 3 of The Transfer
TWO
RIGGS
As I cross the baseline for the final sprint of our workout, my legs almost give out. I’m not the fastest on the team, but it’s my senior year at a new school, and I have something to prove. I want everyone to know that I belong, and I earned a spot on this squad, even if my uncle is the coach.
Most players wouldn’t want to start over as a senior, but most people aren’t facing a ticking time bomb like I am. Before I can fall downthatrabbit hole, I hear my teammate Jordan Mills say something to me.
“Dude, you’re killing it out there. Making the rest of us look out of shape.”
I chuckle and shake my head. “Nah, man, just a good day.”
“Not good enough,” replies Carter Smith with a cocky grin. He’s the fastest player on the team by far and the most athletic. I’ve known Carter since we were kids playing travel ball. He is one of the reasons I felt comfortable coming over to Carolina Tech. Hopefully, our chemistry from our travel basketball days transfers to the court here.
“Alright, fellas, let’s hit the showers,” Jordan shouts, and the team breathes a sigh of relief. Jordan is the team captain and runs theseoffseason sessions since the coach technically can't. The governing rules for college basketball don’t allow for official workouts with coaches in the offseason. However, if a player runs them, we can have them.
While the rest of my teammates head to the locker room, I grab a ball and my playbook from a chair on the baseline. I reach center court and quickly review each of the new plays that Coach wants to implement this year. As a point guard, my position on the team requires me to start each possession we have with the ball. Running our offense is complicated, so I will spend extra time learning it, as well as practicing my regular shooting and dribbling drills. I don’t score as many points as the others, but I get assists when I pass to a player, like Jordan or Carter, and they hit the shot.
“I should have known you’d still be out here.” I hear Carter call out as he walks toward me. He hasn’t showered, and I smile, realizing my old friend came back out to help.
“You know I have an offense to learn if we are going to dominate this year.” He nods, and I toss him the ball.
“Man, you’re a basketball genius. I have no doubt that you’ll know the plays better than Coach before the season starts.” We both laugh at that, and I have to agree. My mind, body, and soul have been dedicated to this sport since I can remember.
“You still put up 200 shots to end practice?” he asks with an eyebrow raised.
“Of course,” I reply.
We spend the next hour shooting and reminiscing about the years we played together. After hitting my final shot of the day, I pick up my playbook, and Carter brings the ball so we can put everything away.
Walking over toward the locker room, the sound of feminine laughter in the hallway sends a thrill down my spine. Turning around, I see why. Rea, also known as Reagan Mills, has the most beautiful laugh I have ever heard. I thought I was being introduced to the team, and sheshowed up looking like a straight-up snack. And yes, I stalked her socials during class today.Sue me.
Her megawatt smile nearly stops my breathing. She is gorgeous. Her lean, athletic frame is short, not much taller than five foot four. That light brown hair, long and wavy, and the stormiest gray eyes a man could get lost in. Don’t get me started on her curves. Perfection.
I force myself to stop the thoughts running through my mind as fast as they take over. There has never been a girl who has caused such intense reactions from me. I don’t do the whole girlfriend thing. My focus is on basketball, like always. My dream is to become a head coach someday. I’m decent, but not good enough for NBA aspirations, so I want to focus my future on coaching the next generation of players.
Now that I’m at CTU, I will add always being available to my dad, but that’s all I can handle right now. No one really knows why I’m here, probably assuming I want to play for my uncle, which is true. But it's just a bonus in a situation that I would rather not be in.
It’s like she can sense me because Reagan turns her head right to me while I’m staring at her like an idiot. She does this shy, half-smile thing that instantly sends my lips upward. She’s so beautiful.And so off-limits.
I give her a wave and head off before I do something stupid like throw her over my shoulder and scream, “MINE!”
Uh…what?
THREE
REAGAN
As soon as I walk into the hallway outside the locker room, I know Riggs is here. It’s like a spidey sense minus the webs. Turning toward him, I see he’s already looking at me. After his wave, he walks off, so I turn to look for Jordan, finding my friend Lindsey there instead.
“Who was that man candy you were staring at, Reagan?” Lindsey asks, giving me a wink. The girl is the definition of a bombshell with her long auburn locks, tall frame, and insane curves. She’s the dance team captain and an insanely talented choreographer.
We’ve known each other since she started at CTU. I was her freshman orientation leader when I was a sophomore, and we hit it off over our shared love of dance. She’s also known Jordan’s teammate Theo Williams since they were little, so the whole fangirl thing is not what she’s about.
“That’s the new transfer to the basketball team. And I wasn’t staring! I’m looking for my brother. He’s supposed to take me home after his workout.” My cheeks blush, but I hold on to my resolve.
“Uh-huh. Sure. I see you’re blushing, girl. I’ll drop it for now. I can give you a ride, so text J and let your twin know where to find you. Oh, and maybe we can stop at Cookout on our way to grab the banana milkshake you love so much. I could seriously go for some girl time.”
I instantly agree. “Yes, please. Let me just text him, and we can go,” I tell her as I type out a message to my brother.
