Page 30 of Full Court Press

“I am.”

“He’s more than ready. With his attitude, plus skill, I’m sure multiple teams are going to be coming for him,” Coach Eddie boasted as he slapped my shoulder, gripping it firmly with a smile on his face.

“I’m only playing for my home team,” I confirmed. Texas was cool, and even the California Mavericks and Atlanta Clips wanted me on their teams. But I missed home. I wanted to represent for my city, alongside Isaiah Walker. When I read his bio, it was crazy how much our lives mirrored one another.

He, too, was a young father, his moms married his stepfather, Asanti Lewis, and was drafted before he graduated college. He now played for the Detroit Vipers.

The shit was trippy. But I resonated with him in a major way, and I knew with us on the same team, we would be unstoppable.

“Then you better show out,” AD Adams said with a chuckle.

“You already know I am.”

“With the baby, Nia, and having commitments to the school, how are you mentally and emotionally?” Counselor Dickerson asked.

My smile faltered some. I honestly didn’t know how I felt. All I knew was Kiyanne was my world and made me happy. As far as Nia, I could never understand her. I made it painfully clear that we were never getting back together, and although I had sex with her sporadically, it didn’t mean I would ever take her back.

Obviously, that wasn’t resonating with her. I couldn’t blame her, though. I knew if I continued to have sex with her, it would give her false hope.

I cleared my throat. “I mean, I’m good emotionally, for the most part. Aside from having so many responsibilities, I think I’m mentally prepared for what’s to come. Every obstacle, every late night, and every day I’m on the court is all for my daughter.”

I could see them all nod in agreement.

“Good. Just want to make sure you’re emotionally healthy and mentally prepared for your pending success. And as you know, my door is always open for a chat,” Dickerson said.

I nodded.

“Welp, I guess we’re done here. We’ll see you at the combine,” AD James dismissed.

“Thanks,” I replied and stood. I said my goodbyes to them and hurried out of James’s office to get to my business class on time.

All week, Piper had been avoiding me. I wasn’t able to see her the day everything went down, because I had to get back to Kiyanne. My people were blowing my phone up, telling me they were going to call the police on Nia because she had taken Kiy and locked herself in my bedroom.

I had to break the door down and force her out of my house. I’d never put my hands on a woman, but shorty was wilding and had me ready to choke her out.

After all that shit, I decided to take a mental health day, see my people off, and spend time with my nana and daughter. Of course, Nana and Moms had questions about Piper, but I honestly had nothing to give them besides the fact that I liked her. Even more now that I’d tasted her.

I was obsessed.

So obsessed, I found myself having to smell her panties she left over my house just to start my day off right.

Weird shit.

I know.

I couldn’t help it. Her scent, her taste, and her overall vibe had me wanting more of her. That was only if she stopped ignoring me.

We aced the assignment as I knew we would, but the whole time Piper ignored me, talked around me, or didn’t talk at all. When I tried to talk to her alone, she’d cling to her roommate and walk off as if I wasn’t talking to her.

It wasn’t cool how she was playing me, but I understood. Today, I had different plans for her ass. She wasn’t running from me today.

After attending my classes, I met up with Lamar and Keith in the study hall. Since these niggas were on academic probation, they needed my help with some assignments they missed because they decided to chase pussy instead of having their heads in the books.

I was tempted to leave their asses hanging, but I needed them on the court with me this Saturday. The three of us were a force on the courts, so I needed these fools to tighten up.

I walked inside the study hall and immediately saw Piper in the corner with Jaylin Griggs. They seemed a little too fucking cozy for me. The way they sat so close to each other had the green-eyed monster appearing inside of me.

I was usually a cool dude. I didn’t sweat chicks, because there were too many options. For some reason, seeing Piper after my tongue had been in her mouth, pussy, and ass had me wanting to crack Jaylin’s jaw just from the way he was smiling at her.