The tall, rusted fence of a basketball court came into view up ahead. Neighbored by two brick buildings beside it, the single court was shrouded partially in shade and surrounded by graffitied walls. Six men were inside, taking turns to throw a basketball into one of the tall hoops but also playing a very rough game. I couldn’t help that my steps slowed.
“I think I should sit this one out,” I said quietly, keeping my eyes on the group when one was knocked to the ground.
Seb.
He laughed and shook the fall off, jumping back to his feet before looking over at us and waving. Clearly okay after the whole Aiden debacle.
“I wouldn’t let them hurt you,” Dean said, pulling open the court gate. I stepped through under his arm.
“I know... I'm just not very coordinated when it comes to sports, so I'm more worried about me hurting me. Or getting in the way," I laughed nervously, interlocking my fingers.
The men paused their game and gathered on the edge of the court, eyeing us curiously. I wasn't sure what I was nervous about. Anxiety about the men was a given, but I think the idea of jumping around in public, at risk of making a fool of myself, weighed heavily on my mind.
But, we were here already, and I was still riding on the little high from taking charge of my day. And the other high I got whenever Dean touched me.
Dean curled his hand around my clasped ones, bringing my attention up to him and inviting another round of butterflies to surge through my stomach. "What'll it be, Lily?"
I inhaled. "I'd be the shortest on the team, but I'm willing to try."
He chuckled, his smile warm. "C'mon."
Most of the men were childhood friends of Seb’s, while the rest were guys they met recently via the basketball court. They all seemed welcoming, except for one who rolled his eyes when he saw me. His name was Sergio and he muttered something in Puerto Rican that gave me the impression we wouldn’t be friends anytime soon.
“Lily can start us off,” Seb said, lightly tossing the ball at my chest.
I turned it over in my hands. “Keep in mind I don’t know how to play...”
“That’s okay. Neither does Dean,” he joked, thumping Dean on the shoulder. Dean only deadpanned at him before Seb continued, “We’ll go easy on you, Lil’.”
I smiled a little, warmed by the reassurance.
“If she’s playing, she’s not gonna be on my team,” Sergio scoffed, earning a few chuckles from some of the guys.
“Who said I wanted to be on your team anyway?” My voice was quiet but I lifted my chin a little.
“Stay out of my way, princess,” he smirked, stepping towards me.
Dean’s hand went out to Sergio’s chest — not forceful but still a warning — and he faked a smile. “Call her princess again and I’ll shove the ball up your ass.”
Seb leaned into me and whispered, “Maybe throw the ball.”
“Yep, good idea,” I said quickly.
I walked through the group and into the center of the court. They followed and sorted themselves into their existing teams on the way, gathering behind their team captains, Sergio and Seb. The two faced each other as I held the ball up in one hand between them. Seb, on my right, was grinning from ear to ear as he bounced on his feet with Dean flanking him — closer to me. He shifted slowly on his feet as he got into position.
I took a breath and then threw the ball up. Then squealed and jumped back as the teams collided. There was no way I had a chance at getting the ball back now, not with that much testosterone hurtling down the court.
Seb managed to steal the ball from Sergio and was playing into the other team’s faults. Turning one way, and then quickly twisting out of reach, he tossed the ball over their heads straight into Dean’s hands.
Without hesitation, Dean raced in the other direction down the court. This caused the rest to chase after him, barrelling passed me. I tensed and straightened to not get bowled over in the rush. Once they passed, I hurried to the outer — safer side of the court.
Dean still had the ball as he dodged and shouldered other players to find an opening. His calves flexed when he made sudden turns — sneakers screeching against the court — while his shirt snagged against his muscled body. Sergio swiped for the ball, but Dean bounced it between the man’s legs, caught it around the other side, and launched himself at the net. Splaying one hand around the ball’s side, he slammed it through the hoop.
The backboard rattled loudly in protest as he swung from the hoop and dropped to the ground again with ease, smiling breathlessly as he caught the ball and tossed it to Seb. When he noticed me standing on my own, he jogged over.
I smiled at the elated look in his eyes. “Nicely done.”
He removed his cap as he slowed in front of me, and tousled his hair. “You’re not playing?”
