“Shouldn’t Sulley take the shot?” I ask.
Coach shakes her head. “They’re expecting that. They’ll likely be double-teaming her. You’ll have man-to-man coverage. It will be easier for you to get an open shot.”
Sulley smacks my shoulder with a huge grin on her face as she echoes my words from a minute ago. “You’ve got this, superstar. I believe in you, Air Kennedy.” She gives me a look where I know exactly what she’s thinking. She’s going to alter the play slightly, and I know exactly how because we’re at the point where we can read each other’s minds.
Layla shouts, “Fuck yeah, let’s go win this.”
We bring our hands in for a cheer before we break apart and take our positions on the court.
Shay inbounds the ball to Sulley. As Coach expected, two players immediately suffocate her.
I take one sharp step like I’m going to set the pick, drawing Diane close to my body. As soon as I feel her touch me, I do what my dad told me to do and spin away from her, heading straight for the basket.
She bit on my fake. I’ve got a full step on her now. Instead of the bounce pass Coach instructed Sulley to give me, Sulley tosses the ball into the air for an alley-oop.
I bend my legs low and then leap into the air as high as I can, grab the ball, and dunk it just before the clock expires.
Game over. We win.
I hang on the rim for an extra second or two, enjoying the biggest moment of my life. It feels like a billion flashes go off in my face before I finally drop to the ground, only to be dog-piled by my entire team.
THIRTY
DAYLEN
Holy. Fucking. Shit.
She did it! She dunked. She didn’t just dunk, she dunked in the biggest moment to win the league championship as time expired. That play will live on in infamy as the greatest in league history.
My girl.My wife. The hero.
Our team was going crazy on the plane as we all watched with nervous excitement. I had to look away when Coach and Vance were embracing, jumping up and down while celebrating Kennedy’s big moment. I desperately wanted to join them, but more importantly, I wished I was there to celebrate with her. I can’t wait for this damn plane to land in a few hours. I need her like I need oxygen. I would parachute to get to her right now if I thought it was faster.
Vance plops down next to me and lightly punches my arm and whispers, “She was awesome, man.”
I nod. “She was. They all were.”
His eyes briefly move to Coach a few rows up before returning to mine. “When are you going to tell him?”
I shrug. “I’d tell him now, but Kennedy keeps delaying. I’m frustrated, but she’s pregnant. I don’t like to upset her.”
“Trust me, I get it.” He’s having similar issues with Sulley. He runs his fingers through his hair. “At least Kennedy will be showing soon. Then she’ll have no choice. Sulley is dragging this on forever.”
I feel bad for my friend’s situation, but he’s right about mine. We’re on a timeline. She’ll be showing any day now. I’m suddenly feeling hopeful that this will be over sooner rather than later.
As soon as we deplane, I sprint to my Jeep and head straight for Kennedy’s apartment. I’m dying to hold her in my arms and congratulate her. I’m going to kiss every inch of my superstar’s beautiful body.
It’s the middle of the night, but she said she’d wait up for me, so I’m going. I know her team was out celebrating. She was with them, but obviously not drinking. I’m sure she’s back now. I have her code if she’s fallen asleep.
I speed like a madman to her place, impatiently pressing the elevator button a thousand times as if it will make the world’s slowest elevator arrive that much faster.
I contemplate taking the stairs, but the elevator doors open just before I’m about to abandon it. When it arrives on her floor with a ping, I see her already standing in her doorway waiting for me. She’s fresh-faced with just-out-of-the-shower hair, wearing my jersey. There’s nothing but her long legs poking out.
I can’t help but stare. She takes my breath away. She’s never looked more beautiful to me.
I didn’t know she owned one of my jerseys. It must be new, but my heart pumps wildly seeing it on her. My dick thumps too. It’s fucking hot seeing her like this.
As soon as she sees me, a huge smile takes form on her face. At the same time, we run toward each other, and she leaps into my waiting arms, wrapping both her arms and legsaround me. “I did it,” she squeals in delight. “Did you see my dunk?”
