“Come on, man, it was an accident.” He shrugged, his tone light.
“Fuck you, Akin,” I hissed as I grabbed at his T-shirt.
“Preston.” Theo’s deep voice appeared at my back, his large palm clasping over my shoulder.
I ignored him, shoving Gregory back. I lunged again, but the big bastard behind me hooked both arms up under mine, yanking me against him before he hauled me back to our side.
“Looks like you might get disqualified, Rusk.” Gregory cackled. “You crossed the line.”
“Chill out. He’s not worth it and you’re scaring her,” Theo said low in my ear.
I shifted away when his grip eased, my skin hot as I glanced back at Trinity. She was standing now, her eyes wide.
I immediately went to her.
“Preston, I’m fine.” She shook her head. “Leave it.”
“But…”
“I said leave it.” She narrowed her eyes before they shifted behind my shoulder.
With poised grace, she took two steps forward and scooped up a lone ball. I watched in awe as she casually walked to the line,then fired a pass directly at Gregory, who was still reliving his ill-earned glory. The red ball hit him square in the dick, and he howled, groaning in agony as he dropped to his knees.
“Oh my gosh!” She brought her hands up to her face. “That was an accident. It slipped!”
Tears pricked his eyes, and Trinity turned to me with a subtle wink.
A piercing whistle sounded through the gym, the ref waving his arms as he walked onto the court. “That’s it. You.” He pointed to Gregory. “You’re out. Illegal throw. You.” He pointed to me. “Out. Crossing the boundary.” Then he gave Trinity a regretful look.
“Yeah, yeah. I know. I’m out.” She held her palms up with a smile.
“Rules are rules,” he stated before he leaned in close. “But that was epic. He deserved it.”
She chuckled, waltzing off the court to sit on the bench next to Theo.
“Last two in. Wesley and Sledge. Let’s go.” The ref blew his whistle again.
Wesley went back to the court, while I ambled to the sideline.
Sherman stood at the corner of the opposing bench, his eyes twinkling at Trinity. “I think I’m in love.”
You and me both, buddy.
28
Trinity
“I can’t believe we actually won.” I unclipped my seat belt. “That was the most fun I’ve had in a long time.”
“You had fun? You sprained your ankle and got blasted in the face.”
Preston’s voice dripped with frustration, and I clenched my legs when my mind replayed the way he stormed toward Gregory after the hit. He wasmadand for some odd reason, that was…hot.
“I’m fine.” I waved a hand. “It was a rubber ball.”
“Don’t move,” he ordered before he jumped out of the truck.
His tall frame rounded the hood before he opened my door, offering me a hand.
