Basketball for Benefits

Chapter 1: Kaylons POV

I had waited a whole toturous month for the basketball season to start, and so it did.

Walking into the school with my basketball equipment slung over my shoulder felt absolutely amazing. When I saw the other guys from my team dropping their own bulky bags off in the locker room, I realized jus how excited I was for today. Basketball wasn't just a sport to me; it was a lifestyle. I lived to tear up the hoops with my bestfriends- nothing could compare.

It sounded strange, but not even my beautiful girlfriend Michelle meant as much to me as basketball did. We had been together for a while now, and she was really important to me, but this sport was my one true love.

After chatting with a few teammates in the locker room about today's tryouts, I went looking for Michelle and found her next to my locker with a slight frown. "You will get old before your time", I told her with a grin.

Michelle wrapped her arms around my neck and gave me a warm kiss. "I hate basketball season", she whined.

I tried not to look upset when I pulled away, but damn she was really raining on my parade. Michelle didn't have to love basketball, but she could at least pretend to be interested.

"And why is that", I asked.

Putting my arm over her shoulder, while guiding her to our first class of the day. Familiar faces waved and smiled at us as we walked by. It felt good being popular,bring noticed. I loved the fact that I was always the center of attention, and so did Michelle. Honestly, that was the real reason we went so well together. Other than that, we didn't have much in common.

I looked down at Michelle and waited for her to answer my question.

She sighed. "Because you're obsessed with basketball, that you forget about what's really important."

I laughed. "basketball is my baby,baby. Nothing can beat that."

Michelle's face went into seductive mode as she leaned towards my ear, and purposely brushed her breasts against my shoulders. " Not even me- completely naked?"

The thought of Michelle with clothes did sound tempting, but if I had to choose between basketball or Michelle, it would definitely be basketball. When I didn't answer her right away, she tore away from me with pure disgust.

"I just can't compete with that damn sport,can I!? We've been together for what, a year now?! You haven't even said you love me! God, I hear about how much you love that fucking sport all the time, but not once have you told me those words!"

Suddenly, my good was faced with having to deal with my ever dramatic girlfriend for the third third time this week. She was always finding a way to be mad at me...

"Oh come on you know it's not like that" *lies. total lie.*

"You're the worst liar, Kaylon" Michelle said, crossing her arms. " I of all people know that."

I groaned in frustration. I had never been unfaithful to Michelle. I bought things to keep her elated. Never had i pressured her into doing something she didn't want. Hell, I always took the blame for our fights and always was the one apologizing. Why couldn't she be satisfied with that?

Michelle was a good foot shorter than me, but shit she could pack a good punch. In one swift movement my head snapped back at the next second she was storming down the hallway. I looked around at the school's population who were all conveniently watching me. My face hardened in to a mask of anger and in seconds everybody was back minding their own business.

"Trouble in paradise?" My favourite teacher Mr.Londa grinned at me from the doorway of his history class.if he were any other teacher I probably have had something snarky, but Mr.Londa was my "dawg".

"Who new women could be so complicated?"

He chuckled. "At least you're not married yet. If you think it's hard now, wait until she gets a ring on her finger."

I frowned at the idea of marrying Michelle. Yeah, we had a good thing going, but she wasn't going to be in my life foreve. I already know that.

"So are you excited about tryouts?" Mr.Londa asked.

***

After seven hours of hell, I literally sprinted to the locker room and tore off my school clothes. All the guys were talking enthusiastically about how this was predicted to be our best season yet. Talk about being undefeated only fueled my adrenalin. In all my years of playing basketball I always had come so close to winning a championship, but never won. Things were different this year.

I followed a few of the other guys onto the state of the art court my father had insisted on building when I was old enough to hold a basketball. He was completely captivated with basketball and wanted me, his only son, to grow up in a town where basketball was a huge attraction. He prepared me technically my whole life.

Ask placed my stuff on our team bench,movement on the court caught my attention. ' well he must have gotten here early'- I thought. I kept a close eye on the new guy who was dribbling the ball up and down the court. He looked a little too skinny, for a rough sport like basketball, but his ball handling skills were 'on fleeeek'. He had to be Newton the school, because I knew every guy who was good and the sport, and this guy looked good.

"You know the guy?", my best friendly Ryan asked.

Ryan and I went way back third grade.i would never admit this to anyone, but then I was younger I was sort of a pussy. I mean, I let people walk all over me without any intention to fight back. That's where Ryan came in. One day those fifth graders were teasing me and he came right up and punched the biggest guy square in the jaw. After that punched, they guy looked fucked up man. Ever since then we'd been fearless partners in crime. Thankfully we both grew up to be studs, because I don't know what I would do if my bestfriend turned out to be some pimple faced nerd who didn't know how to talk to the opposite sex.

First day of tryouts were my favourite for one reason: fresh meat. It was fun messing with the freshman, especially since I had been captain since sophomore year Nd had a lot of practice pissing people off. Coach Nahum probably had a hunch about my rough induction for new guys, but I always made sure he never saw my rough-housing.

"No clue", I said, shaking my head as I stared across the court.new kid managed to dribble the ball right through our best defender and right in the hoop. "But whoever he is, he looks like he needs a little lesson on showing off."

Ryan smirked at my as we knocked our fists together. We both knew this plan from start to finish. We'd executed it hundreds of times on unsuspecting newbies. During tryouts, we'd double team the poor guy up. Rough him up a bit. We just had to make sure coach didn't catch us. By the end of practice, he'd know who's in charge and think twice about showing off on the court.

Finally coach stood up- tryouts were officially beginning. " Alright ladies get your asses out here and start warming up in four corners, if you don't know what that means, you don't belong here."

Some of the new kids scrambled onto the court looking completely confused. I wanted to see the new guy's face but he had on all full equipment and was to far away. The drill was simple enough and I lined up. After running through it a few time, coach had is start another warm up drill. I wouldn't be happier; the feel of the wood under my Jordans was the best rush in the world. But I wonder why the new guy wore a mask.

*** after tryouts***

The mass of exhausted, sweaty guys dispersed and made their way towards the bench. I took my shoes off, but stayed where I was, intent on watching the new kid. Even during tryouts I was still trying to size him up. Just before he reached the bench, he took off. His mask. Suddenly there was a tumble of chestnut locks pouring down on his shoulders.

Or should I say HER shoulders...

Her face was covered in a thin layer of sweat, and a new strands of hair were plastered to her golden brown skin. Deep brown eyes stared back at me as I took in her high cheekbones and full lips. As if she knew I was totally checking her out, a grin spread across her face.

"What? Never seen a girl before?"