All is fair in love and basketball

42

Christina's POV

"How was practice?" I asked as we drove to his mom's. I was rubbing the back of his neck as he drove. Admiring the side of his face and the way his muscles tighten ever so slightly whenever he made a turn.

"Coach made me take it easy today but it felt good. I didn't really have no problems until after cause it felt kind of sore but other than that I think I should be ready to go by our next game." He spoke enthusiastically.

"I'm so proud of you! You've been working really hard and you deserve it. I can't wait to watch you play again." I spoke. He looked over at me with a smile on his face and I returned it.

"You know I love you right?" He asked.

"You better." I responded as we pulled up to his mom's house.

~

Andrew's POV

I was seated as one of the trainers tapped up my knee. I had nerves, something I didn't get often. Once he was done I moved my leg to see how it felt. The tape felt secure as I got up. I jumped up and down a few times just to make sure before walking into the locker room.

Claps came from the guys as I walked to my locker. I gave a small smile as I shook my head. I was not expecting that but it met a lot that my team supported me.

It was my first game back and we were 2-1 lead against the suns in the second round of playoffs. My leg felt good and I was more than ready to be back on the court.

The starting five was the same it's been since I left. Which I knew would happen but I couldn't lie and say I didn't feel no way as I sat with my other teammates.

"Call the foul!" I yelled from bench in the third quarter.

I still had yet to touch the floor, I was getting antsy from how close the game was.

The game continued with me cheering on the bench. The head coach, coach T would look at me and I swear he wanted call on me to go in but it never happened.

After the game I sulked in the locker, giving a fake smile to whoever looked my way. I didn't want to be that guy, but I couldn't help it.

I had been almost 100 percent at practice and I had been cleared to play so what was it? Did they not need me?

~
It was late when I made it to Christina's house. I was tired and a little sad and a lot hungry. I planned to take a shower, eat, and then hit the gym all day tomorrow.

"I'm sorry about your game" Christina said as soon as I walked through the door. Her arms came around my neck and I let go of my duffel bag to hold her.

"It's good. We won" I half smiled

"Yea but I know you've been excited to get back on the court." She leaned up puckering her lips. I pecked her lips before looking down at her.

"You eat?"

"Yea, I saved a plate for you?"

"You're the best." I smiled this time genuinely.

"So I've been told." She said walking away from me and into the kitchen with me following behind her.

~
2 weeks later

Ralphy's POV

I rung the door four times just to be annoying. It took all of five minutes for the door to open. He opened the door and we just looked at each other. Probably thinking about the fact that we would be playing against each other in the Finals.

All my years and we had never played against each other, maybe in a pick up game or something but this was different. This was our careers, our lives, our teams. Of course, I wanted to win, we both did.

This didn't change anything though, this was my brother. Always. It just sucked we weren't on the same team. I mean I didn't want to have to school him but aye. A guys gotta do what a guys gotta do.

We smiled before dabbing each other up. "What's up?" I asked walking inside.

"Nothing man, I've been practicing my ass off."

"You worried you won't get pt? Stop it" I brushed it off already knowing where this was going.

"What man? I've been back for three whole games and he still ain't put me in." I walked to the living room with him trailing behind me. "Like what kind of shit. He knows I'm healthy so what's the hesitation? It's fucking frustrating."

"Have you talked to him about it?" I fell on the couch getting comfortable.

"I don't want to seem like I'm bothered by it"

"But you are. I say speak to him about it."

The front door opened and I could hear feet hitting the tile, like heavy rain on a wind shield. "Ant the man" I said seeing him run full speed.

"Ralph" Ant screamed running towards me. I bent down allowing him to run into me.

"Wow, you've grown like 7 inches since I last seen you." I told him even though it had only been a week since I last saw him.

"Will I be tall like you?" He asked excitedly.

"I don't know, you're dad's pretty short." I joked

"Man" Dru said brushing me off. His attention on the hallway as Christina walked in.

~

3 days later

"Are you sure this will work? I would hate to spend all this money for nothing?" Kam stated

I squinted my eyes at her cause this was all her idea. "You tell me?" I retorted.

"I'm serious." She pushed my arm. "Like you think this will turn out ok?"

"Have some faith, baby. I do."

"Ok, ok. So we need to make a list of what we need to do." She smiled excitedly as she shuffled all of the papers around.

The final phase was in motion.

~