SKINTIGHT (Watty Awards 2024)

Chapter 12

Hi everyone!!! I'm sorry for missing my upload date again. I'm still settling in my new place and we're starting to get busy with the holidays. I'm still planning on uploading every weekend but I might miss one or two this month. I'll keep you updates as much as I can. Next weeks chapter should go ahead as planned 🥰

❤️LOVE YOU ALL ❤️

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Rio

I run along the sideline, perfectly receiving the ball Mason throws my way. I dribble it against the court, scanning for someone to pass it to next. But no one's available. A guy from the opposition tries to block my path, but I sidestep him, hurling towards the ring. I glance at the backboard and flick the ball towards it. I don't bother to see if it lands. I know it will. Sure enough, I hear Coach cheering from the bench. I don't bother to rejoice. Neither does the rest of the team. We jump straight back into action, ready to take the ball back into our control.

The game continues until well past our scheduled practice time. We're supposed to be here until 11, but I don't think we'll be leaving anytime soon. Coach is riding us hard today. He's stressed about our game this weekend. I think we all are. It's not the playoffs or anything, but it may as well be. Recruiters are scheduled to come; not small-time, minor-league recruiters, but the big ones — NBA recruiters. I'm talking the Nets, the Lakers, the 76's... Any team that matters will have a recruiter at our game on Saturday. And we all want in. Every single one of us on the team wants a deal. We all want to be drafted and we all want to be signed. We may be the best college team in the country, but there's no way we will all get recruited. Not even half of us will go pro, and those that do will probably only be semi-pro.

I can't be that guy, though. I can't. That's not what I've worked for. I tell myself this shit every day, over and over again. I've been busting my ass to be in the NBA and I'm going to make it happen. I have the potential. I have the skills and the knowledge. I'm more dedicated and motivated than anyone else here. That's what I have to keep reminding myself. I'm the best guy on this damn team and I don't mean that in a cocky way. It's the fucking truth. We all know it, too. I've been an NBA prospect since I was a rookie. They've had their eyes on me for years. I've spoken to more coaches and trainers than I can count. I know they want me. I just have to keep proving to them that I'm worth it.

Coach calls on me to run the cool-down exercises, but not before sending us on a final lap of the court. Isaiah runs to catch up with me, joining me at the front of the group. Sweat drips from his forehead, his dreadlocks tied up on his head. I know what he wants to say before he starts speaking.

"Hey man," he huffs. "Thanks for yesterday."

"That's all good," I'm not in the mood to talk, but he was late this morning, so we didn't get a chance to catch up in the locker rooms. "Is she doing okay?"

"Yeah, Dani took the day off to stay home with her."

Good. She shouldn't be left alone.

"So I'm guessing she won't be coming to boxing tonight?" I ask.

"Oh, no. She'll be there.," he scoffs. "I'll drag her there myself if I have to."

"That's alright, man. If she doesn't want to go, you shouldn't force her."

"Nah, she'll be there," he insists. I don't bother pushing it further. I'll just figure it out myself later.

"Sounds good," I respond. "I'll keep you updated."

"We're happy to pay for any damage she caused — you mentioned she destroyed the bathroom."

"It's all good. We're insured for this stuff."