Playing For Keeps

21| Chapter 18-TAYO

''Look what we have here? A visitor from Beaver High. You lost, bro? Come, let me point you to the nearest dam,'' Andre says. He has his hands in his pocket as he waltzes down the steps to where I parked and stares at me.

The other guys rolls their eyes but say nothing choosing to stand and watch their leader humiliate himself. Unlike the last time I was here, no one stared at me in awe.

This time they're pissed and judging by the middle fingers I'm getting, a hell of a lot pissed. People just don't understand the game when they suffer a defeat.

I know I won't have.

''Do we have to do this again? You cracked a joke, I laughed inside, let's move on,'' I say.

Andre shakes his head, and brings out his hands before crossing them across his chest. I roll my eyes, looking through everyone and hoping to find the locs that I know would only be on Lola's head.

She had told me she was getting a new hairdo, but had refused to show me the pictures after.

''Why are you here?''

''Are we asking dumb questions now? Cause I need to know if I need to grab pictures to explain this to you.''

He growls, and bares his teeth at me before leaping off his feet like he wants to maul me. I place my hand on my chest, catching every wandering eye before pursing my lips at him.

I might have also stuck out my tongue, my memory's fuzzy.

''Chill out, dude. It's just a joke. There's no need to get feisty. I'm here to pick up Lola. My girlfriend?''

Andre huffs, pulling himself out of his friends hold and straightening his jacket.

He runs his fingers through his hair, pulling a few strands taut before closing his eyes and releasing his breath.

''Get lost, beaver. Your kind's not welcome here. Except when the Redwood Tigers kick your team's ass.''

My eyebrows twitch, the smirk begging to be released but I restrain myself to cackling behind my fists. His words would have held more weight had my team not beaten them just two days ago. It was one of my finest games and according to coach, the scout was thoroughly impressed by me.

In his words, ''Tayo showed excellent sportsmanship. He didn't hug the puck, helped line assists and made sure the other team didn't get close enough to score a lot. I'd be keeping my eyes on him through the season.''

Those words, I had waited for them for so long and knowing a scout saw the prospects in signing me on, was more than I wanted. Or dreamed.

''Andre, I don't have time for you. I came to get my girlfriend...and there she is coming looking like the princess I know she is.''

Lola didn't look like a princess. In fact, she looked like she'd been dumpster diving, or living as a hobo for a long time.

She throws her bag at me and turns to Andre. This close I'm hit by an awful smell that it takes all my mental strength not to keel over the floor and upchuck my stomach contents.

Worse, it's coming from her. What had she done?

''Don't say a word. I'd explain on the way home.''

Nodding, I hike her backpack on my shoulders before smiling at Andre, even going the extra mile to wink at him.

''Your kind isn't welcome here, beaver. Everyone's had it up to here with you driving your bike here everyday to pick her up. No one's having it again.''

''One, I don't come here everyday. Two, you seem to be the only person having a fault with me coming to see my girlfriend or are you not over her yet?''