Experience the intense world of the Women's Professional Basketball Association with Naaliq Goldhawk, a standout player whose name gets mentioned among legends. Over six years, the Miami Kelpies' forward has built a reputation as a future Hall-of-Fa...
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AZIYA
I've just secured the biggest contract in WPBA history, but my anxiety is ripping through me like a raging tide. After months of intense negotiations, I've landed exactly where I wished to be. Now, I must face the notorious Naaliq. With the secrecy surrounding my talks with the Kelpies, she either doesn't want me on her team, or the front office has been dealing behind her back. Either way, she's gonna throw a fit when she finds out I'm her new teammate.
Has she found out yet?
Ramon, my sports agent, still hasn't texted me back.
I'm waiting for his message in the living room of my new waterfront home. Lounging on the plush sectional on my right, the floor-to-ceiling windows present a lovely view of rustling Florida palm trees and shimmering bay waters. My crib, adorned with contemporary artwork, earthy color schemes, and strategically placed live plants, was designed to help me stay zen. But my inner peace is hard to find as sports anchors shout on the mounted 4K TV. WSBN, the hottest and most controversial sports network, is droning on about the current PBA season. Right now, all eyes are on the men's basketball playoffs, but soon, the hysteria will shift to me, Naaliq, and the Kelpies.
My college best friend, Najae, a sports journalist for WSBN, is on standby in Los Angeles. As soon as Ramon confirms Naaliq knows I'm joining the Kelpies, Najae will break the news. She'll drop the bombshell on social media and then hop on a video call with WSBN within five minutes.
Damn, what's taking Ramon so long? Should I call him? Najae's probably as anxious as I am, hoping no one else scoops her exclusive.
My trembling hands reach for my phone in my lap. A dark brown hand taps my fingertips, stopping me. Vali casts a firm gaze at me, her mink eyelashes framing her pretty brown eyes. This girl has held me down since I used to steal candy from the corner store. From the playground to high school, she was my tag team partner whenever I had to rock a bully bitch's world. Her undying ghetto fabulous persona keeps me grounded, reminding me I'm just a bitch from the gutter who got rich off her athleticism. I could've used more of her while I was in Houston, but Dom cleverly kept us apart. If Vali had known how Dom treated me, she would've sent some Floridian goons in balaclavas and all-black fits to "handle business."
Me and my forever bestie reconnected as soon as I reentered Miami-Dade County. We're roommates now, and I'll never let anyone separate me from her again.
"Bitch, breathe, and chill out," Vali says. Like many other bad bitches in Miami, her speech has a distinct rhythm, but there's also an endearing, animated quality to it. I swear she needs to go into voice acting, but she's been making big bucks in event planning.
Straightening her posture, she flutters her fingers down her body. Her lime green acrylics, decorated with gems, hypnotize me briefly. "Surrender to the moment, or whatever the fuck they be telling you in those meditation classes."
