Gabriel

Three

Gabriel Nichea was insanely talented.

Jaleesa couldn't tear her eyes away from him as he practiced.

Not that she wanted to.

The man was good at every position.

Pitcher, catcher, batter, infield, outfield, literally everything.

When her father called him to pitch, she didn't think he'd effortlessly adapt from being a batter.

The man had the best throwing arm she'd seen.

He was insanely talented.

Her questions flowed as she finalized her outline. His interview would be the first and she'd use it as the foundation of the others she did.

However, she knew that his interview would have the best answers. None of the others would live up to his. He had to have a story behind his talent.

All of the greats did.

She was buzzing.

Buzzing so much that the four days she had to wait until the next practice flew by.

She'd kept her mouth shut about the players. She wanted to remain as gracious as she could. Miranda and CeCe would have only riled her up.

"Keep my head," She whispered a prayer.

She hoped to keep her head and not choke again. Never again.

She was already marked as Coach Destiny's precious little Princess. If she wanted to be seen as Jaleesa, the sports journalist, she had to be distinguishably Jaleesa, not childish or choking.

"All things through Christ,"

She had this.

-

"-respectful, honest, kind, and understanding. It'll be easy like a Sunday brunch," Coach Destiny said, praising Jaleesa.

Gabriel nodded, stretching. "Okay,"

He wasn't looking forward to the interview. Not in the slightest.

He spent an hour praying for the drive to get it done, but he was still praying for a way out.

Glory.

He had to remember glory.

He would have to sit through an interview with Jaleesa for God to be glorified.

It was the only reason he hadn't backed out.

He didn't like this.

Jaleesa was dangerous. Too beautiful, too attractive, too fine, too everything.

Too dangerous.

There was something about her air.

It was enchanting.

Like something mystical.

And he was wise enough to know that he didn't have the strength not to be enraptured by her.

But he had to try.

"Strengthen me, Lord." He breathed deeply.

"What was that, son?" Coach Destiny asked, oblivious to Gabriel's internal battle.

"A prayer," He answered. "I believe it will be well. I'm not ashamed of my life. My redeemer lives and I will bless Him for His kindness,"

Ease covered him as he spoke of the Lord.

Coach Destiny smacked his shoulder proudly. "This is why I chose you. You know what it's all about. Jaleesa will be encouraged," He smiled. "You set the standards, Gabriel. The others will follow,"