IILICIT AFFAIRS ━━ Lamelo Ball

4.2

Winona Rosario.

The kiss on New Years was just the spark that slowly lit the bomb.

The affair didn't happen in an instant. We danced around on the borderline---the borderline that separate platonic and a full on affair. When one person crossed the line where the other was, the other person would cross the line. It was like a never-ending game of balancing the scale.

Lamelo and I didn't speak outside of our professional duties as sports journalist-player for about a month. He talked to me like he did to any other journalist — he didn't steal glances anymore or try to milk more screen time with me. He was straight to the point, never adding in or leaving an extra detail out. By his reaction, we knew by then that we'd cross the line.

Cassandra was in Charlotte during the WNBA's off-season. She was there to support LaMelo on the Hornets' playoff berth. She sat court side, as did I. We sat right next to each other, and I remember just feeling her stare me down. I had my notepad and my microphone, when all of a sudden Cassandra spoke to me. "What did I tell you?"

I remember her tone. It sent chills down my spine. I felt hairs rise on spots I never knew I had. But despite the tone, there was that care in her voice.

I played dumb. She knew and I knew, but I couldn't bring myself to say it then, and it wasn't anything back then. "What are you talking about?"

"Rosario. Do not play with me right now." Her voice was calm and steady. She covered her mouth as she spoke. That girl was veteran. She knew the cameras were watching.

"I don't think we're on the same page, Cassandra," I said in a whisper as my eyes were glued on the game ahead of us.

"Bullshit. I'm not playing this," her tone got a little more aggressive. "If me telling you Lamelo is bad news didn't work, I'll flip the script. Think about Skyla. I know you don't know Skyla, but I do. She's a sweetheart, Winona. She's been through so much shit, and she's finally happy. She's told me that she think God sent Lamelo to her. Do you even know a fraction of what she went through in her past relationship? So please, woman to woman, I beg you not to hurt another woman."

Her words did have an effect on me. For the next couple of weeks, I withdrew from Lamelo. I asked to cover different games or different players. Hell, I tried to get a transfer to Minnesota. I used to sit at night wondering why I had done that. And her words almost worked. I almost got over it.

But goddamn, he had a different power over me. He was just so charming. As I've said, Lamelo loved the chase. He also loved being wanted. And when I stopped, that was his cue to keep going.

I found him knocking at my door one night. He had been over once, and I guess the doorman watched enough basketball to never question it. "Hey," he said.

"Hi," I said unamused, leaning against the doorframe.

"Listen, did I do something? 'Cause you been avoiding me," he questioned.

It took me a while to find the words. "I don't think it's appropriate for us to extend this relationship past work anymore."

"Did Cassandra say something to you?" Lamelo asked. "I swear to god that girl is always in my business."

"Even if she did, Lamelo, don't you owe Skyla some loyalty? I've heard the shit she endured with her ex. And she loves you and wants to marry you, man."

He took a step closer and his hand landed on my bare waist. He was leaning into me at this point. He towered over me, and was staring me down."We're longtime friends, Anne-Breanna. Skyla's been through shit, but that doesn't mean we can't be friends."

It was hard to be resilient in that moment. It was hard not to fold. I took a half step back. "Lamelo. You know that's bullshit. We kissed a month ago and didn't speak to me until now. I don't like what I did to Skyla. I'm sure she's great. Go home to your fiancée, Lamelo, because I'm done."

"She's in London, Europe leg of her tour. I'll be alone tonight," I knew what he wanted then. With the hands on my waist and the whispers in my ear, I knew what he was looking for. If kissing was crossing the line, then what he wanted was to jump over the line and burn it.

"Lamelo, we shouldn't," I resisted so hard, but he just had this... effect on me. I could fear my legs weaken with every word he spoke.

"What Skyla doesn't know," he had made his way into my apartment and closed the door behind him. He had me pinned against the wall, and all I could do was stare up into his eyes. "Can't hurt her, right?"

I wanted it. I wanted it bad. Yet again, Lamelo charmed his way into leading me to a bad decision. "Lamelo, we sh—"

"Shhh. Let's keep this between us, Anne. And let me show you what you've been missing out on."

I'm ashamed of what we did that night. I'm ashamed of how easily he undid those words from Cassandra.

I didn't feel that, back then. My brain was just so focused on the pleasure that it was too high to feel remorse, to feel guilt. It was selfish, and I often wondered if he ever felt remorse or guilt for what he did. Sometimes I wonder if I face Skyla, would I ever be brave enough to beg for forgiveness? Skyla Morrison is graceful, and I'm ashamed for jumping over the line and burning it.

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LOVE LETTERS FROM SHAY.
the way this book is actually almost over (like 10-ish chapters left depending how this is written lol)