Tahaadpettiford Stories

Kierah "Key" Johnson isn't looking for distractions. Between being a psychology major, running a lash business out of her dorm, and trying to stay grounded after losing the people who raised her, she's focused on herself. Elliot Cadeau moves differently. Quiet. Observant. Hard to read. A college basketball star who knows how to communicate in front of cameras-but struggles when it matters most. They weren't supposed to notice each other. But when silence feels louder than words, proximity turns dangerous, and emotions start surfacing without permission, being keyed in becomes unavoidable.

Nyeli Janae Carter lives a quiet life. She keeps to herself, focuses on school, her routines, and her peace. She loves deeply, sometimes too deeply, and gets attached faster than she should. Tahaad Pettiford lives fast. Basketball, pressure, expectations. He's protective, jealous, and loves hard, even when he doesn't always love right. What starts off subtle turns complicated fast. Unspoken feelings. Missed conversations. Jealousy that creeps in quietly. And a love that feels safe one moment and overwhelming the next. Learning how to love each other means slowing down or walking away. Some relationships aren't meant to be public. Some are better kept off the grid.

laviano ball, eighteen, the youngest sibling of the famous ball brothers - lonzo (nba), liangelo (rapper), and lamelo (nba). she's smart, beautiful, and fiercely independent, constantly trying to prove she's more than just "the little sister of the ball brothers." laviano grew up in a world of sports, fame, and expectations - her entire life has been cameras, courtside seats, and family interviews. but she's always rolled her eyes at basketball players, swearing she'd never date one. "they all the same," she says - cocky, unavailable, and never take girls seriously. instead of chasing fame, laviano chooses to go to college out of state, majoring in veterinary, determined to make her own name. but her plan starts to shake when she meets tahaad pettiford, a charismatic, 6'1 college basketball star who seems nothing like the guys she's used to. at first, laviano brushes him off - especially once he finds out who her brothers are and starts acting different. but tahaad's not like the rest. he doesn't ask about lamelo or try to use her for a shoutout. he's funny, protective, and the only person who sees laviano for who she is - not who she's related to. as they grow closer, laviano struggles to keep their relationship private. the moment her brothers catch wind of it, everything explodes. lonzo's overprotective. lamelo's furious. and liangelo warns her - "he's just another baller, laviano. don't fall for the same type you said you hated." laviano finds herself stuck between her past and her future - her family's spotlight and her own voice - and the boy she never expected to love. themes: • finding identity outside of fame • family expectations vs personal happiness • the fear of repeating generational cycles • the complexity of love when everyone's watching

cheerleader x basketball player