Page 38 of Unexpected Pass

With that, I stepped back, allowing the crowd’s cheers to send a rush of adrenaline through my body as I joined my teammates in line. The energy was infectious as the rest of the team gave their heartfelt thanks to the crowd.

“So, what’s the plan after this? We hitting the afterparty or what?” Braelon nudged me. I laughed, shaking my head. How this nigga still had the energy to party was beyond me.

“I’m good on the celebrations for a minute.”

“Old ass,” he joked as we both turned our heads toward the team owner.

“Let’s finish this celebration with a chant. When I say ‘Champions,’ you shout back ‘Warhawks!’ Ready?” he said, rallying the crowd for one last hurrah.

“Champions!” the owner shouted.

“Warhawks!” the crowd responded. The energy in the vicinity was crazy as everyone joined in.

“Champions!”

“Warhawks!”

“Champions!”

“Warhawks!”

Music pulsed through the air, and people began to dance. Some kissed their wives and children. Laughter and happiness surrounded me, and all of it made me think about the girl I’d spent less than forty-eight hours with. I couldn’t shake her. I headed off the stage, making my way through the secured area for the team.

“I’m ready to go,” I told Monte so he could bring my car to the exit.

“Got it, KB,” he replied as he left to retrieve the car.

A few minutes later, a soft, familiar voice cut through the crowd’s noise, and I turned to see the face of the woman I once loved.

“Ariel.” I sighed as she approached me, carrying a bouquet of congratulatory balloons.

“Kellon!” She greeted me wearing a nervous smile.

I took her in. Ariel had always been beautiful and dressed in luxury. Nothing had changed there, but I knew her attitude, lackof respect, and empathy for others—all the things that made her ugly inside.

“What you doing here, Ari?” I asked, trying to figure out why she thought approaching me was a good idea. I hadn’t seen her since I’d kicked her out of my house after she spoke badly about my mom and deceased brother.

“I know you didn’t think I was going miss the victory parade,” she replied, stepping closer. “Congratulations! I tried calling, but you?—”

“You’re blocked!” I finished her sentence.

She was blocked from my phone and social accounts the night I’d called it off. Ariel thought love was toxic. She wanted fights, arguments, and me to get so irritated with her that I wanted to put her head through a wall. She wanted a hood nigga. I didn’t have time for that. I had too much to lose.

“I thought maybe we could meet for lunch and talk.”

“I’m not interested, Ari.”

She blinked, taken aback. “This isn’t fair anymore, Kellon. We had an argument. I just want to celebrate with you… You could at least give me a chance to apolog?—”

“We don’t have shit to talk about, Ari, and I don’t want no damn apology.” I fired back. Ariel could really keep any conversation she had for a nigga and those cheap ass balloons. I was good on her and had been for a long time.

“Kellon, don’t do that. I miss you,” she called out to me as I walked away from her.

There used to be a time when her alligator tears would move me, but that time was long gone. I continued my pursuit as Natalie, her best friend, rushed in her direction. Suddenly, it made sense how she’d even gotten into this secured area. Her bestie Natalie was a sports journalist. I glanced at them both as Natalie comforted her friend. I didn’t know why Ari had let herhype her up to get her in here to talk to me. Anything Ari and I had was long gone.

“Are you ready, KB?” Monte shouted from outside a black SUV.

Yep. I didn’t hesitate to walk to the SUV. Relief washed over me as I climbed in without looking back.

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