Page 83 of Off the Rim
It's a long shot, too far. Too risky, but there was no choice. The Lions are effectively boxing us out, and we're ready to end this.
The entire arena pauses as the ball soars through the air, the seconds slowing down as it arcs towards the basket. The GSU players turn to watch, and I skirt through them, sprinting toward the basket.
The ball hits the edge of the basket, spinning around the edge and off the rim. For a brief moment, I think it's going to miss. Pushing forward, I jump high, stretching my arm out. The ball bounces off the rim and directly into my hand. I slam it home, the ball ricocheting off the backboard and through the hoop.
The buzzer sounds. Game over.
Chaos erupts around us. The CVU Cougars have just upset the number five team in the nation, and I was part of it. My heart is pounding in my chest, and I'm blinking sweat from my eyes, but when I turn around to find him he's there, making his waytowards me, the pride and triumph of the win as apparent on his face as it feels on mine.
He launches into my arms. "You did it!"
"We did it."
"Fuck yeah we did."
CHAPTER 37
MARCUS
"Alright, it's no cabin in the woods, but this isn't bad, is it?"
Ashton pouts a little, but I see his smile in my periphery. He pulls me tighter against his body, water and bubbles sloshing everywhere.
I look over the edge of the massive jacuzzi tub. "We're going to need more towels."
"So, what do you think?" Ashton asks, his lips brushing over the back of my neck. "Do you think you could get used to this lifestyle?"
I hum, goosebumps breaking out over the nape of my neck and shoulders as I consider his words.
It's certainly different. I'd been surprised how quickly the endorsement deals came pouring in once it was confirmed CVU would be in the playoffs. There was a part of me that expected to get fewer or even no endorsements once my relationship with Ashton was made public, but I was pleasantly surprised when that actually brought us opportunities we hadn't considered before. And now we have multiple opportunities to work with companies that support the LGBTQ+ community.
That's how we ended up here, sitting in a luxury suite, with more money than I think my family has made in their lifetimes sitting in my bank account. The call from the major sports brand came the morning after our big game with GSU. A clip from the end of the game, of me running into Ashton's arms, went viral and the executives decided on the spot that they wanted the two of us to be the faces of their upcoming line of pride merch and apparel. Once we agreed to take the job, everything moved fast. We took a private plane to Los Angeles, met with some administrative executives to sign some papers, and our first photo shoot is scheduled for tomorrow. The company is even paying for us to stay in this hotel and for all our meals and expenses while we're here. It'll likely be a long couple of days of photo shoots and recording promotional videos for commercials, but for the amount of money they're paying each of us, plus the percentage of profits they showed would be going to LGBTQ+ youth outreach, I really don't mind. I've worked much harder for less.
"It's all about to happen for you, baby. Scouts are lining up to watch you play in the championship tournament, and even if we lose in the first round, you're expected to be a first-round draft pick. You deserve to live like this always, to never struggle another day in your life."
"You're the one that wants the fame and excess, not me," I chuckle, weirdly uncomfortable at the thought of so much changing overnight. This endorsement deal alone is enough to live off of for years for people like me. The thought that this could be the new norm is almost daunting. "I never aspired to play for the NBA."
It's not that I'm not tempted. I love basketball. It's the thing that got me through every hard moment of my life. It’s what carried me, paid for my education, and brought me to Ashton. To play inthe NBA, to make it in the big leagues, is pretty damn amazing. I never thought it was in the cards for me, but now that the possibility is here, I can't help but be excited for the future.
"What about you, Princess? You'll be able to continue on in the standard of living that you're accustomed to, rather than having to slum it with me."
Ashton laughs. "I do have high standards. Good thing I found me a sexy sugar daddy."
I snort. "You say that like our bios aren't side by side on that draft list. It's a toss up who they'll pick first. Your height gives you an advantage."
He shifts nervously, and I know something's up. I'm expecting him to make a cocky joke or turn it into a sexy competition, but he's oddly quiet.
"What's up?"
"I think I might not enter the draft." He says it slowly, like he's not sure about the words coming out of his mouth.
More water sloshes over the rim of the tub as I turn towards him, sitting back on my heels between his knees. "What do you mean? Isn't this what you always wanted?"
"It was. Or I thought it was."
I'm confused. He’s always told me that the NBA was his ticket out, the only way he could get away from his dad and the pressures to take over AJames Enterprises. He didn't think he could survive in the real world, as he put it. The NBA was his only option and the only goal he's ever had, other than getting under my skin.
"I think I want to go to grad school."
