Page 17 of Beneath the Stands (Sugarlake 2)

“No shit.” I chuckle.

I catch her eyes with mine. There’s a softness there I’ve never noticed—or maybe it’s never been directed my way—but now, it’s hard not to get lost in its warmth. I clear my throat, glancing at my plate. “Thank you. For just… getting it. I don’t think anyone ever has before.”

She tugs on that curly hair, twirling it around her fingers. My heart bangs against my chest, my leg bouncing to its rhythm under the table. The air swirls and changes, appreciation for her words and my attraction mixing until I swear it can reach out and touch her.

She exhales and drops her gaze. “Yeah… well, I still think you’re a pussy for not mannin’ up and goin’ back.”

I smile, stretching my arm against the back of the booth. “Well, you know what they say.”

Her brow lifts. “What do they say?”

“You are what you eat.”

10

Becca

I’m running late to meet Eli. Ever since he razzed me on the first day about cutting it close, I’ve made it my mission to show up before him, but last night I stayed up finishing a twenty-page paper that I procrastinated. So between that and my brain dissecting the “lunch date” from yesterday, I didn’t get much sleep.

I saw a different side of Eli at that diner. My loyalty has always—and will always—be with Lee, but I guess I never realized how things might have been for him back home. And now that I’ve started thinking about it, I can’t stop.

The longer it rolls around in my brain, the more frustrated I get, my heart twinging at the fact I can’t remember Lee ever talking about how Eli handled their momma’s death, or how he was dealing with not playing ball.

I have to wonder if she even knows, or if she’s been so lost in her misery that she never asked.

But someone ought to.

I saw the shadow of the ghost that haunts him. It causes an odd sensation in my chest, seeing him look so lost—a familiarity that fills the space between us, one that makes me want to dive inside his darkness and find the cracks of light.

And then I snap myself the hell out of it because I don’t want anything to do with Elliot Carson. The lack of sleep has clearly gone to my head. I will steel myself against whatever is malfunctioning in my body and brain when it comes to him.

I’ll find myself a big, fat dick to ride this weekend and I’ll fuck the thought of him away.

I walk into the arena with a new resolve, but all of that goes to complete shit when I drink in the scene in front of me. Eli’s shooting hoops, and he’s shirtless. Honest to God, he’s not wearing a stitch of clothing other than his basketball shorts and shoes. There’s nothing but the sound of his sneakers and the bounce of the ball.

Just him, the free-throw line and the focus of his craft.

My brain short-circuits, heart pumping blood so fast my body can’t keep up. I put my hand on the concrete wall to keep upright. A light sheen of sweat glistens over his chest and abs, making him look ethereal under the fluorescent lights. He’s clearly been practicing a while.

I stand stock still, my eyes devouring every line of his body, the control in his stance, the precision in his movement. It’s a thing of beauty. He’s a thing of beauty. My bag slips from my shoulder and drops to the ground, the sound harsh against the quiet of the air. Eli spins toward the noise, his posture relaxing once he sees me.

“Hey, figured I’d warm up while I waited.” He runs his fingers through his hair, his abs flexing with the movement.

I’d respond, but my mouth is suddenly parched and I’m afraid my voice won’t work.

His smile slowly drops while I stand there gaping. His eyes darken, the current of our energies dancing off each other, making the air grow heady.

I clear my throat, trying to snap out of it. “Yep. Hi. Sorry I’m late. I overslept.”

He smiles and fuck the butterflies in my stomach for daring to flutter from his grin.

“What are we doin’ today?”

He waves his arm at the cart of basketballs and the few stragglers on the floor. “Take a guess.”

“Hmm. You decide you want me on your team after all?” My mouth curls up.

He smirks, bouncing a basketball between his legs. “Baby girl, you’ve been on my team since you walked on this court. I’ve just had you benched.”

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