The PreGame Ritual (Lynstone University Book 1) Read online

  The PreGame Ritual

  Copyright 2015 Alexandra Warren

  Cover Art by Alexandra Warren

  All rights reserved. This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the publisher except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

  This is a work of fiction. Any similarity to real locations, people, or events is coincidental and unintentional.

  Acknowledgements:

  Let me just say, these two might be my favorites. Now of course, I usually feel that way about all of my characters when they have my attention, but these two definitely have a special place in my heart. This is the first book of a new sports-based college series I’m working on surrounding Lynstone University, so I hope you guys enjoy!

  Many, many thanks for all the support! <3

  ava.

  How many times must a girl watch Love & Basketball before she realizes that shit is just a movie?

  I mean, I’ve had my share of pick-up basketball games against the boys.

  I’ve had my share of athlete boyfriends.

  And I’ve had my share of breakups to makeups.

  Yet, there no was inkling of a Quincy involved.

  Being in my senior year at Lynstone University, it was a known fact that I would graduate and play professional ball; first in the states then most likely overseas since that was where the real money in women’s basketball was made. But it was also beginning to feel like a known fact that I would be doing it all as a single woman. It wasn’t like I was even looking for a relationship. But in the same, I wouldn’t mind if it somehow, some way found me.

  Between school and basketball, I was kept pretty busy so I really didn’t have much time for the boys anyway. But when I did have time, I surely didn’t wanna spend every minute of it watching Love & Basketball alone in my apartment.

  Of course while I spent my Friday night with popcorn and my favorite movie, my roommate/little sister Avery was spending it out on the town with some dude she probably just met during the week. Avery was completely opposite of me. She didn’t play sports, she loved getting all dolled up in dresses and heels even for a regular ass Tuesday, and she bounced between boyfriends more than I bounced my basketballs.

  I couldn’t knock her game though cause truth be told, I wished I was out too.

  The movie came to an end and I wiped my tears before I changed the channel to ESPN. They were giving a rundown of the players to watch from each college and I noticed my school was next up on the list. I figured they were gonna talk about Darrell Sims, one of my best guy friends, since he was considered the star of the team and team captain. But to my surprise, they brought up a little freshman they described as a Phenom. They bragged on and on about how good he was in high school and how he had the potential to take a starter’s spot. They cut to an interview with the little dude and even more surprisingly, he wasn’t little at all.

  He was...a freshman.

  A cute ass, kinda grown ass looking freshman.

  Hmph, must’ve been held back a few times.

  I knew most of the guys on the team because we shared practice facilities so I wasn’t sure how I had missed this...kid. My eyes were glued to the screen as they asked him about what he thought of the team so far, how he was enjoying college, and if he was gonna try to go pro after his freshman year. He gave a little laugh, flashing a smile that embarrassingly went straight to my southern half.

  Damn girl, you need some action.

  I don’t know why I was even wasting my time sweatin’ him through the television as if it was possible to give somebody so young the time of day. I mean, surely he was still caught up on chasing fast ass girls and building his playa resume. He wouldn’t even know what to do with a woman like me. A woman with goals, and dreams, and visions, and an actual life compared to the young broads who were busy trying to chase after him instead of chase after something of their own.

  The screen cut to the next college and I let my thoughts of him cut right with it.

  miles.

  College was the shit.

  I only had to be in class for a few hours out of the day, then spend a few hours at the court or in the weight room, and the rest of the day was mine. I had a feeling things would change once the season started but for now, college was feeling a little like heaven.

  I was just finishing up a workout session with the team, when I saw the girl’s basketball players heading our way. We crossed paths on occasion but I hardly ever paid them any mind cause keepin’ it real, a few of ‘em looked manlier than me. I gave a what’s-up nod to the few I was familiar with before I grabbed my towel to clean off the sweat I had worked up.

  Since I was dead tired, I decided to find a seat in the bleachers next to some of my teammates who were still hanging around. We watched the girls do their warm-ups which were pretty similar to ours. A light jog, a few lay-up drills, and a few passing drills. One of the girls threw a bad pass and the ball flew into the bleachers right over my head.

  “Yo Miles, you better watch out up there,” yelled my boy Cam, before he gave a laugh. I shrugged him off and reached behind me to grab the ball, planning to pass it back to the court. Instead, I turned around right into a pair of titties that were squeezing against one of the familiar practice jerseys. When I looked up from her chest, I found a pair of scolding eyes and flat-lined lips.

  “Damn, you act like you’ve never seen boobs before. Give me the ball, bro.” I handed it to her before she strided back down the bleachers and onto the court. Once she was out of earshot, my teammates couldn’t wait to clown me.

  “Bruhhh, are you a virgin or somethin’? I swear you were on stuck for a minute straight lookin’ at her rack.”

  “Nah, man. I was just...reading her jersey.” That was easily the worst lie I could’ve came up with considering their practice jerseys were identical to ours.

  “Bullshit. Everybody knows Ava has some big ass titties. I bet she has to wear two or three sports bras a game.” All the boys laughed but my eyes were back on the girl I now knew was named Ava.

  She was gorgeous, with her long, red hair pulled back into a high ponytail accessorized with a Nike headband and a face so flawless you would’ve thought she was in one of those face wash commercials. I was sure a lot of her shape was muted by the baggy practice gear but there were still undeniable hints of an athletic but womanly frame. She looked nothing like the other girls I knew on the team.

  How the hell did I miss her?

  I watched intently as she dribbled down the court, giving a little crossover before she set up the play for her team. She quickly realized how scrambled the defense was and dribbled right past her defender at the speed of light into an easy lay-up. It was a textbook move, but she did it with a finesse that only an experienced baller could do it.

  “Ava is the fuckin’ truth, man. I don’t know why she keeps actin’ like she doesn’t wanna talk to ya boy.”

  I didn’t wanna sound too thirsty for the details but I couldn’t help asking, “You tried to talk to her before?”

  “Hell yeah. A couple times. But ever since I messed with her little sister, she’s not feelin’ me.”

  Well duh.

  Instead of responding to Cam, I focused my attention back on Ava. She was hanging out at the three-point line with her hands on her knees and her ponytail slung against her shoulder while one of her teammates shot a pair of free throws. Even though the girl missed the first free throw, Ava still went in and gave her a pat on the back before pointing out to her teammates what defense they were gonna go into once the girl shot the second
free throw. Every one of her teammates listened attentively and it was then that I knew just how in control she was.

  It was sexy as hell.

  “Miles, pick up your lip dude. You don’t stand a chance with Ava.”

  “Who said I wanted a chance with Ava?” Even though in my head I knew it was the truth, it was the last thing I wanted somebody like Cam to know. We were cool and all but it didn’t take long for me to recognize that he was a talker; meaning if he had any idea what I was even thinking, it would be campus news before I could make it home that night.

  “That drool hangin’ from your lip said it all.” I gave my lips a quick swipe and found out Cam was just fuckin’ with me. He laughed me off as he said, “Gullible ass. You got a lot to learn, freshman.”

  ava.

  He was even cuter in person.

  But that was the thing.

  He wasn’t fine, or sexy, or handsome. He was cute, because that was the only thing you could call a little ass boy. Not that he was little in size, or presence, or hell anything for that matter. But he was…young.

  I was gathering my things from my locker when my coach called me into his office. I finished packing my duffle bag before I threw it over my shoulder and headed his way.

  “Sup, Coach?”

  “Have a seat, Ava.” I didn’t like his tone but I knew I didn’t do anything to be in trouble over so I did as he asked, plopping down in one of the chairs in front of his desk.

  “The Athletic Director is looking to do some promo shoots for the upcoming season. He needs a representative from our team and I thought I’d ask you since you’re our lone senior.” I wasn’t really a fan of the limelight. I was only there to get my degree and play ball. But since it felt like more of a favor, I replied, “Sure, I’ll do it.”

  “Great! I’ll get you the info at practice tomorrow. I’m sure they’ll be pairing you with one of the guys from the boy’s team but it shouldn’t be a problem. You’re pretty cool with most of them right?”

  Well, everybody except for that…kid.

  “Uh, yeah. Yeah, I know them. It’ll be fine,” I assured him. He quickly thanked me before sending me on my way.

  I was already envisioning another night of Netflix and chill: solo edition, when I heard someone call out to me the second I stepped out of the locker room. I turned around and found the kid heading my way, changed out of his basketball clothes to a casual t-shirt and jeans, carrying a duffle bag of his own.

  I’d be damned if he didn’t look good as hell in regular clothes. In just those short seconds of me noticing him, I was able to take in his creamy, milk chocolate skin, his face coated with stubble in all the right places, and his brilliantly-crafted lips as if his mother got to design them herself.

  He did a little jog to catch up to me and I tried to show how unenthused I was to talk to him even though my heart had started racing after catching a whiff of his freshly showered scent.

  “Can I help you?” He gave me a once-over and I rolled my eyes though I couldn’t deny the little hairs that suddenly wanted nothing to do with my skin.

  He gave a confident smirk before he rubbed his stubble while replying, “Actually you can. I was wondering if you could teach me that spin-move you used? That shit was lethal.” I knew the boys had stayed and watched most of practice, but I hadn’t considered the fact that he could’ve been watching me. And not just watching me to ogle me, but actually watching me for my skills.

  I readjusted my bag on my shoulder as I said, “I’m sure you can find it on YouTube or something.”

  “Damn superstar, you got it like that?”

  “Don’t act all surprised that a girl can have a highlight tape. I earned that shit.” My artificial attitude was definitely working in my favor but his confidence didn’t seem to waver as he ran a hand over his mouth before flashing that beautiful smile I remembered from the interview.

  “Let me guess, Gatorade Player of the Year? Ms. Basketball? All-American?”

  I shifted all of my weight to my right leg and crossed my arms over my chest before I said, “And the list goes on.” It wasn’t that I was cocky, but I had certainly worked hard to achieve those goals.

  “Damn. I feel you, beautiful.”

  Beautiful?

  I know this little boy is not tryna run game on me.

  “Well, since you know where to find my moves, I’m gonna get going.” I was walking away, but I could hear the swish of his duffle bag against his jeans from behind me as he worked to catch up.

  “Wait up, ma. That wasn’t the only thing I wanted to ask you.” I stopped, but my heart kept going as it was busy swooning at his usage of the word “ma”. I would’ve sworn he was from the East Coast with how fluently the little word seemed to flow off of his tongue.

  “What else? Wanna know how I keep my jump shot consistent? How I lock people down on defense? How I time my shot-blocking?”

  “No. I wanted to ask you if you were busy this weekend.”

  I know his little ass is not about to ask me on a date.

  I mean, I was just sure being the Phenom that he was, there were girls banging down his door left and right. What business did he have trying that shit with me?

  “Yep. I’m busy.”

  Liar.

  He looked legitimately disappointed as he replied, “Damn. I was gonna ask if you wanted to come hoop with us. We play pick-up ball on the weekends and I could surely use a sharpshooter like you on my squad.”

  So not only was he checking out my game, he respected it enough to want me on his team?

  Not in his line-up of women but his line-up of actual players?

  Suddenly, I wanted to make my fake busy-ness go away.

  “Oh. Umm...when do ya’ll play?” The question came out shaky as if I was nervous.

  Nervous for what?

  “Usually Saturday around noon or so.”

  I gave my ponytail a smoothing swipe before I said, “I may be free around then.” I tried to sound casual though my thoughts were all over the place. It was like no matter how hard I worked to keep control of the situation, none of it was actually in my hands.

  “Cool. I’ll text you the location and everything.”

  “How are you gonna text me if you don’t have my number?” It wasn’t that I was purposely trying to offer it to him, but I knew it was impossible for me to get the details without him actually being able to get in touch with me.

  “Aww damn, you’re right.” He made quick work of grabbing his phone from the pocket of his jeans before he typed in his passcode and handed it to me. “Plug in your number and I’ll add you to our little group chat or somethin’.” I did as he asked, not really sure of what I was getting myself into, before I handed his phone back to him.

  “Now can I get going?”

  He flashed me another smile before he politely replied, “For sure, ma. I’ll see you later.”

  miles.

  I was trying my hardest not to use Ava’s phone number for my own selfish reasons. I did want her to play hoops with us but I also wanted to find out more about her, see what she was like, see what she looked like in something other than basketball shorts though she did look good as hell in ‘em.

  I could already tell Ava was a different breed by the way she seemed so unbothered during our little conversation. Most girls were just excited that I said a word to them but Ava could’ve cared less if I even looked her way, making her that much more attractive.

  I wanted her.

  I wasn’t sure how I was gonna get her but I knew it was gonna happen one way or another.

  Since I didn’t wanna give in and text her but I couldn’t go to sleep, I went to YouTube like she directed me to and typed her name in the search bar. A few different videos came up so I picked the one with the most views to watch. My eyes were glued to my handheld screen as I watched clips of Ava going to work on the basketball court in high school. She looked like a woman amongst girls as she blasted pass people to the rim, making girls fa
ll with her crossover, and using the exact spin move I asked her about.

  I definitely had to add that to my game.

  Somehow, after watching the third video of her ballin’ out, I felt a text was justified.

  Yo, if your game now is anything like it was in high school, I’m officially a fan, ma.-Miles

  When ten minutes went past, I figured she must’ve already went to sleep. I busied myself with Instagram and Twitter until a text surprisingly came in.

  Ava: It’s actually gotten quite a bit better.

  I was getting ready to reply when another text came in.

  Ava: And what does this have to do with the group chat you were supposed to add me to?

  It was a fair question and honestly one that didn’t surprise me coming from her.

  Miles: Just wanted you to know that I did my research like you told me to.

  I called it research but being able to watch her fine ass run circles around her competition was more of a treat than anything.

  Ava: Well did you find what you were looking for?

  Miles: That and more. Your crossover game is lit, beautiful.

  A little flirting wouldn’t hurt; right?

  Ava: Go ahead and take notes, kiddo.

  Kiddo?

  I thought about correcting her, letting her know that there wasn’t a kid bone left in my body. But instead I chose to avoid confrontation by replying: I got you. You can test me on them later.

  It was a shame how excited I was about there actually being a later.

  Ava: Deal. Now go to bed.

  Miles: Can’t sleep.

  I was trying to prolong the conversation anyway I could.

  Ava: Not my problem. Goodnight little dude.

  I smiled to myself, finding her attitude so amusing. It was actually more of a turn-on than a turn-off though I was sure she didn’t care either way.

  Miles: That’s messed up. I thought we were cool.

  Maybe guilt tripping her would get her to at least keep texting me.

  Ava: I don’t even know you.