The PreGame Ritual (Lynstone University Book 1) Read online

  “Absolutely! We appreciate your time and good luck in the draft next week!”

  “Thank you very much.” The cameraman’s light went off and I shook hands with the broadcaster before heading back to the stands.

  In no time at all, the national anthem was sung and the game was tipped off.

  ←&→

  I was jealous.

  Flamingly jealous.

  So jealous I was plotting ways on how I could ruin the moment without it looking planned out.

  Miles was holding the championship trophy near and dear like a newborn baby with his team all crowded around him in matching championship shirts and hats. I really did want to rush the court like some of the other students had, but instead I just watched proudly from afar since my emotions were still extremely tender from the night before.

  And besides, if I got too close to him I’d be tempted to snatch the trophy and run.

  Or at least knock it out of his hand.

  On accident.

  The same broadcaster that interviewed me was now the emcee as the team was ushered to the makeshift stage in the middle of the court.

  “We would like to congratulate the Lynstone Tigers on being the 2015 Men’s College Basketball Champions.” The crowd went nuts with cheers. “But, we still have one more trophy to give out tonight; the award for MVP of the game. And that goes to...your very own freshman Phenom, Miles Harris!” I couldn’t help cheering along with the crowd as I watched Miles pass the championship trophy to a coach before squeezing through the crowd of his teammates to the front of the stage and accepting his MVP award. He raised it above his head as his teammates gave him pats on the back and though it made me even more jealous, I managed to be happy for him.

  But then he took the mic.

  And I instantly got nervous because that certainly wasn’t part of the program.

  “Really quick; I’d like to dedicate this trophy to my girl Ava. You’re the real MVP, ma.”

  Oh. My. God.

  The crowd started gushing and cheering and I even looked up just in time to see myself on the jumbotron, blushing my ass off.

  “Love you, ma.”

  The crowd let out a synchronized “Awwwww” and all I could do was smile.

  I mean, leave it to Miles to use his unforgettable moment to make my day brighter.

  “I love you too,” I said out loud as though he could hear me. But of course it didn’t take my actual words for him to know what I said.

  He felt it.

  miles.

  “No, Ava. I refuse to watch this shit.”

  I don’t know what Ava was thinking even bringing that DVD over to my crib after the game. While all my teammates were out partying it up, I was at home with my girl whining to me about why we should watch that damn movie for the billionth time.

  And I wouldn’t have had it any other way.

  “But Miles, you know its my favorite.” I snatched her up, positioning her right between my legs on the bed.

  I kissed along her neckline as I told her, “Well, when you win a championship, we can do your favorite shit. Tonight is mine, Ava.”

  She smacked the back of her teeth, turning to me with a stank face. “Too soon, Miles. Way too soon.” I quickly pulled her back into my embrace.

  “I’m sorry, ma. I didn’t mean it like that. I just…can we do something else? Please?”

  “Fine. What do you wanna do then Mr. MVP?”

  “How about we try something new?” I asked, as I took a few nibbles on her ear.

  Her breathing pattern was beginning to change from my quest, but she still replied clearly, “New like what?”

  “Like a… post-game ritual,” I said, capitalizing my words with kisses to her collarbone.

  I could hear the hint of tease in her voice as she responded, “Seriously, Miles? Post-game ritual? Must I remind you, you’re grown as hell. If you want some pussy just ask for it.” I laughed to myself, remembering the time I had used an identical line.

  “So now I’m grown as hell, huh? What happened to all that too young shit?” I had been looking forward to this moment for a long time. The moment I could finally call her out on what she had thankfully changed her mind about. Instead of waiting for an answer, I slid from under her, letting her land on her back so that I could climb on top of her. The way she looked up at me with a smile warmed me completely.

  “Flew outta the window the second you… mmm… started doing that.” My kisses became more intense now that I had full access to all of her.

  I kissed my way down her body as I asked, “So you like my young ass, huh?”

  “Mmmhmm. Love you.”

  “You love me?” I asked, continuing my quest of kissing every inch of her.

  “I love you. I love…me…some…you.” She punctuated each of my kisses with her profession of love, turning me on even more.

  “Tell me again.”

  “I… shitttt…” I didn’t even let her get it out before I started kissing and licking the inside of her upper thighs. Still, I urged her to get it out.

  “Tell me, Ava. Tell me you love me.” I had her fired up, antsy for me to touch where I really should’ve been a long time ago instead of wasting our time even discussing that movie.

  “I love you, Miles.”

  I’ll never get tired of hearing that shit.

  “Good. Now let’s keep it that way.”

  ←&→

  It was her night.

  Draft night.

  The night she had been working for since she was a little baby baller.

  And I couldn’t be more proud to be by her side; especially when she was looking like she was.

  Fuckin’ perfect.

  The custom-made designer dress clung to every inch of her frame, lifted high in the front but hanging low in the back, giving the perfect view of her athletic ass. And of course she chose red, giving straight Jessica Rabbit vibes but with more sophistication.

  I had been dressed for at least an hour, chopping it up with her cool ass mom, while a team prepped and primed her for the slew of cameras that were bound to come her way once she was announced as the number one pick. It was really no secret after the season she had, but that didn’t mean she wasn’t a nervous wreck.

  “I’m gonna bust this dress wide open if we don’t get out of here soon.”

  “Just relax, baby. You look gorgeous,” Ava’s mom chimed in, as she adjusted her own hair in the mirror.

  “Easy for you to say, Mom. You get to wear a comfortable dress instead of being shoved into fabric like me.” I knew Ava was struggling wearing clothes that actually fit. She was use to baggy basketball clothes or nothing at all; no in between.

  Just how I liked it.

  “She’s right, Ava. You look so beautiful, ma. Too beautiful for your own good really.” Now that everybody knew she was mine, I wasn’t expecting to have any run-ins. But I stayed ready for somebody to try her regardless.

  Her mom wrapped an arm around my shoulder, “See, Ava. And you were talking about him being too young. He’s the perfect gentleman.”

  “Ohhh, so you were talking to Moms about me huh?” I teased.

  Her mom pulled me in tighter, “Honey, you had her in a rut like I’ve never seen; blaming her bad games on you and all. But that’s how I knew she loved you. Ava doesn’t let a lot of people affect her when it comes to basketball.”

  “I know that feeling all too well and being perfectly honest, she did the same for me.”

  Ava rolled her eyes, trying to hide the blush that rushed to her cheeks. “Enough with the sap. Let’s get downstairs and get this thing over with.”

  With Ava on one arm and her mom on the other, I escorted them both down the hall and to the elevator that took us to the holding place for the draftees. Once we made it to ground level, we followed the signs to a room filled with reporters all trying to get quotes before the draft actually began.

  “Good luck, baby girl,” her mom said, as she gave her a light kiss
on the cheek.

  “Thanks, Mama. Don’t act all crazy when they announce my name, alright?”

  “Oh chile, I’ve waited too long for this moment not to act crazy. I’m talkin’, ‘That’s my baby!’ crazy.”

  Ava’s face was mortified as she replied, “Oh my God! You better not!”

  “I’m kidding. Geeeez. I won’t ruin it for you, Ava. I promise. Now your father on the other hand…”

  “Oh God, I didn’t even get a chance to warn him!”

  Her mom quickly reassured her, “It’s okay, I’ll tell him.”

  “Good luck, ma. Don’t fall.”

  “Asshole. I won’t.” I gave her a little kiss of my own and was heading to the main room when she called out to me. “Hey Miles!” I turned back around and found her wearing the shiest smile. “Thanks again…for coming.”

  “Wouldn’t miss it for the world, ma.”

  ava.

  I couldn’t breathe.

  I wasn’t sure if it was the dress limiting my oxygen intake or the fact that I was nervous beyond reason, but it literally felt like nothing was flowing.

  After doing interview after interview, it was finally show time. My legs felt like noodles as they introduced the draftees by college. Lynstone was a good middle man alphabetically, so I at least didn’t have to come out first. All I had to do was smile, give a little wave, and make it to my table.

  You got this, Ava.

  Once my name was called, I took a limited deep breath and followed the line around the room up to my table. The lights were hot against my skin and so bright that I could hardly see in front of me. The cheers were loud though the room didn’t seem completely at capacity. I guess people were just happy to see me.

  After walking the equivalent of a runway, I finally located the table of my family and friends, Miles included. He stood up to pull out my chair, giving me a light kiss on the cheek before I sat down. Though my dad wasn’t too happy about the act, my mom practically had tears welling up in her eyes.

  “Sis, you have to let me get that dress when you’re done wearing it.”

  Of course Avery could only focus on the fashion aspect. At least something other than my man was catching her interest.

  “Consider it yours, Avery.” I was glad we had rebounded from our little cat fight and had actually began to grow closer from the situation. Once she understood that she didn’t stand a chance with Miles, it really didn’t take long for her to move on.

  “Welcome to the 2015 Draft. We are so excited to welcome this new class of draftees and we wish all of you ladies the best of luck. Now, without further ado, I’m pleased to announce with the first pick in this year’s draft, the Los Angeles Sparks have selected…” My heart was a drumroll on its on. I watched intently as the commissioner ripped open a tiny envelope like this was the Oscars or one of those other fancy award shows.

  “Ava Daniels!” I immediately started clapping until I realized…

  Oh shit.

  That’s me!

  I stood up, trying to hold back the tears as I smoothed out my dress. I took the few steps from my seat over to my mom to give her the biggest hug. I found my dad and gave him a kiss on the cheek. Then I found Miles, who looked more excited than me about the announcement.

  “Congratulations, ma.” Instead of responding, I planted a lingering kiss on his lips.

  I couldn’t have written the moment any better myself.

  miles.

  My smile wasn’t working.

  Everything about it felt fake, forced, something I hardly expected.

  It was literally the happiest day of Ava’s life. She went first in the draft as she always imagined it. But I had the hardest time matching her bliss for my own selfish reasons.

  Since the LA Sparks came into the draft with the number one pick, I always assumed that’s where she would go meaning we would only be an hour or two away from each other.

  But then the unimaginable happened.

  The LA Sparks traded her to the Atlanta Dream. Seeing her holding up the jersey of a team that was clear across the country gave me the craziest mix of emotions. I was beyond ecstatic to see her dream manifest, but I wasn’t sure what her leaving the state was going to mean for us.

  Were we gonna try the whole long distance thing?

  Or had our relationship simply ran its course?

  It was all so confusing and though I tried to hide it as we took a million pictures and accepted even more congratulations, I could tell Ava had picked up on it. Once we made it back to our hotel room, she dug right in.

  “Miles, what’s the matter with you?”

  I shrugged as I draped my suit jacket over the back of a couch in our suite. “Nothin’, ma. Just thinking about some things.”

  She had a hint of humor to her tone as she asked, “What kind of things?”

  “Us things.”

  She crossed her arms over her chest before prying deeper. “I’m gonna need a little more than that, Miles. Tell me what’s going on.”

  I didn’t wanna get too deep into things, so I tried to make it sound like less of a big deal as I responded, “I guess I just never imagined you going anywhere else but LA.”

  “Me neither but I knew it was always a possibility. That’s just how the league works.” It was certainly nothing new to me, but that still didn’t mean I liked it.

  “Yeah I know. But I... nevermind. Let’s just celebrate the night.” I plopped down on the bed and started taking off my shoes and she sat down right next to me.

  “No, Miles. What are you thinking?”

  I knew it was the last thing I should’ve been bringing up, but I wasn’t very fond of storytelling. So instead of bullshittin’, I turned to her and politely insisted, “Ma...can we not go there tonight? I don’t wanna ruin this for you.”

  Her face twisted in confusion as she questioned, “Ruin? Now you definitely have to tell me what’s going on.”

  Don’t do it, bruh.

  Don’t do it.

  Shit.

  “Fine, Ava. If you’re going all the way to Atlanta, what does that mean...for us?”

  I felt pathetic as hell asking, especially when I received her nonchalant ass response of, “I... don’t know. I guess I hadn’t even thought about that.”

  “Right. Which is why we don’t need to go there tonight.” I scooted to the headboard of the bed, not bothering with my slacks or my untucked dress shirt. And of course she followed me up.

  “Well it’s already brought up now.”

  I remained stoic. “Still don’t have to go there.”

  “Miles…”

  “What, ma? I’m tryna save us from this conversation but you’re steady askin’ for it.” I really didn’t wanna fight, I didn’t wanna ruin her day, and I certainly didn’t wanna come to any bad conclusions.

  “What did you expect me to do? Sit down and shut up? Let you be all...fake happy for me?”

  “Fake happy? What are you talkin’ about, Ava? I am happy for you. I’m just not happy about what this could mean for us.”

  Everything about her body language appeared withdrawn as she quietly said, “Maybe there isn’t…. an us.”

  Even though she spoke it sweetly and softly, that didn’t mean I was gonna sweep it under the rug. “Excuse me?”

  “Miles, you’re young. You have your whole career ahead of you. I get it. I’m not gonna hold you back from that.” I couldn’t believe she had the nerve to bring up my age again like that really had anything to do with this conversation.

  “Hold me back? Yo, you are for real buggin’ right now. Like where is this even coming from?”

  She turned away from me, only offering me her back as she spoke, “I’ve been thinking about this for a little while now and I… I guess I’m just trying to make this whole thing easier on us. You know?”

  “No, I don’t know, Ava.”

  She peeked over her shoulder, catching my eyes, before quickly turning back away. Even from that little glimpse, I cou
ld tell she was struggling with what she really wanted to say. The silence lingered for a few moments before she finally spoke, “Miles, look. I wanna thank you...for everything. I mean these past couple months have been…”

  I cut her off, “Why the fuck does this feel like a break-up speech?”

  She finally turned back my way and I could clearly see the tears that had formed in her eyes. “I guess in a way, it is. I mean, you don’t think we could really pull the whole long distance thing off, do you? You’ll be here, doing your whole college thing and I’ll be clear across the country doing the exact opposite.”

  I scooted closer to her, grabbing her hands as I told her, “So what? What does that have to do with anything? When you love someone, you do what you gotta do to make it work, adversities included. Why are you giving up so easily?”

  “Because this… this isn’t about love for me, Miles. This is about life; reality.” It was as though our love and her life weren’t intertwined. For me, I couldn’t do one without the other. But for her, I was just a… moment.

  “Well apparently your reality is a lot different than mine. I’m out of here.” I hopped off of the bed, snatching my shoes off the ground on my way out of the room. She grabbed me by my arm just as my hand landed on the doorknob.

  “Miles, wait!”

  “No, Ava. I’ve already been waiting, all this time, for you to see how down for you I am; how much I care about you, how much I love you. But to know you’re willing to throw all that shit away...just like that? Nah, ma. I’m out.” She tried to hang on to my arm, but I still managed to snatch away and leave. I could hear her sobbing through the door and though it pained me to hear her crying - hurt me to the core -, turning back to get the same conclusion would’ve just hurt us both even more.

  I had to go.

  ava.

  I sat in my room confused - bewildered really - on how things had gotten to this point. One minute we were smiling for the seemingly endless pictures as a couple; a couple truly, madly, and deeply in love. And by that night, we were done?