Chapter 18 – Grace
I’ve never been to Gampel before where UCONN plays its home games. The place is so packed. I’ve never felt such energy. There must be thousands of people here, all screaming and cheering, waving foam fingers and sticks in the air. The band is rocking out on another one of their songs designed to pump up the crowd. And it’s working.
I’m sitting by myself. Shannon didn’t come because I intentionally didn’t tell her. How would I explain my sudden change of heart?
“Oh, hey. Tommy and I hooked up in my bed last night while you were sleeping. Yeah, he fingered me and I sucked his dick. No big deal!”
That would go over really well.
Luckily my afternoon was open. To be honest though, I probably would have skipped class just to be here and that is so unlike me. But Tommy has my head spinning and my insides twisted up, and it’s been that way since I met him. The whole experience has been like a whirlwind and I still don’t feel like I have my feet underneath me.
Last night’s events are still fresh in my mind. I didn’t even shower this morning. I wanted to still smell like Tommy. My bed sheets still have his scent on them and I can still remember how he tastes.
I should be brimming over with anxiety in a crowd like this. I can smell beer some freshmen behind me snuck in with them, and the body odor of the people around me. Thankfully it’s not overly hot in here or I’d be very uncomfortable. I’m not the best with crowds of people when I’m alone, but somehow I feel better knowing Tommy is close by.
It’s a weird thing to say, but when I look toward the locker rooms where the team will come out in a few minutes, I instantly feel like I’m a part of all this. Tommy Mason and I have a connection, and it’s one that he hasn’t shared with other girls. I know it. I know it with all my heart and soul and no one will convince me otherwise.
How many girls has Tommy laid with and invited to his game to watch him? I don’t think I’m being naïve when I say probably none. He just doesn’t strike me as that kind of guy.
Just as my mind starts floating off into lovey-dovey Tommy and Grace land, the stadium around me goes nuts and the team jogs out from the locker rooms and takes the court. I’ve never been into sports, but even I have to admit it’s exciting. I see Joey, Tommy’s roommate, come out and make a layup and pass to another player. And then I see Tommy.
He moves like he’s the king of the court, just overflowing with confidence like I’ve never seen. He’s a different man right now – not the romantic man I laid with last night. No, this is a man on a mission, and that mission is to win.
Joey bounces a pass to him and Tommy shoots a three. Swish. Watching him is even hotter than I thought it would be. He’s in his element and I can’t wait to see what happens when the game begins.
The two teams warm up for a while and then the game begins. Honestly, I really have no idea what goes on in a basketball game besides one team trying to get the ball in the other team’s basket, but what I do know is that Tommy is every bit the man they say he is, and more.
It’s clear that he’s miles ahead of the rest of the guys on the court and he’s destined for the pros. By the end of the first quarter he’s already scored seventeen points and it’s very clear the other team is doing everything they can to slow him down. Whenever he’s got the ball, instantly there are two guys covering him.
But it doesn’t matter. The other team has a guy that must be almost seven feet tall, and he keeps trying to block Tommy’s shots, but Tommy’s too fast. He fakes him out and hits a three-pointer, then steals it from him on defense, and passes it to Joey, who makes an easy layup.
The crowd’s going wild and I start to understand why these games are as popular as they are. But my thoughts aren’t on the people around me, the thousands of cell phones and screaming fans. They’re on Tommy, last night, and all the nights to come.
I’m lost in the game for the entire first half. I’ve seen Tommy eye the stands from time to time, but his mind is on the game, and I totally understand. I want him to see me though. I want him to know that I did come to support him. I am pretty sure he believed me when I told him I would, but still, I want him to see me.
UCONN is up by twelve at the half when the buzzer sounds and the team gives each other high fives and heads back to the locker rooms. And that’s when Tommy stops at the bench, turns and scans the crowd with his eyes. But his back is toward me. He’s looking the wrong way.
“Tommy!” I shout like an idiot. There’s no way he can hear me over the roar of the other fans calling his name.
He takes a step toward the locker room and my heart sinks. He’s not going to see me. But then, he turns back and looks my way. Instantly, I’m on my feet waving my arms like a lunatic. Of course, I probably don’t look any more excited than anyone else around me, but for me, it’s pretty outgoing.
“Tommy!” I shout again, still hopeful that he will somehow hear me and find me in the crowd. But it’s just too loud. His eyes scan across the arena, over the band, a small group of fans for the other team, booing and jeering him. He completely ignores them and then finally, he sees me.
I squeal like a little girl and wave, showing him my UCONN t-shirt I bought in the lobby downstairs. His eyes light up when he sees me and he smiles, giving me that trademark Tommy Mason grin. My heart swells as he raises his arm and points to me.
Instantly, every face in the arena is on me.
“Who is that?”
“Who is he pointing at?”
“Is that his girlfriend or something?”
I hear the voices and whispers all around me as people try to figure out why Tommy is pointing at some random girl in the stands. I feel like all the house lights have come down and there’s a spotlight on only me. Goosebumps break out all over my body and I look around me to a thousand inquisitive faces. People are filming me with their phones and I just know I’m going to be all over the internet within minutes.
What is he doing to me!?
I turn to him and must look like a total deer in the headlights. But Tommy just laughs, smiles at me, waves, and turns around and heads back to the locker room.
“Seriously, is that his girlfriend?” A girl squeaks behind me. I turn and give her a sidelong glance and see that she’s a sorority type, going for the cheerleader look, with a cutoff t-shirt made into a crop top and a mini skirt. She’s shooting daggers at me with her eyes, and as I turn back around, I can only smile.