Grace

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Today is the big day.

It’s UCONN verse New Hampshire, and not only is it the rivalry that’s become more of a pure hatred between the two schools, thanks to one of their players almost ending the career of my man, Tommy Mason, but also because it’s the championship game.

Roy Myers. Number six. That’s the name of the guy who kicked Tommy and took him off the court for three weeks. But like I told Tommy, he’d be back and kicking ass after those few weeks were over, and I was right.

He was all smiles when he came back from that first practice and came into my room, all sweaty and smelly, just like I like him, and kissed me.

“You were right,” he told me. “I’m fine.

“I told you,” I said through a smile. But I didn’t have time to do anything. He took me right there, stripped my shirt off, pulled my leggings down and made love to me on the floor of my dorm, getting me just as sweaty as he was.

Our sex life has been phenomenal. I told Shannon about what happened in the shower, and I could see even she was turned on – and also a little jealous.

After Tommy and I made things official, she started dating a guy from her poetry class, but he ended up being a total jerk. He was needy, jealous and just overly protective to the point where he didn’t want her going out or doing anything without checking in with him first, or without him coming along.

“I just can’t take it!” She told me. “It’s like – I can’t breathe!”

They broke up and she’s been single since. But thankfully, she’s managed to start getting along with Tommy, and doesn’t mind third wheeling it with us when we do things. We’ve even talked about getting a suite next year and having her take one of the rooms and Joey take the other.

Tommy’s been pushing for Joey to ask her out actually, but none of us are really sure how that would go over. I feel like Shannon would say yes, but I also feel like she might just be stubborn and say no out of pride. She’s never had anything nice to say about the guys on the team, but after spending some time with Joey over the last few months, I’d like her to give him a try.

We are making baby steps though. She came to the game today with me, and even though she isn’t wearing a UCONN shirt, she seems pretty excited.

“Wooo wooo!” She shouts beside me, swinging around a little plastic tube that makes a whirring, screeching noise as it picks up speed. “Go UCONN!”

Both teams race out of the locker rooms and onto the court. It’s a home game for us, and the crowd goes wild. Gampel is packed like I’ve never seen it, and the band goes nuts, playing like it’s the last time they’ll ever hold their instruments.

Tommy spots me instantly. I told him where I’d be sitting and he flashes me his smile, followed by a tiny kiss and a pat on his heart. It’s our little gesture and I do it back to him. Shannon groans beside me, pretending it grosses her out, but I know she’s just doing it to mess with me.

The whole school knows who I am now, and if I’m being honest, it’s a little weird. When Tommy pointed at me on that fateful day of his injury, people were talking all over campus. Gossip was rampant and I was getting so many friend requests I had to make my profile private. I was getting looks in class and people were whispering behind my back.

“That’s her, right? From the game?”

“You think she’s his girlfriend?”

“No, way. Tommy Mason with a girlfriend? Gimme a break!”

But we went public. Tommy wasn’t shy at all to let the whole world know I was his, and I can’t even describe how good that made me feel. All the attention sure took some getting used to. I even ended up on camera when one of his games was broadcast on TV. That was weird.

We were open and honest with everyone, and although my life has definitely changed, and I’m now a recognizable face on campus, I wouldn’t change anything.

I can’t stop thinking about the future, but right now that’s not where I need to be. Right now, I need to be here, in the stands, cheering for my man.

“Go, Tommy!” I shout. I’ve become a lot less nervous with all the eyes on me and being the girlfriend of the most famous man on campus.

The players setup for the tipoff. Brant jumps, tips it to Joey, who passes it quickly to Tommy, who instantly hits a three. The crowd roars. Off to a great start.

Nearing the end of the first period, we’re up by seven, and New Hampshire does something that sets the crowd on fire. They bring in Roy Myers. The instant he’s off the bench, the whole stadium erupts with boos and hisses. And as though letting him play wasn’t enough, they actually have him guarding Tommy.

“What the Hell?” Shannon says from beside me. “They’re seriously doing that?”

I bite my lip and try not to worry. He wouldn’t try something again – would he? He was already suspended once. If he ends up basically assaulted another player, let alone Tommy, they’ll kick him off the team and probably out of school.

There’s no reason to worry, I tell myself.

“He won’t do anything,” I tell Shannon, more for my own reassurance than hers. “He’d get kicked out of school if he tried anything.”

“Yeah, but this is for the championship. Maybe he takes one for the team and drops Tommy so they have a chance at winning.”

“Damn it, Shannon,” I groan. “Why’d you have to say that!?”

Shannon likes to keep it real. Real real, and is always there to keep my head out of the clouds. And now I’m worrying. What if this guy decides to try something with Tommy again? We already had one scare – we don’t need another.

The crowd keeps shouting, but Tommy doesn’t look fazed. There’s no way he’s letting Roy get to him. Nothing gets to Tommy when he’s on the court, when he’s focused, when he’s ready to win. Roy saddles up beside him, getting unnecessarily close, drawing a look from the ref. But Tommy just smiles and gets an inbound pass.

Roy guards Tommy harder than he should, with an arm up and just a little too much contact. He’s trying to intimidate him, but Tommy’s not playing that game. He just passes the ball off to Joey and stands lazily at the top of the key.

Obviously, New Hampshire’s coach has told Roy not to let Tommy out of arm’s reach, because he doesn’t head to the paint to double up on Joey. He just stands by Tommy’s side, doing nothing, while the rest of his team deals with the play.

Tommy casually tosses me a look and winks, with just the hint of a smile. He’s toying with Roy, and he’s not scared. We’re up already, there’s no need to get into it with him this early in the game. That’s what their coach wants. Preoccupy Tommy so the rest of the team can take over. But that’s not going to happen.

Brant dunks the ball and the buzzer sounds for the end of the first period. We’re up by nine and I’m feeling pretty good. Roy’s whispering something to Tommy, trying to get him fired up, but Tommy just laughs and walks to the bench.

That’s my man.

Nothing can stop him. Not New Hampshire. Not Roy, and not some pathetic trash talk.

We’re going to win.