“Hey, Kage,” I replied nonchalantly without breaking stride, hoping he’d catch the hint that I wasn’t in the mood to entertain him.
Of course he didn’t, changing his route in favor of mine when he asked, “You see the game last night?”
“I didn’t,” I lied, hoping that’d be enough to dead the conversation. But really, it only seemed to put a battery in his back as he started rattling off his stats that went in one ear and out of the other since one, I already knew them and two, I didn’t really care right now.
Being completely honest, the only reason I hadn’t told him to get out of my face was because he was so stinkin’ cute; like a puppy that you would never buy for yourself but would gleefully pet the hell out of if it belonged to someone else. And with that on my mind, it was hard not to smile when I stopped to put a hand to his arm and told him, “Better luck next year, K.”
He looked down at it like he couldn’t believe I was actually touching him, an immediate smirk growing to his lips as he licked them to say, “I think you got a little more than just luck to offer me, Selena.”
“Boy!” I squealed with a smack to his chest and a fit of giggles, not even pretending I wasn’t tickled by the exchange as I left him in the dust while he shouted after me, “Ready to make it real when you are, baby!”
Shaking my head, I curled back into the training room to find Ari organizing her supplies, my continued giggles prompting her to peek up at me and comment, “From the smile on your face, I assume your little meeting with Kat went well.”
With a toss of my hand towards where I’d just come from, I explained, “Nah, I just ran into Kage in the hallway.”
Her eyebrow piqued. “And he’s got you cheesin’ like that? Uh oh. Sounds like somebody might be ready to pull the ice cream truck over after all.”
That only made me giggle again. “Girl, no. He was just being silly.”
“And you clearly enjoyed the jokes. Mmhm. You ain’t low, Selena.”
Since I knew it was just her nature to make something out of nothing, especially when it came to Kage, I brushed her off with an exaggerated, “Anyway. You won’t believe what happened.”
The look she responded with urged me to give her a quick rundown of my first interaction with Dre, doing a bunch of giggling of her own by the time I finished when she playfully scolded, “That’s what your ass gets. But like, is he really as fine as he looked in that headshot?”
Now that he wasn’t right in my face, I could let out how I truly felt, practically moaning when I thought about his full lips and admitted, “Finer than fine, Ari. Like, if Kat’s riding that every night and hired him because of it, I can’t even be mad.”
That only made her giggle again. “So now you support the hire?”
“I didn’t say all that. I just… understand it. Under those specific conditions,” I clarified, honestly feeling a little bit jealous as I thought about Kat being able to wake up with the scent of his cologne on her sheets every morning.
Apparently, my jealousy was a bit premature since Ari was quick to remind me, “You mean, the specific conditions you made up in your head with no actual evidence to back it up?”
While she was right that there was nothing concrete I could point to to legitimize my claims, I still shared the one nugget I had picked up on during my ambush. “The second I mentioned him, she jumped to his defense.”
“Which sounds normal of a boss who truly believes in her hiring abilities. No one wants to be wrong about something like this, Selena,” Ari replied, not only debunking my theory but also bringing whose side she was really on into question.
Crossing my arms over my chest, I asked, “So now you’re on the Dre Leonard bandwagon too?”
Instead of fiercely speaking against it, she only shrugged. “I’m not on it. But I’m not off it either. I’m like, hanging out on the platform, but I haven’t actually bought my ticket yet. Just peepin’ the view. Weighing the pros and cons. Keeping an open mind.”
Even if she didn’t think so, her answer sounded more yes than no, making me purse my lips together in a frown as I grabbed my bag and groaned, “Anyway. I need to get home cause it’s right back here tomorrow for media day, and Lord knows I’ll need all the energy I can get to deal with both him and the press.”
“You talkin’ about Dre or Kage?” Ari asked, only making my frown grow tighter before I responded with the obvious.
“Dre. Why would I be stressed over Kage?”
From the immediate look of amusement on her face, I already knew what her angle would be, especially once she avoided my eyes to answer, “I mean, one day you’re calling him silly and the next day he’s going silly with his tongue on your pussy popsicle. Plus, I know a big dick strut when I see it, Selena. And that one? He should have a permit for all that he’s carrying.”
“Goodbye, Ari!” I squealed with a giggle on my way out, pulling my phone from my pocket to entertain myself for the walk from the arena to the parking garage until I heard a now definitely familiar voice calling after me.
“Selena, wait up.”
Secretly, I wanted to pick up the pace and pretend like I hadn’t heard him. But considering we were the only two in the area, I knew it would’ve been a stretch, forcing me to turn back his way where I found him standing a lot closer than I thought he’d be. I mean, a lot closer than I thought he’d be, literally towering over me when he started, “Look. We clearly got off on the wrong foot, and that ain’t what I’m here for at all.”
Taking a step back to create some space between us, I gripped into the crossbody strap of my duffle bag to ask, “What are you here for, Dre? Or should I call you Coach Leonard?”
“Right now? Dre is cool. But for media day, Coach Leonard will probably be best since they’re known to be finicky about shit like that,” he replied, offering advice I really didn’t need as a veteran player before he continued, “Now to answer your original question, I’m here to help y’all win that championship I know you’re after.”
It sounded good, but I knew better than to fall for his words alone, cocking my head to the side to challenge, “And what exactly qualifies you to do that outside of your ring with the Trojans? You know, most people in your position settle for coaching their kids’ little league team, or maybe even coaching at their old high school. Not this.”
He shrugged, shoving his hands into his pockets as he replied, “I don’t have any kids, so that knocks that first option off the list. And as far as my old high school goes… being back in my city ain’t really good for me right now.”
So many follow-up questions came to mind, but the only one I felt the need to get an answer to right now was, “And somehow being here is good for you?”
There was a flash of something dark in his eyes as he paused then nodded. “It’s better. I’m better.”
“Katianna Lloyd seems to think so too,” I commented, adjusting my bag on my shoulder as I braced myself for Dre to put some more fuel into my little theory. And honestly, I needed him to put some fuel into my theory so my stares could be more business and less… something else.
The infectious chuckle he let off didn’t help my cause at all, making it hard for me not to crack a tiny smile when he ran a hand over the top of his low fade and answered, “Yeah, I definitely owe her the naming rights of my firstborn or some shit for making this happen.”
Again, tons of follow-up questions came to mind, with the top inquiry being, “Y’all firstborn together, or…?” But instead of allowing this conversation to go on any longer than it needed to, I deaded it completely, tossing a hand over my shoulder towards my truck as I told him, “I… need to get going. Beauty sleep and all that.”
“You don’t need much.”
“Excuse me?”
Instead of owning up to his comment, he only smirked when he answered, “Nothin’. I’ll see you tomorrow, Ms. Samuels,” before taking off back towards wherever he’d come from. And even though I had just told him I needed to get going
, I found myself stuck in place until he disappeared, trying to make sense of what had just happened.
I mean, did he really just…?
“Nah, you’re trippin’,” I decided, mainly so I could finally make a move to my truck. But the whole drive home, those simple four words that should’ve meant nothing remained on my mind, taunting current-me and pleasing fangirl-me all at once.
Two
It was only day one, and I was already fuckin’ up.
Having the star player of my new squad go in on me to upper management before I could even properly introduce myself to her was one thing. But lowkey checking for her after the fact?
Yeah, that shit wasn’t in the plans at all.
I mean, before I’d officially joined the coaching staff, I was already pretty familiar with Selena Samuels. It was hard not to be considering what she was doing for the Nashville Nymphs organization and for the WNBA in general. But thinking she was kinda cute from afar was a lot different than seeing just how damn fine she was up close, her sienna brown skin, big doe eyes, and the braids she wore down to her ass making me feel things a coach definitely shouldn’t be feeling for his player even though it wasn’t like we were that far apart in age.
We’d lived very different lives over those years of difference though, with her spending four years in college and then taking her talents to the professional level for another three going on four now, and me… doing a lot.
Getting banned from the league for violating the drug policy. Going overseas to play and fuckin’ that up too. Coming back to the states to discover I had damn near nothing to my name thanks to who I thought were my friends blowing money that wasn’t theirs to begin with. Trying to rebuild from scratch and turning back to the stuff that got me in trouble in the first place when shit didn’t work out right away. Hitting a new rock bottom...
Honestly, it was painful to even think about in general terms, so I tried not to as much as possible, instead focusing on the positive that was the Lloyd family taking a chance on me to become an assistant coach for their relatively new women’s team after I successfully completed my twelve-step program and enrolled back in school.
When my former boss, Mr. Lloyd, said he had something for me whenever I was ready for it, an opportunity as grand as this was the furthest thing from my mind. But it was his belief - his family’s belief - in me and my abilities that had me believing in myself again, fully-prepared to make the most of this coaching gig even if Selena didn’t think I was worth a damn.
On a personal level, she could think whatever she wanted to. But on a professional level, I wasn’t having that shit since I’d already learned the hard way what it was like when you wasted your chances. And being real, I couldn’t afford it.
So if I had to repeatedly make that clear with her, it was what it was. As long as me repeatedly making that clear with her didn’t turn into more of the lust-filled looks she liked to give even when she didn’t realize she was giving them. It was almost like her head was telling her to hate me for whatever reason, but her heart was saying something different; a something different I couldn’t put energy in decoding since doing something with that information almost guaranteed getting myself into some trouble.
Again, I couldn’t afford that. But what I could afford was doing my job and staying in my lane which meant getting a good night’s rest so that I was ready to take on the media the next day.
In my head, I was hoping they’d take it easy on me since it was going to be my first time really dealing with the unfiltered press as a coach. But in my gut, I had a feeling that wouldn’t be the case since I’d never given a straight answer to the question everyone had been asking me for the last five or so years - what happened?
Kat had already coached me up on what to say, had given me strategies on how to redirect the conversation back to the Nymphs. But even with that, I was still nervous as hell as I made my way out onto the court that seemed a little empty compared to what I was expecting - or rather, what I had grown used to over with the Trojans.
There were still enough people to have me shook though, my shoulders tense as I felt a gentle hand against my lower back followed by an even gentler voice asking, “Ready to do this, Coach?”
Peeking down, I found the head coach of the Nymphs, Sugar Daniels, looking up at me with the most pleasant smile like she knew I needed it, bringing me some relief as I admitted, “Not quite, but I’ll rise to the occasion.”
If there was anyone who understood that phrase, it was Sugar who had spent her whole life rising up to folks trying to play her for just barely being over five foot tall. But what she lacked in height, she made up in passion and effort that carried her through college ball, a stint playing professional, and then some time in front of the camera as an analyst and commentator for both leagues before the Nymphs snatched her up to coach last year.
Nodding with understanding, she replied, “I know this ain’t your first time to the rodeo, Dre. But just remember, these folks have a special sixth sense for bullshit and will happily press you on it with follow-up questions; especially if it’s something exclusive that’ll make their little blog pop.”
“Trust me, I couldn’t forget that if I wanted to cause I’ve definitely made some shit pop off in the past.”
Of course, those weren’t my proudest moments, but it was the truth. A truth that made her chuckle when she assured, “You’ll do great.”
“Appreciate it, Sugar,” I quietly replied as we both directed our attention to the makeshift press conference set up once Kat tapped the mic to get everyone’s attention then gave an introduction.
“Welcome to the official Nashville Nymphs media day. We’re happy to have you all joining us and look forward to your continued coverage throughout the season. Now, first to take questions will be our head and assistant coach, Sugar Daniels and DeAndre Leonard, followed by our starting veteran trio, and finally our two rookies. After that, all coaches and players, including the reserves, will be available for one-on-ones.”
Like it was news to me, I started nodding along with the rest of the media members present until I saw Kat waving Sugar and I to the front, the gesture making me swallow hard as I followed Sugar’s lead and took the seat labeled with my name for the first time in what felt like forever.
Somehow, it still felt like home.
Being in front of the press, sitting behind a mic to take questions, it still felt... familiar.
And you would’ve thought everyone could read my mind since the first question posed to me after the reporter rattled off his name and credentials was, “Dre, how does it feel to be back in Nashville under a new title?”
An easy smile came to my lips as I answered, “It feels great. I’m extremely grateful for Kat and the rest of the Lloyd family giving me this opportunity, and I’m excited for the season to get underway.”
“Why the Nymphs and not the Trojans?”
If I hadn’t prepped for this shit with Kat, the question might’ve tripped me up. But because we had, extensively, my easy smile remained as I told him, “I take opportunities as they come, and this was the one presented to me.”
“But wouldn’t you rather be with the Trojans? Or did they not want you after your ban was lifted?” he pressed, making me cringe even though it was expected since… of course they’d want to talk about the ban.
Releasing a heavy sigh, I parted my lips to give my rehearsed answer until I saw Sugar lean towards her mic to respond, “When Dre’s name came up, I jumped at the chance to add him to my staff before the Trojans could even think about it. The ban he faced as a player was an unfortunate situation. But that ban didn’t eliminate his ability to see the court in ways none of us can, a skill that will aid us tremendously as we battle to get this team back to the playoffs and beyond.”
Her gesture was unexpected but greatly appreciated, especially since it directed the attention off of me and onto her as another reporter listed her credentials then asked, “Sugar, now that you’ve of
ficially gotten a season under your belt as head coach, how are you feeling about the Nymphs chances to do exactly what you just said in getting back to the playoffs?”
“We’ve already done it. Now we’re moving onto bigger goals,” Sugar answered confidently, prompting the reporter to follow with, “As in a championship?”
“As in multiple championships. Enough to fill this arena with so many gotdamn banners that the Trojans are forced to hang theirs somewhere else.”
The media members chuckled at that, and I did too, admiring how easily she was able to work them until I caught a glimpse of Selena heading to the court and immediately started admiring her fine ass as she stood in the back waiting for her turn to take the mic. Somehow her being in full uniform only added to her appeal, with the top half of her braids pulled back into a ponytail and her face fully made up for the team and individual photos we’d be taking later.
She looked like a superstar.
She was a superstar.
And when they asked me how I felt about her as a player, I didn’t hold back on expressing that, taking a page out of Sugar’s book when I joked, “Not only is Selena a dynamic talent, but she’s also a Lynstone alum which automatically puts her ahead of the class,” earning myself a murmur of chuckles before I continued, “But seriously, I’m excited to be able to work with a player of her caliber. A player with a presence big enough to change the game and the mindset of a champion.”
Even from a distance, I could see the flattered look on Selena’s face as she gnawed at the corner of her lip while the reporters went on to ask Sugar and I a few more questions before we were finally dismissed. And with our dismissal came the introduction of Selena along with two other core veteran players, Selena catching me in passing with a hand to my arm to whisper, “You looked good up there, Coach Leonard. Like you might actually belong.”
One Last Shot (Nymphs & Trojans Series Book 2) Page 2
