Hooped #4 (The Hooped Interracial Romance Series, Book #4) by Claire Adams Page B

went out to the concession
stand while I held onto our spots, to buy me a soda—I didn’t want a beer—and a
bottle of water. “I want to hear you cheer your lungs out even though I’m not
playing,” Devon told me with a grin. “We can spend half time making out.”
    While we were waiting for the game to start, the
people in the crowd around us talked to Devon, saying that it was a shame he
wasn’t up there on the court, leading the team to victory. “I made a mistake,”
Devon said, shaking his head and grinning ruefully. “I think the dean made the
right choice, and I’m grateful to get a chance to prove myself. I’m glad I can
cheer the team on, even if I can’t be with them on the court.” I admired the
fact that he was able to be so professional, so polite and courteous.
    It was even better when he introduced me to some of
the fans in the special seats along with us as his tutor. “She’s a hard task
master,” he said, gesturing to me. “I know she doesn’t look like it, but she’s
not as sweet and innocent as she looks. She’s going to get me to learn proper
English if it kills me.” I shook hands with the super-fans, alumni and boosters
for the team—the people who got the reserved seats alongside family and close
friends of the team members. It felt so good, for him to be introducing me that
way. It felt like he was really , truly
serious about turning over a new leaf, being a better man—and being that better
man with me, because of me.
    I watched the players take the court for their
warm-up, and tried not to be disappointed that Devon wasn’t one of them. From
the cheering of the crowd, it was obvious
that while everyone else would have preferred Devon to be on the court too,
they weren’t going to let the team as a whole down. The coach looked up into
the stands and gave Devon a quick, apologetic nod, and Devon gave him a return
nod, standing up and cheering as the guys assembled in their various
configurations. “Eventually I’m going to either be kicked out or graduate—one
way or another, I’m not going to be on the team anymore,” Devon pointed out to
me. “They need to be able to keep going, especially the young guys when I’m off the team. Hell, I could pass
the test and get back on the team and then get injured before next season.”
    “Don’t say that!” I told him, giving him an elbow to
the ribs. “You’ll jinx yourself. I don’t want you injured.” Devon laughed.
    “Babe, I’ve been injured more times than I can count.
Pulled muscles, sprained ankles, all of it comes with the territory. Even if I
could hit the pros after this, eventually I’m going to stop being able to play.
It’s just the way things are.”
    We cheered our heads off, jumping up and down, and as
I watched the game, Devon and I discussed
the different strategies that the team was using in his absence. “I’m glad to
see Miles and Lee stepping up,” Devon told me as the game went into halftime . “Miles, of course, he has to lead
while I’m gone. I figured Lee was ready to get in the game, but there’s never
any way to know until it happens.” I pointed out that they weren’t scoring as
many points as usual, even if they were keeping up a lead—the offense game was
not as strong as it would be when he rejoined them, though the defense was
beefing itself up.
    “They can’t count on you to score so many points that
the other team just can’t even keep up,” I said, grinning. “They have to
actually work for it with you on the sidelines.”
    “They’ll have to find someone who can score points
almost as well as I can.” I shrugged.
    “I don’t think anyone can. You’re kind of unique, you
know.” Devon laughed at that, pulling me in for a kiss.
    “I’m only as good as the woman I’m with,” he told me,
holding my gaze. I rolled my eyes.
    “You were plenty good at the game long before you met
me, you big liar.” I gave him a playful shove and Devon wrapped his arms around