The PreGame Ritual (Lynstone University Book 1) by Alexandra Warren Page A

it off again. I didn’t have a game for another 3 days so it wasn’t a big deal to have a little drink. Miles on the other hand had a huge game tomorrow. It was the first of its caliber; primetime national television slot on a huge network against the number two ranked team. I knew how important it was for him to show out and do well, and that alone made the nerves surface.
    Why am I thinking about him so much?
    The margarita gave me the brightest idea to send him a text. I mean, why do all this thinking if I could actually tell him my thoughts?
    Ava: I know you’re probably busy zoning out, but I just wanted to tell you good luck tomorrow. :)
    I sat at the kitchen table, taking a few more sips as I waited for a reply.
    Miles: ‘Preciate it, ma. What are you still doin’ up?
    I didn’t even realize the time but I definitely felt lame as hell responding, Watching a movie.
    Miles: Alone?
    Ava: LoL of course, Miles. Who else would I be watching it with?
    Miles: Just askin’. Want some company?
    Since Avery was out on the town as usual, I was actually considering it for a short moment. But I quickly realized that it wouldn’t be fair to have him come over for my own selfish reasons knowing he had something more important to be thinking about.
    Ava: Miles, you have a big game tomorrow. You need to be focusing up.
    Miles: I actually think I’m too focused. Maybe you can help me relax. ;)
    I didn’t need to hear him say it nor see his face to know what he was talking about. He was trying to pick up where we had left off.
    Finish what we started.
    Fuck me outta my mind.
    I stared at my phone for so long, taking sip after sip as I contemplated how to answer. I didn’t wanna sound super thirsty for the D but...damn it had been a long time and the tequila wasn’t making that any better.
    I put my cup down to type and sent the only logical response I could come up with.
    Ava: I can try. :)

miles.
     
    “Hi.”
    The look in Ava’s eyes as she leaned against the frame of her front door, the little blush of her skin as she looked me up and down, and the sweet scent of her body wash told me everything I needed to know.
    She got it.
    She felt my vibes, she understood what I was talking about, and she was down.
    Fuckin’ perfect.
    “What’s up, ma? You gonna let me in or somethin’?”
    She gave a little laugh as she crossed her arms over her chest, “Depends. I mean… I don’t wanna waste my time if I’m not gonna get what I want.” Her eyes drifted off as she spoke so I knew she was only teasing, but I still felt the need to lay it out there.
    “Well if your wants are anywhere near the same as mine, you have nothing to worry about.”
    “And if they’re not?”
    “Then I need to take my ass back home and take a cold shower.” She laughed as she made room in the doorway for me to come in. I purposely grazed her chest as I walked past, taking note of the fact that I could feel her nipples right through her shirt.
    I waited for her to shut and lock the door then followed her to where I remembered the kitchen being during my first visit as she threw over her shoulder, “You want anything to drink? Water? Gatorade?”
    “Nah, I’m good.”
    “You sure? How about something to eat?”
    I could appreciate the hospitality but I really wanted to get to the point of my little visit so I answered, “Yeah, I’ll take something to eat. How about a Hot ‘N Ready Ava on a platter?”
    She slammed the refrigerator door shut, holding some fruity-looking drink in her hand as she said, “Shut up, Miles.”
    “You have the perfect thing to shut me up, Ava. Use it.”
    “As intriguing as that sounds, I’m not that easy,” she replied, as she sauntered to the living room and plopped down on the couch, causing her oversized t-shirt to ride up quite a bit. Lucky for me, she didn’t seem to care. I peeked at the screen as she pressed play with the remote.
    “ Love & Basketball. Why am I not surprised?” She rolled her eyes,