Chapter 26: Love and Basketball “Why are we here exactly?” Laura stood there in her sweats, taking a sip of her water. “Cause we need the exercise,” answered Veronica. “And you said that you wanted to get in shape before the holidays,” Lauralee put her towel around her neck. “But they’re two weeks away!” “Come on, Laura.  The guys wanted to come, and besides, I could work out some post-finals stress on that treadmill.” The guys walked from the locker room of the New York Sports Club, all wearing sweats and t-shirts. “Y’all ready?” asked Kevin. Laura grumbled.  “This isn’t my idea of a good time, you know.” “Aw, poor baby,” Kevin put his arm around Laura.  “When was the last time you went to a gym?” “Since I had to in high school.” “Come on, we’ll start easy,” Kevin dragged Laura to the treadmill. “She hates this,” Lauralee smiled to Alex. “It’s more fun to watch her than Saturday Night Live,” Alex looked on at Laura’s seething face.  He looked to the others.  “Where are you guys gonna go?” “We’re gonna hit the basketball court,” Brian pointed towards the courts and Nick nodded. “I’m gonna hit the weights,” said Howie. “Me too,” Alex looked at the girls.  “What about you?” “Treadmill,” Veronica grabbed Lauralee and started to walk over.  “We’ll see you later.” ~*~ The whole sweaty group met back at the lobby, and was going to get lunch. “So, are you cursing out Kevin yet?” Nick put his basketball under his arm. “Eat me Carter,” Laura stuck his tongue out at Nick. “With a spoon.” Lauralee snorted.  “Good one.” Laura shot her a look.  “Are we going home yet?” “No! I want to get some more game in.  With me Rok?” “No way man,” Brian massaged his shoulder with his hand.  “I’m spent.” “Fine, you suck anyway.” “Suck?  Me?  Who was whipping your ass before?” “Only because I kept giving you fouls.” “Guys!  I think I can handle this,” the wheels turned around in her head.  She turned to Nick.  “What if I can get you an opponent?” “No offense Lau, but I haven’t even seen you dribble a ball before.” “Not me ass,” she turned to Alex and gave him a look.  “A good player.” “Uh, yeah, one of the best,” Alex got the idea. “As long as it’s not Shaq, I’m game.” Lauralee took out her cell phone, ran to the door and dialed a number. ~*~ Bianca walked into the gym: sweats on and her body pumped up.  “Lau?” Lauralee was waiting at the door.  “Hey!” Bianca hugged her quickly.  “Alright, where’s the sucker that gonna get his ass whipped?” Lauralee smiled, knowing how Bianca was going to react.  “Right this way,” she led her to the courts. When they opened the door, Brian, Howie, Kevin, Laura and Veronica were standing there.  Bianca stood there, mouth opened. “Come on,” Lauralee took her by the hand and led her over.  Laura and Veronica gave her a hug hello, since they knew her from Lauralee.  “Bianca, this is Kevin, Howie and Brian.  Guys, this is Bianca.” “Hey,” Bianca said shyly.  “We heard you’re good,” Brian folded his arms. “I’m the best,” Bianca folded her arms in response.  “Are you challenging me?” “Nope, he’s right over there,” Brian stood aside, and Bianca saw Nick walking towards her, dribbling a basketball.  He stopped and looked at her, and so did she.  Lauralee felt those same sparks rising when she introduced Laura and Veronica to Kevin and Howie. “Bianca, this is Nick,” Lauralee motioned for Nick to come over.  “Nick, this is Bianca.” “Sup,” Nick cradled his basketball. “Hello.” “I heard you’re good.” “I’m the best.” “You haven’t played me then.” “Oh, is that so?” Bianca’s feelings about whom she was in the room with escaped her.  “I think you have it the other way around.  You have a challenge?” “You call yourself a challenge?” “Well, let’s just see who the challenge is then,” Bianca took off her sweat jacket.  “You may talk the talk, but can you walk the walk?” Nick tossed her the ball, and Bianca caught it.  “You want out first?” Bianca tossed back the ball to Nick with such force he almost got the wind knocked out of him.  “No you take it.” Brian leaned over to Lauralee.  “This is gonna be good.”  He walked over to them.  “I’ll ref.” “Fine,” Bianca said, not taking her fierce glance away from Nick. They walked out on the court, with their mini audience watching close behind.  “Out of 20?” Brian walked between them. “Sure,” Nick walked to the line and Bianca faced him.  “Go!” Nick dribbled the ball and was about to go left, when Bianca surprised him, stole the ball and ran for the lay-up.  She swooshed the ball with ease.  Bianca caught the ball and lightly tossed it to him.  “1-zip.” “We’ll see about that.” Nick took the ball out, faked left, then moved right, when Bianca turned around, stole the ball again, and went for the shot.  It went in. “2-zip.” Nick grumbled as he went out again. Lauralee and the others were sitting on the sidelines as she saw Nick and Bianca’s lips moving towards each other.  “She’s real good.  I’ve never seen Nick so pissed before,” Alex leaned over to Lauralee. “Well, if everything works out, they’ll both be winning, and I don’t mean the game.” The game wore on.  They had definitely found each other’s match.  It seemed what they knew what the other person was thinking.  Shot for shot, they each matched each other’s prowess, skill, and trash-talking.  It was down to the last point, Bianca had the ball, and Nick was ready for action.  The groups sat with their eyes focused on them, leaning in. Bianca took it out, faked left, then right.  Nick was on her like glue, trying to block every move she made with the ball. He cornered her, and she tried to turn but couldn’t move.  Closing her eyes real tight, she threw the ball up in the air, and Nick followed the ball with his eyes.  The ball went through the hoop perfectly. “Yes!” Lauralee ran to Bianca and gave her a hug.  “You are the best!” “Anytime, anyplace!” Bianca hugged her back.  Brian walked up to her.  “Be sure I don’t face you in the future.” “You sure?  I could go for another one.” “No way!  I may be goofy, but I’m not stupid,” Brian quirked.  “Besides, I think you’ve broken enough egos for today,” he pointed to Nick, who was sitting on the ground. Bianca walked up to him and offered him her hand.  Nick grabbed it and helped himself up. “You OK?” “Yeah.  You are that good.” “I told you, I’m the best.” “You play at school?” “Varsity for 3 years.” “Really?” “Yep.” “It must be cool to play on a team.” “It’s alright.” Lauralee walked up to them.  “I told you I could find you a good opponent.” “You were right,” Nick looked at Bianca.  “She is a match.” “Are you gonna pay up?” Bianca looked back at him. Lauralee looked on wide-eyed at Nick.  “You made a bet?” “Yup, dinner, loser buys,” Nick gave her the basketball.  “What time should I pick you up?” “7?” “You got it.” Bianca looked at her watch.  “I better go.  It was fun.”  She walked over to the others.  “Nice to meet y’all.” “You too,” Howie waved. “Bye!” She ran out of the court.  Nick followed her with his eyes and looked at the others.  They were all staring at him. “What?” “Dinner?” Alex snorted. “I didn’t wanna take the girl’s money.” “Yeah right,” Howie joked. “Shut up man.” “OK, OK, leave Nicky alone.” Lauralee put his arm around him and leaned in his ear.  “But I want details later.” Nick smiled.  “Well, I say we head back… Nicky’s got a big date tonight,” Brian said dramatically.  Brian started to dart out of the court. “It’s not a date!”  Nick ran after him.  “Go ahead and run Frick, I’ll beat you’re ass worse than I did on the court!” The others laughed at the sight. Chapter 27 Contents Chapter 25