Romeo On and Off the Field
Chapter 1: Starting Lineup
A starting lineup, in basketball, is a group of five players that a coach sends onto the court to begin a game.
Edward
Walking onto the hardwood court for the umpteenth time was like coming home after a long journey. It had only been since yesterday, but still, it felt good. Having a basketball in my hand, keeping it familiar, was my lifeblood. Basketball was what I knew, what I was more than good at, it was my passion. Basketball was my future, not that I didn't have a Plan B. I was on an athletic scholarship at the University of Washington and was studying Criminal Justice. My Plan B, if my dream of playing in the NBA didn't happen, was to work in a crime lab.
"Cullen," Coach Grouch yelled. "Start stretching."
"Yes, coach," I yelled back.
Unlike high school, where my team did uniform stretches together, we college players stretched our arms and legs on our own or with a partner before we started our drills. Being a point guard, I had a routine and certain strength exercises I preferred. The coach didn't care what I did as long as I hit every machine in the weight room and was on time for practices and games.
"So, Eddie," Emmett said, sauntering over to join me with Jasper in tow.
"I hate that nickname, Em," I growled as I lifted and held my right leg behind my thigh.
"Don't fucking care, Eddie. What's this I heard about a certain break-up of yours?"
"Are we here to stretch or gossip?" Jasper drawled in his Texan accent.
What part of Texas was he from again? Didn't matter. Texan accents all sounded the same to me, and I wouldn't know one region from the next for the life of me.
Emmett chuckled. "We can do both, Jazz. So, Eddie, spill. What happened?"
I glared at Emmett for a moment as I switched to my left leg. "Tonya and I were never dating. She's a superfan who had a misguided delusion I was her boyfriend. She declared we were over on her Facebook and blog."
Jasper shook his head. As a shooting guard, he had the skill and talent to make it into the NBA like me. And like me, he was working on a Plan B in case he didn't get drafted or got a career-ending injury.
Although Emmett played his heart out in high school as a small forward and earned an athletic scholarship, he didn't see himself playing in the NBA. He was open to it, but not hopeful though Jazz and I kept telling him he was good enough. Coach and teammates have compared him Brandon Ingram, LeBron James, and Jayson Tatum.
"I had many girls throw themselves at me, too. Not much you can do other than ignore them," Jasper said, helping me stretch my arms behind my back.
~~ Romeo On and Off the Field ~~
After two hours of drills and shooting the ball, the coach told us to hit the showers and that he would see us Thursday. Wednesday was our off day from working out and on-court drills. Most of the guys still hit the weights. I went on a morning run, however, it was only two miles instead of my normal five or six.
"Any plans after classes," Jazz asked, taking a seat on the locker room bench next to me as I tied my shoes.
With a sideways glance, I said, "I have to hit the tutoring center. My history paper is due next week and I need to make sure I didn't make any silly grammar mistakes."
"Professor Splat is a hard ass on that for sure. Doesn't matter if you are on topic, he will deduct points for bad grammar."
"So I've heard," I remarked, standing and retrieving my backpack from my locker.
~~ Romeo On and Off the Field ~~
I stood outside the tutoring center doors, debating on just going back to my off-campus apartment and opting for the online editing help. Mom could proofread my paper just as easily as any of the English tutors.
"Pardon me," a sweet, angelic voice said from behind me. "If you not going in, would you please move to the side so I can?"
Turning, I had to look down at the girl who was in front of me. She had a pale complexion with long, straight, dark brown hair, eyes the color of rich chocolate, and a heart-shaped face. She was beautiful. And I had the strange desire to reach up and trail my finger down her cheek.
"Would you please move?" she asked again, breaking into my thoughts. "Or, I'll be late to work."
I turned back to the door and opened it. "After you," I said.