Part XII
Marissa woke up early the next day to pack sandwiches for Alex. To keep her diet light, Marissa opted to make tuna sandwich. Alex appeared from their bedroom, in her jeans and shirt. She was shouldering her gym back and with her car keys on her hand.
"Did I forget anything?" Alex asked turning her gaze towards the brunette who was on her way to her.
"These…" Marissa smiled giving her the lunch box.
"And these…" Marissa added pulling Alex into a kiss.
"Thanks…"
"Call me when you get there and before you leave…" Marissa reminded Alex as she straightened the blonde's shirt.
"Should I go straight home? Or do you want me to pick you up at the Bait Shop?"
"Just wait for me at home… Ok?" Marissa replied kissing Alex's lips softly.
"I love you…" Alex mumbled smiling under the kiss.
"I love you too… Got get them my sweet tiger…" Marissa said with a growl.
Alex laughed making Marissa grin.
"I didn't know tigers are sweet."
"Make them drool while you burn the net…" Marissa smirked letting Alex go.
"You bet your sweet ass I would!"
"The ass you're betting on is the only ass you'll come home to. Now go, before I give in to the urge of chaining you in our bed and making love to you till the next day!" Marissa said biting her lip.
"Hold that thought till I get home tonight!" Alex exclaimed leaning to Marissa, kissing her passionately.
"Bye hon." Alex smiled and then pulled away.
Marissa watched her walk out then drive off with their new mustang. She was happy Alex didn't have to rent a car to get to work.
----
"You've been staring at those papers since last night. Obsessed much?" Bianca frowned, sitting beside Beth who was still in bed.
"It's Alex's contract. I'm just rechecking them." Beth put her hand on her forehead wiping off some sweat.
"Are you alright? Fever?" Bianca put her hand up and replaced Beth's hand on her forehead.
"You feel fine…"
"I don't… I mean not really…"
"What's wrong?" Bianca scooted closer, taking Beth's arm up to wrap it around her waist.
"Can you come with me to LA? I want you there. With me."
"Sure… I didn't get call backs yet… So… Sure… I'd love to go with you baby…"
"I love you so much…" Beth whispered leaning to rest her forehead against Bianca's.
"I love you so much too…"
----
"JODIE PHONE FOR YOU!" One of Jodie's officemates yelled out.
"THANKS! Hello?"
Hi sweetie! Did I bother you?
"Hi babe! Not really, I'm just starting out to pick up my files. Work ok?"
I QUIT!
"What?"
I QUIT! I want to find a job there. Be with you. I miss you too much it's making me lose out focus!
"Oh Sum… Are you sure? I mean… I'd love to have you here… But are you sure?"
Yeah. No doubt about it sweetie! I have a job in mind too. Think Alex needs a PR manager?
----
Alex arrived and walked into the Staples center. She went straight to the locker room and found the team she was about to play with.
"Hi." Alex greeted but none of the ladies in the room replied.
She stood there in the middle of the room, unsure which locker to take. She looked around for anybody to actually pay notice to her, but no one did. Or so she thought.
"Take this locker next to mine." A brunette spoke pointing to the locker beside her.
Alex smiled and walked to her, taking a seat beside her.
"Juvy Yap…" The girl said smiling at Alex.
"Alex Cohen" Alex replied smiling back at her.
The rest of the team started to walk out, but one turned and spoke.
"Juvy let's go." She said not looking Alex's way.
"That's Kath. Got to go. Coach is in that room. I'll see you later."
"Yeah ok. Thanks." Alex replied changing into her basketball shorts.
"They're a good bunch once you get to know them." Jill appeared looking at Alex.
"I'm sure they are…"
"Give them a chance Alex. They don't know they need you that much."
Alex could just smile. Not really knowing what the coach meant.
----
Marissa was wiping a few tables with Joyce while Mark mopped the floor. They were doing this silently, although Joyce and Mark wanted to know if the TV reports are true.
"Um… Riss… Did Alex really get the job? Joyce asked casually.
"Yeah. She got the job. Why?"
"Nothing." Joyce replied, mouthing "wow" to Mark.
"Speaking of the angel…" Marissa smiled looking at her mobile phone.
"Hi honey. Got there safely I see. Off to practice?"
Yeah… Just called so you won't worry. Got to go I'm the only one not on court. I love you.
"I love you too honey. Take care." Marissa smiled flipping her phone to end the call.
"So you'll go live somewhere fancy now?" Mark asked resting his chin on the end of the mop stick.
"I won't call it fancy. I just want a simple house. Near the beach."
"BEACH PARTIES!" Mark yelled out.
"Shut up Mark." Jean came out of the office.
"Don't forget to hand me an autograph Cooper… Once she sets foot on the court on national TV." Jean smirked earning a laugh from the three.
----
"Why are they not passing her the ball?" Inna asked watching the team at practice.
Alex was wide open but her team mates would not pass her the ball.
"You know how they are with newbies." Jill checked on the current play and just yelled out.
"DEFENSE YELLOW TEAM! YOU'RE ALLOWING TOO MANY PENETRATIONS ON THE PAINT!
Alex ran the length of the court on a fast break. Her yellow practice jersey seemingly all wet. Her breathing was also shallow, but she had her heart beat in check.
"Pass it here!" Alex yelled out sprinting alongside Juvy who saw her running but in between them was a much taller Luisa.
"Ok Cohen show me what you got." Juvy whispered to herself launching a low bounce pass to Alex.
Alex caught the pass and ran towards the hoop. Luisa ran with her and there was absolutely no way she would allow Alex to lay the ball up. But of course, Alex had other plans.
She took the ball and dribbled from her right. Luisa thought she was going to lay it down using her right hand so she jumped over to block it. Alex saw arms outstretched so she glided on the slim opening using her left hand to throw the ball up, protecting it using her body laying it up.
"WAY TO GO COHEN!" Inna shot up on her chair clapping.
Jill just nodded smiling at Alex's successful lay up.
The rest of the girls were stunned looking at Alex slowly jogging towards the other end of the court. Juvy just smiled at her as Alex passed her by.
"Nice pass." Alex said before running towards the other end of the court.
"Nice ass…"Juvy smirked as she whispered to herself.