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Everyone knew I had a mate. Everyone knew he denied me. No one, apart from my family and the elders, knew who he was or why.

“He just didn’t want me,” I muttered under my breath. “He wanted someone else.”

“Like anyone could not want you, Chloe. You’re gorgeous.” Dan made a scoffing noise. “He sounds like a drop kick. But I’m glad.”

“You’re glad?”

“Yeah, cause I got you.” He winked at me.

I rolled my eyes. “Trust me, once you find her, you won’t give me a second thought.”

“You’re right. You’re my first thought.”

I shook my head at his determination. Did he really think we were meant to be together?

***

“CHLOE!” Sally screamed at me, before she tossed me the ball and I quickly passed it on to our power forward. We were creaming them and our boys on the side were cheering us on like no tomorrow.

I couldn’t stop grinning every time Dan threw a comment my way. Though what I would give to have those comments come from Xavier’s lips really burnt a hole in my self-control.

I jogged back to the center, as we scored yet another goal. We were up 15. We really needed to slow down now. I didn’t want our team to get ahead by too much. Though it was an automatic reaction for us to just stop the ball. Our defense was strong.

I tossed the ball to our power forward. She missed it on purpose, scoring the other team an advantage. I lazily missed the ball and it was caught by the other center.

The timer chimed, signaling halftime. The boys were cheering as we walked up to them. Did they do nothing else?

Smiling, I sat down next to Dan, after he pushed Scott off the bench.

“Nice skills out there.” He winked at me and I rolled my eyes.

“Aren’t you guys meant to be playing basketball?” I asked, before taking a gulp from my water bottle.

“Our game follows yours. How many games you guys got to play?” Dan asked

“I think three, or something,” I replied casually before clipping my drink bottle lid closed. “So why aren’t you guys wearing shirts?”

Dan laughed and his pearly whites showed. “Scott wants the ladies’ attention.”

I glanced over at the team we were playing. The boys sure had their eyes. In fact, I think they had everyone’s eyes, including the female coaches’. I laughed. “I think it worked.”

Dan pulled his sunglasses down from the top of his head, wrapping an arm around my shoulder and pulling me into his side. “You can stake your claim if you want? Take me off the market.”

I laughed. “Really? You would do that for me?”

Dan smirked. “I may have some other reasons. But the way they are eyeing me, your luck is running out.”

Shaking my head, I got up from the bench and to do some leg stretches. My legs were still slightly sore from gym this morning. Putting my leg on the bench, I flexed my calf.

Pulling my arm behind my head, I stretched my arm and head at the same time, cracking my neck. Man, that relieved some stress.

I gasped as water splashed across my top, and it wasn’t a little bit. It soaked me. Turning around and bringing my foot from the bench, I glared at Scott. “You did that why?” I snapped, glancing down at my light blue tank, which was now soaking wet.

“The human boys were demanding it. Honestly, it only adds to the sex appeal.” Scott smirked, while Dan shot him a dirty look from under his glasses.

Glancing around, I suddenly noticed the other male basketball teams, all looking our way. I wanted to get that drink bottle and slap it across Scott’s face.

“Thanks for that, Scott,” I snapped in his direction and crossed my arms.