Page 23 of Full Court Crush

Keira to offence, giving herself a mental shake.

Evie in-bounded the ball to Amelia, who dribbled up the court. The shot clock was the game clock now, and the seconds were rapidly ticking down. They passed the ball around the outside of the key, looking for an opening, but met a rock-solid defence. When Amelia slung the ball wide to Keira, she desperately launched a three-point shot into the air, but a defender smothered her, forcing an air ball. Keira’s cheeks burned from a potent combination of physical effort and embarrassment. An air horn sounded the end of the quarter. Keira couldn’t look at Amelia as the team trudged back to their bench.

“Okay, they’re killing us with speed, so in this next quarter, Sienna, you’re in for Keira, and Asha, go in for Evie. Good work, both.” Coach Grant held out her hands for Keira and Evie to low-five, then pulled out her whiteboard and ran through the tactics for the upcoming quarter with their changed line-up. Keira had to force herself to concentrate on what the coach was saying as her mind tried to spin out. Her worst fears were coming true. She was being benched. She’d missed a shot, and now she was being benched.

Amelia caught her eye and gave her a reassuring smile. Keira tried to return it, but it formed more of a grimace.

Keira and Evie returned to the bench with the rest of the team, unable to do anything but watch as the new line-up took their positions on court. The referee quickly restarted the game.

Both teams were instantly going full tilt and traded a few baskets in quick succession. The Ballers took a few minutes to adjust to the Blizzards’ increased speed, but it wasn’t long before their number seven was once again sprinting towards the key, a cocky smirk on her face. Amelia took half a step away from her player to help Asha defend the much taller centre. Keira thought it was risky, but then again, the look on number seven’s face suggested she wouldn’t pass the ball, even if her teammate sent up a flare from inside the key.

Amelia appeared to track the centre like a hawk tracking a rabbit hiding in the grass. She looked so powerful on court, commanding the space and the people around her. Keira’s chest fluttered.

The number seven set up for an arrogant shot. Abruptly, Amelia spun and jumped, putting her hand out in the direction of the ball, just as the centre jumped. From the outside, it looked like she was trying to block the shot. But Keira knew Amelia’s basketball mannerisms. When she blocked, she always laser focused on the ball. Right now she wasn’t even looking at it. Her eyes never left her prey as she shouldered her out of the air. Both players tumbled back toward the court in a mess of limbs. The ball had not even reached the rim. The Bristol centre went skidding across the floor, such had been the force of Amelia’s hit. Amelia, though, landed gracefully on her feet and walked over to the number seven to offer her a hand up. She was smiling so sweetly Keira was surprised it wasn’t rotting her teeth. The opposition fans were screaming for the foul.

“Oh, sorry!” she said loudly enough for the words to reach the Blizzards’ bench, probably for the benefit of the referee, who was already signalling an unsportsmanlike foul to the table.

Amelia placed one foot either side of the centre’s hips, hand extended, fake smile still plastered on her face. The number seven scowled up at her, face contorted to the point where it looked like she’d tried to eat a lemon whole. She scoffed at Amelia, pushed herself backwards on the floor, and got up unaided. Amelia turned back to the rest of the court and shrugged meekly.

Amelia looked toward the bench, made eye contact with Keira, and winked. Keira blushed, but couldn’t stop the grin that spread across her face. She watched Amelia jog back up the court, paying no attention to the Bristol centre’s free throws. Her whole chest felt lighter. Evie cleared her throat beside her and Keira glanced in her direction. She was almost smirking.

Keira stumbled into the changing rooms after the game, sucking up the pain of defeat along with the rest of her teammates. They hadn’t expected to win, but the over thirty-point score difference rubbed salt in the wound. Coach Grant had put Keira back in for the full third quarter; she’d only made a handful of shots, and she’d missed both her free throws. She was kicking herself. How was Coach Grant going to trust her after that performance?

“Well, today needs to go down in the history books,” Lucy proclaimed loudly to the room.

“Because it was our first professional game?” Sienna asked.

“Because Perfect Preston got an unsportsmanlike,” Lucy said, laughing and playfully shoving Amelia in the arm, causing her to stumble a little.

“Yeah, what got into you, Amelia?” Evie said from beside Amelia, looking between Amelia and Keira, before quietly adding, “or who?”

Keira felt herself pale, as Amelia blushed.

Busted.

Keira took in the extent of Amelia’s discomfort and stepped forward, putting herself between Amelia and Lucy. Unfortunately, Lucy wouldn’t be stopped.

“When was the last time you got an unsportsmanlike, oh cap-i-tan?”

“I have no idea.” Amelia put her bag down on the bench and retrieved a towel.

“Wait, have youevergot an unsportsmanlike before?“ Lucy jibed. Keira wanted to snap at her.

“Leave her alone, Luce,” Evie admonished. “That number seven deserved it, anyway.” Evie ushered Lucy towards the showers before she could say anything else. Evie glanced over her shoulder, pointedly nodding her head in Amelia’s direction. Amelia still hadn’t looked up. Keira opened her mouth and closed it a few times; she had no idea what to say. She wasn’t sure she was the best person to offer comfort, considering she seemed to be thecauseof the discomfort. Amelia continued unpacking her bag, staring at the stitching like it was the most interesting thing in the world. Keira wanted to reach out, place a reassuring hand on her back, like she had before. But there were too many eyes on them. There was too much at stake.

“Well played, Morgan,” Sofia said, clapping her on the back on her way past.

“Thanks,” Keira replied, grateful for the interlude. Other players started making their way to the showers.

“You really did play well,” Amelia said quietly as the rest of the changing room bustled around them. Keira scoffed and rolled her eyes.

“Yeah, I’m sure Coach Grant will be thrilled with all those buckets I missed. I might as well pack my bags now.” She scuffed the toe of her shoe across the changing room floor. Now she’d said it outloud, her heart sank further. She didn’t want to lose this job for obvious reasons, but also, she liked it here. She liked this team. And she hated that it felt so temporary and uncertain.

“Hey.” When Amelia said nothing more, Keira looked up. “You’re a Blizzard now,” Amelia smiled, “through thick or thin. Get used to it, okay?”

She forced herself to give a half-hearted smile, but Amelia’s words stayed on the surface, a lone boat on a vast sea of self-doubt. Then Amelia’s hand settled on Keira’s upper arm and gave a little squeeze.

Keira stood dumbstruck by the sensation, heat radiating through her. She glanced around to see if anyone was looking. Amelia seemingly had the same thought, as she quickly dropped her hand and headed to the showers without looking back. Keira watched her leave, her head spinning. She sat down on the bench, her hand drifting to her upper arm. Her skin, sticky from her hard work, felt suffocating. Every interaction with Amelia caused her world to tilt a little more on its axis.