Page 18 of Half-Court Heat (Hoops & Heartstrings #2)

I braced myself, the words hanging in the air before she even said them. I forced out a breath and tried to swallow the rising discomfort. “You already said it—we’re must-see-TV.”

“Listen.” Briana unfolded her arms, stepping closer like she was trying to level with me.

“I know you’re not here for the cameras.

You’re a hell of a player, and you’re not someone who takes shortcuts.

But this league? It’s not just about who can score the most points.

It’s about the story we’re telling. It’s about who we are on and off the court and making people care.

And Eva and you? You’ve got a helluva story. ”

The weight in my chest tightened, and I could feel my jaw clenching. I wasn’t sure if I felt more frustrated by her bluntness or by the fact that she was right.

“So, you thought it would be good for the brand?” I asked, trying to keep my voice level, even as the words felt sour on my tongue. “To put us on the same team?”

“Exactly,” she said, unflinching. “It’s about drawing more eyes to the game. Eva’s star power is undeniable, and you’ve got the grit to make it real. Together, you’ll create something people can’t look away from. People will tune in just to see what happens when you two step on the court together.”

The thought of it made me feel small in a way I hadn’t expected. It wasn’t just about being an athlete anymore—it was about being a product.

“I didn’t sign up for a reality show,” I muttered under my breath.

“I get it,” she said, her tone softening a little. “But sometimes, reality makes for the best stories. People want to see the real you. They want to see how you two navigate being teammates, being partners ... figuring out how to blend both of those worlds.”

I looked away, trying to focus on the sound of basketballs bouncing in the background. I wanted to disappear into that noise, where the only thing that mattered was playing ball. But I couldn’t.

Briana let the silence hang for a moment. “This league can’t fail, Lex,” she said. “Because if it does, we all suffer—not just the women here.”

I finally met her gaze again. “Alright,” I said, trying to sound more confident than I felt. “Thanks for being straight with me.”

She gave me a half-smile, like she knew I was still processing everything. “You’ll see. You’ll get it when it clicks. We’re not just selling tickets, Lex.”

With those parting words, Bri turned to walk back to the court and her own team, leaving me standing in the corner, trying to shake off the unease swirling inside of me.

I watched her go and then glanced over at Eva, who was chatting with our new teammates, Arika and Rayah.

The tension that had been building over the morning felt heavier now, and I couldn’t shake the feeling that something else was coming—something bigger than the league, than basketball, than our relationship.

And, for the first time, I wondered if I was ready to face it.

Our assigned apartment felt like a world away from the practice facility. The door clicked shut behind us, and I tossed my gym bag on the floor. Eva walked to the refrigerator to fill a glass of water. Silence stretched between us, thick and heavy.

“So …” I rubbed the back of my neck, “same team, huh?”

She took a long sip from her water glass. “You don’t sound thrilled.”

I stepped out of my slides in the entryway. “I’m just… I’m trying to wrap my head around it. You know, being the center of attention because of our relationship.”

Eva turned to face me fully. “We could have stayed in Chicago, kept doing our thing.” Her voice dropped a little, but there was no mistaking the hint of challenge in her tone.

I opened my mouth to respond, but she beat me to it, her eyes narrowing slightly. “But you wanted this, Lex.”

I felt a flare of heat across my chest. She wasn’t wrong. The prospect of a low-key off-season had seemed a lot less appealing once Briana had sold me on the idea of doing something—being part of something bigger. But now, with our relationship under a microscope, I wasn’t so sure.

“I wanted to be with you,” I muttered, “but I didn’t think it was gonna feel like this —like we’re some kind of spectacle.”

Eva’s lips softened. “I know you don’t love the spotlight.” She reached for me, brushing a strand of hair from my face. “But I wouldn’t have agreed to this if I didn’t think we were in it together.”

I leaned into her touch, the tension between us easing slightly, but I wasn’t sure how to put the rest of my feelings into words. “It’s not the ‘together’ part that bothers me. It’s that … I don’t want people to think our relationship is the only reason people tune in. You know?”

“I get it. I do. But saying yes to Briana? That was your call.” She raised an eyebrow. “You knew this wasn’t gonna be some quiet off-season when you signed up.”

I felt a small flush crawl up my neck. “Yeah, well … I didn’t realize how weird it would be. The whole must-see TV thing. I don’t love it.”

She moved closer, her breath warm against my cheek. “You love me , though,” she murmured, her voice low. “And I think you’ll be fine once we’re out there. You always rise to the occasion when it matters.”

I exhaled, letting the air out of my lungs slowly. “I will. But not because I’m some kind of side show .” I took her hands in mine, squeezing them gently. “I’ll rise to the occasion because you’re with me.”

Her grin widened into something soft and genuine. “Nice answer. Plus, being on the same team means I get to play with you all the time. Every day. Every game. Unless,” she paused, her eyes studying me, “you think you’ll get sick of me?”

I blinked, my brain still catching up with the question. “You think I’d get sick of you?” I shook my head. “Babe, you’re the best part of my day.”

Eva’s lips parted slightly. “Are you sure?” She sounded almost a little too sincere, as if she wasn’t sure whether I was joking or serious.

I took a slow step forward, closing the space between us. Her breath caught when I reached for her, running the pad of my thumb along the edge of her jaw. “I’m very sure. You make everything better. You’re everything I look forward to.”

“Good,” she murmured, almost to herself.

She glanced up at me, and for a split second, her expression flickered—almost like she was debating something in her mind.

Then, with a playful smirk, she tugged me in a little closer, her fingers threading through the front of my shirt.

“You’re not getting rid of me that easily, Bennet.

You’ve already signed up for all of me.”

My heart fluttered in my chest. I wasn’t ready for the spotlight, but with Eva’s hand in mine and her kiss lingering on my lips, I knew I was going to do whatever it took to make it work. For both of us.