Love and Basketball

By Nicole Jackson

She was determined to keep him out.

Nyesha had a simple rule that always kept her heart protectedbasketball over boys, especially the player types. Making basketball her life had been the easy part, but when Dustin Watts, the biggest player of them all, suddenly wants more than just friendship, Nyesha has to try to keep him away before he sneaks his way into her heart.

He was determined to keep her close.

Dustin had absolutely no interest in getting to know the boring Nyesha Jenkins, whom he had grown up with, but when the opportunity to get her to finally let loose came up, he just had to take it.

From crazy exes to houses burning down and dont forget basketball, join these two as they make their last year of high school something to remember. But one question remains. Can Nyesha really have love and basketball?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Nov 21, 2016
• ISBN: 9781524562878

Book preview

Contents

Prologue

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Epilogue

Acknowledgments

To Demico Black, the big brother to everyone.

Rest in paradise. 12/25/2015.

Prologue

Twenty seconds were left on the clock as Nyesha got the ball into her possession and made her way down the court.

You can do it, Nye! her mother shouted encouragingly while everyone in the crowd waited and anticipated what this seven-year-old girl would do. The pressure was on. It was the championship Little League basketball game that would possibly crown Nyesha as queen of the courts for the season. Fifteen seconds. Nyesha had just passed the halfway line when a defender from the opposing team began to block her. Nervously, Nyesha took a quick glance at the time, and they had just hit the ten-second mark. Nyesha bounced the ball through her defenses legs before quickly sliding past her and sprinting with the ball down the court, hitting an easy layup just as the buzzer rang out.

The crowd roared in celebration as Nyesha and her best friend, Tiana, did their secret handshake and bumped hips. Ending the game, Nyesha and the team shook hands with the opposing side, giving them all bright smiles before she ran off to find her older brother and mom only to collide into a little boy.

Sorry. I’m Dustin, he mumbled sheepishly.

It’s okay. It was an accident. And I’m Nyesha, but my friends call me Nye, Nyesha said with a smile before beginning to walk away but not before Dustin spoke up again.

You played really well, you know, for a girl.

"And what does that mean?"

I mean, you were good, but you are nowhere near as good as I am.

Yes, I am. I’m really good, probably better than you.

No way. You’re a girl!

Yeah and you’re a dumb boy! Storming away, Nyesha fumed to herself before finding her family socializing with her best friend Tiana’s parents. When her big brother Tyronne caught sight of Nyesha, his grin widened; and Nyesha ran up to meet him, forgetting all about being upset.

Did you see me, Rone? Did you see me hit the winning shot?

Yeah, Nye. You did great.

You girls both did really well, Tiana’s mother complimented them, and the two girls smiled brightly.

Thank you! they replied simultaneously.

And I saw you talking to that little boy. Do you like him? Nyesha’s sister Tori teased her, causing the girls to scrunch up their face in disgust.

"No way! Boys are weird and have cooties! Especially that one. Besides, my only love is basketball, and no one can ever change that. Well, maybe Chris Brown," Nyesha ended, causing Tiana and her to break out into a fit of giggles. But little did Nyesha know that that boy would be the one to change her life, forever.

Chapter 1

Nyesha dribbled effortlessly down the court as her brand-new sneakers slid across the concrete. Sweat poured off her face as she repeated the same shot she had done all morning, once more earning herself the same response, an easy in. Her three-pointer had always been her strongest move.

Nyesha, come get your breakfast before you’re late for school, her mother shouted from inside the house.

Just one more shot! Nyesha yelled back before dribbling her favorite basketball up the court, through her legs, and letting it slide from her hands and right into the net. Swish, Nyesha thought to herself before grabbing her ball and heading inside. Her house was a modern detached home with four bedrooms and three and a half bathrooms. Ceramic peach coated the walls nicely following a spiral staircase that led up to her room. Nyesha slugged up the stairs, feeling satisfied at her training for the morning before quickly hopping into the shower and washing off the scent of tiring training off her body. She hadn’t stayed in the shower longer than ten minutes before jumping out and slipping into her school uniform that consisted of a white tee, black skinny jeans, and a grey cardigan with the school’s logo resting on her right side. Nyesha quickly glanced at herself in the mirror, making sure she had looked good enough to head to school. Her cinnamon complexion looked flushed from all the training while her honey-toned eyes sparkled with excitement for the day to progress. Her curly, out-of-control, and naturally dark brown hair with light brown streaks piled at the top of her head into a neat bun. As Nyesha slipped on her Jordans, her eyes shifted toward the clock, and she couldn’t believe it: 7:50. It was her first day of being a senior in high school, and she couldn’t be late. Hurriedly, she rushed down the stairs, swinging her bag around her shoulder, as she swiped an apple off the table and rushed to the door.

Come on, Alexis! We’re going to be late, Nyesha yelled up to her eight-year-old sister.

I’m coming! Alexis screamed before coming into view and giving their mom a hug. Bye, Mommy.

Bye, honey. You two have a good day at school, and hurry before you’re late. Nye nodded and gave her mom a quick hug before grabbing her sister’s arm and tugging her along. Thankfully her sister’s school wasn’t too far from their home, so it had only taken them five minutes for her to drop her sister and then head to school.

Nye! her best friend, Tiana, yelled as soon as Nyesha reached the school, pulling her into her embrace. I missed you, best friend! Nyesha could only shake her head. Her best friend had always been a tad bit dramatic. Standing at five foot six inches, with a honey-toned complexion, hazel eyes, and long straight brown hair, her friend was the definition of natural beauty as she never let a makeup brush ever hit her face.

Tiana, you were at my house a week ago.

Whatever, Tiana mumbled, waving her off before flipping her hair over shoulder and leading Nyesha into the school. Are you excited? It’s our senior year. The year where we can finally do something big!

Sure we will, Nyesha mumbled sarcastically before grabbing her schedule out of her bag. What classes do you have this semester? Tiana slipped her timetable out of her pocket and quickly scanned it.

Math, dance, gym, and drama. What about you?

Chemistry, law, gym, and drama.

Yes! We have two classes together. The two did their signature handshake that they had made up when they were seven before bursting into laughter.

Are you joining the basketball team this year? Nyesha asked once they had stopped laughing.

Yeah of course, what about you?

Already started to practice. Before Tiana could respond, the bell had rung, and the two girls hugged quickly before Nyesha headed off to her first class of her senior year, chemistry.

***

Good morning, class. I’m Mr. Lee, and I’ll be teaching you chemistry. For the duration of this course, you will be partnered up with someone by random draw. They will be your partner in all of your assignments for this course and on the final summative. All right, here are your partners. Nyesha’s attention shifted toward the students in the class as she tried to figure out who would be the best person to work with. She quickly spotted out her friends Nia and Janice and smiled lightly. Anytime Nia or Janice was in her classes, like fate, they had always ended up partnered together.

Nia and Sam, Janice and Miguel, Nyesha and Dustin. Nyesha’s mouth dropped open, and she knew she couldn’t have heard it right. There was no way on the face of this earth that she and Dustin could be partnered up for the entire year.

Mr. Lee, can I request a partner change? He shook his head no before handing out their assignments for the month. They consisted of several tests, experiments, and an assignment on getting to know their partner. How was she going to manage being partnered up with the one guy whom she couldn’t stand?

How’s it going, baby girl? Nyesha couldn’t help but roll her eyes. Nyesha and Dustin had known each other since they were seven. Their families had dinners together once every month, yet he still loved to bother her. Nyesha reluctantly looked up at the man sitting on her desk, and although she couldn’t stand him, she had to admit: the boy had some gorgeous eyes. Light hazel orbs looked down at her with a caramel complexion and a million-dollar smile. Dustin’s short Afro-cut style suited his look well, and his athletic build filled out the school’s uniform incredibly.

Just hurry up and take a seat so we can get started.

What’s the rush?

I don’t like waiting until the last couple of days to get things done.

But I do, Dustin challenged, leaning closer to Nyesha.

Must everything be competitive with you?

When it involves you, it does, he teased, but once he noticed she was not amused, he shook his head silently and took a seat.

You know, Nye, I think I finally figured out your problem.

Oh really?

Yup. You don’t know how to let go and have fun.

I didn’t know that was your concern.

Well, it is now, congratulations. Nyesha rolled her eyes.

Thanks but no thanks. I’d prefer we just get this assignment done. Before Dustin could argue anymore, the bell rang, signaling the transition from period 1 to 2. Nyesha quickly packed up her stuff before leaving the classroom with Dustin hot on her trail.

Wait up, Nye!