Full Court Devotion Read online

  “Is it a requirement of basketball players to have plate-sized hands and giraffe legs?” she asked.

  “Nice to know I’m so attractive to you.”

  Kazlyn blushed furiously, not sure how to respond to that. He would be attractive to anyone who called herself a female. She gave him a quick smile before turning and walking toward her office.

  “See you tonight,” he called after her. “If you smile like that at some of the male students, they’ll help you sit down close so I can see you. If I knew your name I could get you tickets in the patrons’ section.”

  “No demands and no names,” she shot back at him.

  He held up those plate-sized hands again and gave her one more tempting grin. Her mouth watered and not just because she’d skipped her granola bar to talk to him.

  Chapter Two

  Ty was still smiling as he changed in the locker room that night. The girl with no name was not only beautiful, but fun to talk to. It was rare he met a girl who didn’t know who he was. Rare and kind of nice. He appreciated his fans, but he knew most girls dated him because of his semi-stardom—not what he was looking for and definitely not what he would be taking home to meet his mom.

  Jamison bumped into his shoulder. “Hey, you going to wake up and join us for warmups?”

  “Not sleeping, just daydreaming.”

  “Ooh. Care to share?”

  “Nope.” He thought of Natalya’s sweet smile and large green eyes. How even though she looked weighed down by her bag, she seemed to dance instead of merely walk. Then, there was the way he’d felt when he touched her. He wasn’t sharing those memories with anyone.

  Jamison pumped his eyebrows. “She must be impressive.”

  Ty nodded his agreement. Natalya was definitely impressive.

  “Maybe you’ll spill the details on the drive to my house for Christmas.”

  Ty kept the smile on his face, barely. He appreciated not having to stay in his apartment alone during the break, but he wished he could afford to go home and be with his mom and little sisters. Graduation was only four months after Christmas, then he would drive his beat-up Toyota home for the summer.

  “You really need me in that three on three tournament, don’t you?” he asked Jamison.

  “Ha! I could win it by myself, I’m just trying to keep you in shape during the break.”

  “You promised your momma could cook. I’m planning on gaining a bunch of weight.”

  “She can and she will love to spoil you.” Jamison’s tone softened. “Your mom would want you to come with me.”

  “I know,” Ty exhaled. “She told me so last night.”

  “I wish you could see them, man.”

  Ty nodded and forced a smile. “Me, too.” He threw his warmups into his locker. “Let’s go beat up on some Utes.”

  “Sounds good.”

  Ty jogged next to his friend. He forced his thoughts from his mom and a feisty blonde who wouldn’t tell him her name. It was time to play ball and remind Coach Anderson why he’d recruited a no-name from Alabama.

  ***

  Kazlyn stared blankly at her book. Her roommates were all at the basketball game and for once, she could study in her apartment in peace and quiet. Why couldn’t she concentrate? She said a quick prayer, asking for help getting through the next two weeks of school. She pushed out a long sigh, knowing exactly why she couldn’t focus. The reason was tall, dark, and handsome, and she could remember every cute and teasing thing he’d said to her today.

  Her phone beeped. A text from her oldest brother, Luke. Do I need to come visit you and send the wrath of big brother into all those boys who are chasing you?

  She smiled and typed a quick reply. No time for boys, so no worries.

  Then I can go to bed in peace tonight.

  Sure thing. See you in a week.

  Sounds great.

  Kazlyn stared at the pile of homework and wished Luke did have something to worry about. Ty’s face came into her mind again. She shoved away from the small kitchen table, grabbed her coat, and hurried out the door. The icy wind hit her as soon as she exited the building. Luckily, The Spectrum was only a few blocks up the hill.

  The wind pushed her through the glass doors as if it wanted her to see Ty as much as she did. The lobby was deserted. She walked up the empty escalator to get there faster. The ticket takers had already deserted their posts and as she drew closer to the stadium, the roar of the crowd almost pushed her back. The Aggie fans were screaming, “Left, right, left, right.”

  Kazlyn peeked through an opening and saw one of the red-jerseyed Utah Utes walking to his bench, obviously he’d just fouled out. He paused for a second and the crowd paused with him. He resumed his steps and the, “Left, right,” started again. As soon as he reached his seat, they all screamed in unison, “Sit down!”

  The player shook his head, but sat down. Kazlyn laughed. The students were organized, she’d give them that. She scanned across the standing, pulsating student section for a seat, but couldn’t see a break in the bodies and really didn’t want to push her way through. Looking at the section below filled with families and older couples, she saw a few open seats down by one of the portals to the locker rooms. She picked her way down the stairs, settled into an open seat, and focused on the game.

  Ty’s tall form was close to the three-point line. USU’s guard had barely crossed half-court before he drilled the ball at Ty. Dribbling straight in, Ty dodged two defenders, leaped, and dunked the ball. Kazlyn jumped to her feet to cheer with the rest of the crowd.

  The students erupted together and drew out his name, “Tyyyy-reeese.” Kazlyn got the feeling they did that cheer a lot. A couple of teenage girls sat behind Kazlyn. They giggled and she heard the one say, “Ty is so hot. I love him!”

  She, and probably most of the other females in the crowd, had a hard time looking at anyone except Ty. One other player stood out, a huge redhead. He looked like a farm boy who could’ve been from Snow Valley. When the announcer said, “And Jamison Hall grabs another rebound,” Kazlyn did a double-take. Jamison had been a few years older than her, but he was from her hometown. Crazy. She remembered the big fuss in Snow Valley about him being good at basketball, but she didn’t realize he was this good.

  Jamison gave Ty an assist and the crowd went crazy with their Ty-rese cheer again. Kazlyn was amazed at the way Ty moved. She’d watched a lot of basketball with both of her brothers playing for their high school team, but Ty was better than anyone she’d seen. His hands just seemed to know where the ball was going to be as he pulled in rebounds or was in just the right spot for someone to pass it in and score. She’d noticed how big he was, but in just a jersey and shorts she couldn’t help but look at his nicely-defined shoulders, arms, and calves. He definitely didn’t have giraffe-legs and she could understand why the girls behind her kept talking about him.

  With only a minute left in the game, one of the students yelled out the score of each team, the other students repeated it as one, then they pointed from the Aggies to the Utes, and in a deafening roar screamed, “Winning team, losing team.”

  “That’s just mean,” Kazlyn muttered.

  The game finished with the Aggies winning 86-78. Kazlyn joined with everyone in cheering. The team ran down the tunnel she was sitting next to, slapping the hands of the children hanging over the edge. Ty jogged at the back of the pack. She wished she could get his attention, but was too embarrassed to hang over the tunnel. The girls behind Kazlyn screamed, “Ty!” He looked in their direction, but instead of seeing them, he focused on her.

  “Natalya!” He grinned, holding his large palm up.

  She leaned over and grabbed it. “Great game.”

  “Thanks.” His coaches were behind him and obviously waiting. “Will you wait for me?”

  She shook her head. “I can’t.”

  He nodded, his dark eyes dimming. “Okay. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

  As Ty followed his teammates out of sight, one of the coache
s eyed her strangely. Kazlyn forced a smile at the guy.

  “What is wrong with you?” One of the girls behind her demanded.

  Kazlyn whirled to face her. “Are you talking to me?”

  “You bet I am.” The cute brunette’s bottom lip jutted out. “Tyrese just asked you to wait for him and you told him ‘no’.”

  “I have a lot of homework.”

  The girl’s redheaded friend tossed her beautiful curls. “Girl, you are missing out.”

  Kazlyn gave them an apologetic smile and followed the crowd out of the stadium into the cold night air. Her homework had to come first, but she knew the teenagers were right. She was missing out, missing out on more than she wanted to think about.

  Chapter Three

  Kazlyn exited her class and looked discreetly around for Ty. He’d said he would see her tomorrow. She’d been watching for him all day, but this was the one place he knew she’d be. Not spotting him anywhere, her shoulders rounded and she trudged toward the exit. Thoughts of Ty and his teasing grin were the one bright spot with this dreary weather and the fear of finals pressing in.

  “Natalya.” His deep voice carried through the building and Kazlyn’s entire body warmed. She turned and waited as he jogged up to her. “Sorry,” he said. “I wanted to be outside your classroom, but I got…detained.”

  Even though Kazlyn knew it was some admiring girl who probably detained him, she didn’t mind, too much. At least he was here now. “I should’ve waited, but I didn’t know if…” She glanced down. He didn’t say anything and when she looked back up those dark eyes sparkled at her.

  “I told you I’d see you tomorrow. If I missed you here, I would’ve searched the student center for the office you work in.”

  “You wouldn’t.”

  “Don’t wait for me on Monday and you’ll see.”

  She couldn’t help but smile, wishing it wasn’t Friday, so she could see him tomorrow. She turned toward the door. “I’d better get to work.”

  “I’ll walk with you.” He reached over and relieved her of her heavy bag.

  “Thanks.” Ty’s smile, and the relief of not carrying her bag, made her feel like she was floating.

  They exited the door and once again, he shielded her from the canyon breeze with his body. It was such a simple gesture, but made her feel like he cared, like she might be more to him than all the other girls vying for his attention.

  They didn’t say much as they hurried through the wind to the student center. Kazlyn exhaled as they entered the warm building, pulling her gloves off and stuffing them in her coat pocket. “I don’t mind the cold that much, but this wind is vicious. I’d rather have it snow.”

  “I’d rather have it snow, too. I like the different seasons, where I’m from it’s usually too warm.”

  “Where are you from?” She glanced up at him shyly.

  “Alabama. You?”

  “Montana.”

  He responded kindly to some greetings, “Hey, Ty,” and “Great game,” then whirled back to her. “Back up the bus,” he said.

  Kazlyn stared at him, confused.

  He wrapped his large hand around her smaller one and tugged her out of the flow of people and into a semi-private corner of the large open area on the second floor.

  “You just told me where you’re from, but you still won’t tell me your name.”

  “It’s not like you’re going to track me to Montana.” She smiled.

  He arched his eyebrows. “Try me.”

  Kazlyn looked down at their clasped hands, then back up at him.

  His grin grew. “You’re letting me hold your hand and still won’t tell me what your name is.”

  Kazlyn didn’t deny it or pull away. She wanted to tell him her name, but she liked the way he teased her too much to give in, yet. And she really liked the way his hand felt around hers. “Maybe I’ll tell you my name Monday.”

  “You’d better,” he growled.

  She laughed.

  “How about letting me take you to dinner next weekend?” he asked.

  “What’s wrong with this weekend?” She couldn’t believe how much she wanted to go out with Ty. The teenagers at the ballgame last night really made her stop and think; she didn’t want to miss out. She wanted to get to know him—smile and laugh and feel alive. He did all that for her and she barely knew him. Being around him felt like springtime after a vicious Montana winter.

  He chuckled. “I wish it could be this weekend. We fly out for Vegas in a few hours, game tomorrow afternoon.”

  “Oh.” Kazlyn already felt the loss. Between studying and Ty not showing up to make her smile, it was going to be a very long weekend.

  He stroked his thumb along the back of her hand; tingles started on her skin and worked their way up. She swallowed, trying to control her racing heart.

  “What did you think of the game?” He looked like a little boy asking his favorite teacher if he’d done okay on the assignment.

  “You were amazing! I couldn’t believe the way you moved. It’s like you know exactly where the ball is going to be and you find it. I’ve never seen someone play basketball that well.” Kazlyn knew she was gushing, but she couldn’t seem to help herself.

  His smile and the way he gently rubbed her hand made all the gushing worth it. “Thanks. Did the students’ cheers bug you?”

  She shrugged. “Some of them were funny, but the one at the end is pretty mean.”

  “Winning team, losing team?”

  “Yeah.”

  “It is, but like I said, these are big boys, they can handle a little teasing.”

  “But that still isn’t a reason to be mean. How would Jesus treat the other team?”

  He laughed, but it was a friendly sound. “I should’ve known you’d be a Christian.” He squeezed her hand. “Don’t get me wrong. I am, too. And I agree that you shouldn’t belittle or make fun of people. I always try to treat the other team like I’d want to be treated.”

  She nodded, relieved he shared her faith. “I noticed when you were shaking hands that quite a few of them hugged you or thumped you on the back.”

  “They’re good guys. I know some of them from camps and I’ve played against a few of them for years.”

  She glanced at their hands one more time before reluctantly tugging free. “I’ve really got to go. My boss will be wondering what’s going on.”

  “Okay.” He handed the bag to her. “Wait for me outside your class Monday?”

  “Sure. Good luck this weekend.”

  “Thanks.”

  Kazlyn walked away, only allowing herself to look back once. Ty watched her. She waved, blushing and wondering if any man had made her feel this way before.

  Chapter Four

  Ty loved traveling to the warmer climate of Las Vegas and playing at UNLV, especially when they won. Church on Sunday was both inspiring and comforting, but all he could think about was what he would say to Natalya on Monday and what he would do for their date. She looked like an angel with her shiny, blonde hair and the way she seemed to dance as she walked. He loved making her smile. He didn’t know many students who took their studies that seriously. She radiated stress and worry, but she could still be fun and feisty. He wanted to be the one to help her relax and learn how to take a break.

  Ty leaned against the wall across from her classroom. Students spilled out. He responded to all of the friendly greetings, but could hardly wait to see Natalya. She was in the middle of the crowd and searching the hallway until she spotted him. Her green eyes lit up and Ty knew he was in trouble—he could fall hard for this girl.

  “Ty.” She rushed toward him and gave him a quick hug.

  Ty’s world started spinning. He wanted to hold on and never let go, but he didn’t want to scare her away.

  “How was the game?” she asked, moving a respectable distance away. Dangit.

  “It was great. We won.”

  “Congrats! Will you walk with me?”

  Ty grinned. “Did you r
eally have to ask?”

  “No.” Her rosebud lips turned up. “But I wanted to.”

  Oh, he liked that answer. He relieved her of her heavy bag and hung it over his shoulder. “I take it you don’t usually ask men to walk with you?”

  She shook her head. “Never any time for men.”

  “And why am I so lucky?”

  “I don’t know, you’re just special. Maybe I have a thing for giraffe legs.”

  He chuckled and opened the door for her, moving into position to shield her from the wind. The cold rushed down his collar and made his hair stand on end, but it was worth it to protect her. “Special as in there’s something wrong with me and you don’t want to make me feel bad, or special as in you might kind of like me?”

  She tilted her head up and her smile made his steps falter. He had to move quickly to stay by her side.

  “Maybe the latter, but I wouldn’t want it to go to your head.”

  “Ah, there is that problem.” He laughed.

  “Yes, but I’m going to work with you, remember?”

  He wrapped his hand around hers. “I can’t wait.”

  She didn’t pull her hand away and Ty was pretty sure, life couldn’t get any better. Maybe warmer, but not better. They climbed the stairs, entered the student center, and she still had her hand in his. Ty ignored the looks from other students. He’d dated a lot the first couple of years of college, letting the fame and all the female interest go to his head. But he had eventually realized most women didn’t care about getting to know him or developing more than a superficial relationship, they only wanted to be with him because he was a basketball star. He hadn’t gone out very often the past year and a half, focusing on his schooling and basketball. But Natalya was different, he hoped.

  “Do you think you could tell me your name now?” he asked.

  “Full name or just first name?” Natalya tilted her head up to look at him.

  “Full name would be nice. We are going out on Friday.”