Chapter 5

It's the weekend at the University of Houston and a big game is upon us.

"Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to today's game featuring... the Virginia Cavaliers... and YOURRR Houston Cougars! Performing this country's national anthem is UH's own... Anna Williams!" Luther Lawson projected in the mic. He then thought about what she texted to him...

"Got a surprise for you at the game..."

Anna never mentioned to him that she could sing. Nevertheless, Anna blew a kiss at him. Luther mouthed: "You got this, doll face."

"O say can you see..." Anna started.

Meanwhile, in the tunnel was The University of Houston Cougars basketball team. Currently undefeated, winning almost every game handily in another blowout fashion. When most of the team was stretching and getting hyped, Devon Thornton was talking to Caleb. 

"Yo, seriously, that chick has been running through my mind the last two days. You think she's here? And How big do you think her tits are?" Devon said. 

"Damn, you want this chick do you?" Caleb said.

"Devon. Caleb. Did you ever think she has a boyfriend?" Bryan Gordon said.

"I will tell you right now..." Caleb started.

"We don't care!" Devon said, laughing. "I still want to fuck the shit of her..." 

"All right, first big game. Virginia has been to the Final Four in the last five years. It won't be easy. It will be ugly. With that in mind... Sometimes looks aren't everything. Let's get a win, dammit." 

"Ladies and gentlemen, introducing YOUR HOUSTONNNNNN COUGARS!!!!" Luther Lawson boomed on the mic. They ran out as a unit.

(Intro hits)

A few minutes later warmups, after the visiting team introductions... The University of Houston basketball team starters got introduced.

"All right, Houston! Stand up! On your feet! For your reigning, defending, undisputed conference champions... YOURRRR HOUSTON COUUUUUUUGARS!!! At guard, a sophomore, number 11, Trevonnnnnnnn... MORRIS! At the other guard, a senior, number 24, Quentin... Wilkins! At center, he is a senior, number 10, Bryan Gordon! At forward, he is a sophomore, number 33, Devonta... SWIFT! And at the other forward, a freshman, number 6, he is The Chosen One... Devonnnnnnn THORNTON! Ladies and gentlemen, your Houston Cougars!" Luther boomed, enthusiastically, while the the band played. "All right, Houston, get ready because... it's show time!"

The referee tossed the ball up for the tipoff. Virginia won, however, Deandre Swift stole the ball. Deandre then dunked the ball ferociously, doing the Darius Miles celebration afterwards.

"Deandreeeeeee... SWIFT!"

Virginia brought the ball up to call the next play. The point guard dribbled it up nonchalantly, directing traffic, when all of a sudden Trevon Morris pick pocketed him. The crowd stood up and cheered for an easy layup.

"Trevonnnnnn... MORRIS!"

The Cougars eventually went on an early hot streak, winning 12-0 early. Virginia called timeout.

Meanwhile, in the stands, Rebecca Romero and Abby Jordan were with Ryan Lewis and Thad Thomas in the student section.

"I didn't know Luther had a girlfriend... A white one, at that..." Rebecca said.

"Uh, Becky, need I remind you... your fiancé is black? Don't do that, ma'am," Abby replied.

"Wait, you know Luther?" Thad said.

"I know him from high school. And this one time in..." Rebecca said.

"Stop. We agreed not to tell," Abby said.

"Tell what?" Ryan said.

"That we hung out in Vegas," Becky said. "Jenna and Katie was there too. We saw a girl show and clubbed together."

"Now that you think of it, Vegas might have been before he got with Anna..." Abby said, thinking.

"Oh my entire shit. That lucky bastard. We need answers."

After the timeout, a substitute came in.

"Coming in for the Cougars... Number 25, Wesley... GRAYYYYY!"

The next play, Virginia scored quickly for a three pointer. Afterwards, Trevon was looking for Wesley. Trevon brought it up quickly. He got open in the corner for a three pointer. He shot it with all the confidence he had. He missed. However... In came Devon Thornton dunking it in for a tip-dunk with his off hand. Luther internally laughed and mouthed "Wow." before announcing:

"Devonnnnnnn THORNTON!"

"Damn, I love my job," Luther said to himself.

Devon Thornton looked at his off hand and pointed to the crowd. That was the beginning of a career night for him. However, it would be overshadowed by someone else...

At halftime, the Cougars were winning by 10. Luther's phone vibrated. It was a text:

"Remember how I said I had I had a surprise?"

Luther texted back:

"You singing wasn't it?"

She texted back:

"Not all of it. I brought Gabby to the game. It's coming," With a smiling emoji.

Not even two minutes later, on the titantron was Jonathan Gibson:

"Hey, Gabby, it's me. Your Superman. I don't really have much to say except... I talked to a friend the other day to say what I was going to do. I saw that same look in his eyes with his lady. You're my Lois. You're my star. You're my diamond. I have a question. Will you marry me?" 

The crowd cheered and started doing a "Yes!" Chant. She turned her head and smiled.

"Gabby. I'm closer than you think..." Jonathan said on the Titantron.

The tron said "WILL YOU MARRY ME?" in all caps. Gabby nodded. Jonathan said behind her: 

"I'm closer than you think..."

They start making out.

Meanwhile...

"God, I'm a hopeless romantic..." Luther said, to himself.

"Wasn't that romantic, babe?" Anna said.

"Yeah, it was... I'm not going to lie, it got me. I'm on soon. You didn't tell me you could sing!"

Anna smiled.

"Maybe I could serenade you sometime..."

"Ooh. I'm on. Go on with your sexy self, doll face!"

Anna sashayed back, looking back at Luther. He smiled.

"Now... Welcome back YOUR HOUSTON COUGARS!"

The team again ran out of the tunnel like a unit, running lay-up lines.

Five minutes later...

"It's... COUGAR BALL!" Luther yelled.

The same starters started the second half. Devon Thornton got the ball in the post, but got double-teamed. He threw it outside to Trevon. He pump faked. Quentin then quickly ran to the hoop and caught a bounce pass for a reverse layup.

"Quentin... Wilkins! The assist from Trevon Morris!"

Virginia inbounded the pass, but DeAndre stole the ball again, resulting in a tomahawk slam.

"DeAndre... SWIFT!"

Virginia called another timeout, this time down 15.

Meanwhile in the stands...

"Ryan?"

"Ashley?"

"Becky?"

"Why are we saying each other's names?" Thad said.

"I know, right?" Abby said.

"You know Ryan?" Ashley said.

"Yeah, he's a... good friend of mine," Becky said. "This is Abigail, one of my sorority sisters. Her brother is on the team. And Thaddeus... Who is obviously checking you out. Don't mind him. He's cute, in a homely way."

"If you think I'm not used to perverts by now..." Ashley said. "Nice to meet you. Hello? My eyes are up here..."

Then a look of realization formed on Thad's face.

"Oh my Lord, this is the big booty chick you were talking about..." Thad looked back to check out Ashley not-so-subtly. "Holy Jesus, that is an ass."

"Don't say anything stupid, Thad. Oh wait. Too late. You know how your horniness gets you," Ryan said. "Besides I just got friendly with Ashley."

"Nice to meet you too. I am truly, truly sorry about that. Thaddeus Thomas, pleased to meet you," Thad said with a semi-confident smile.

"Ashley Mendez. I appreciate you looking me in my eyes instead of my ass for two seconds," She said, tilting her head. 

Ryan chuckled. Ashley smiled at him.

"Oh, and Ryan, I saw you checking me out. I have a boyfriend," She said, smiling. Ryan cursed.

After the timeout, the Cougars substituted three people:

"Coming in for the Cougars: Number 25, Wesley... GRAYYYYY! Number 4, Justin Gordon! And Number 9, Alex Jordan!"

Virginia eventually made a run. They were only down by five points at this time. The Cougars had the ball. Virginia had a full court press. They inbounded to Wesley Gray, who had incredible speed. He no-look passed it to Alex, who was open, and shot it without a second thought. He made it. Luther was mildly surprised.

"Alex... JORDANNNN! THREEEEEEEEE!!! From Wesley Gray!"

Despite Virginia's best efforts, this was Alex Jordan and Wesley Gray's game. They could not stop them.

"Wesley... GRAYYYYYY!!! THREEEEEEEEE!!!! From Alex Jordan!"

Even when they didn't score, somebody else feasted. Whether it's Justin on a dunk...

"Justin... GORRRRRDONNNNN! The assist from Alex Jordan!"

Trevon Morris on multiple three pointers...

"Trevonnnnnn... MORRIS! THREEEEEEEE!!! From Wesley Gray!"

To Devon Thornton on fierce, poster dunks...

"Devonnnnnnnn... THORNTON! The assist from Alex Jordan!"

To DeAndre Swift alley-oops...

"DeAndre... SWIFT! From Wesley Gray!"

Wesley Gray and Alex Jordan both had six assists each. Through all of this... Virginia still was in the game, down five with 90 seconds left. The Cougars called timeout.

"It's less than two minutes... MAKE... SOME... NOISE!!!!" Luther boomed. 

"DEFENSE! DEFENSE! DEFENSE!" The crowd chanted as Virginia got ready to inbound the ball.

Their point guard brought up the ball quickly. He passed it to the big man who was currently being guarded by Devon. One of Devon's glaring weaknesses is defense. He soon received help by Bryan Gordon. However it was too late. Devon fouled him as he made a lay-up.

"It's all right. Next play. Next play," Bryan said, reassuringly.

The Virginia big man made his only free throw, cutting the lead to only two with 65 seconds left. Quentin inbounded the ball. Virginia had a full court press again. No one was open. Quentin saw Devon get open. He did a touchdown pass down court to Devon who barely caught it and bounce passed it behind him to DeAndre, who had an open dunk.

"DeAndre... SWIFT! From Devon Thornton! One minute! Inside one minute remaining in regulation!" Luther said. Devon roared and high-fived DeAndre.

Virginia wasted no time scoring on the next play. They answered with a three-pointer. The Cougars clung onto a one point lead. They called another timeout. Afterwards, substitutions were made...

"Coming in for the Cougars... Number 25, Wesley Gray! And number 9, Alex Jordan!"

Trevon inbounded it to Wesley Gray who dribbled it up the court. He directed traffic, then passed it to Devon Thornton, who was the leading scorer and rebounder of the game. Devon got double teamed. He then passed it out to Alex. Alex went to the basket fearlessly, but then saw Bryan open. Alex threw a last second lob to Bryan for an alley-oop dunk, which was Bryan's only points of this game.

"Bryan... GORDON! From Alex Jordan!"

Bryan pointed to him and smiled. It was now 28 seconds left. The shot clock was off. The Cougars were nursing a three-point lead. Virginia dribbled the clock out. With three seconds left, they launched a three pointer to tie and they did. The crowd went silent. Devon Thornton inbounded to Wesley. Wesley, using his speed, dribbled for his life and heaved the ball from mid court, praying it would go in.

"WESLEY... GRAY! THREEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!! Cougars winnnnnnnnnn..." Luther boomed.

Luther smiled warmly as the team dog-piled upon Wesley.

"WESLEY! WESLEY! WESLEY! WESLEY!" The student section chanted.

"You deserve it, young Wesley. You deserve it," Luther said.

After the game...

Luther Lawson was making his way out of the arena when he saw his girlfriend, Anna Williams, at their usual meeting point.

"What's up, doll face?" Luther said. "Beautiful anthem tonight. You like the way I said your name?"

"Thank you, baby. What's up with you?" Anna said before finally kissing him. "Yes, I did. Hell of a game. Didn't know Wes had it in him."

"Wes is good. Really good. But what I want to know is... You can sing?" Luther said.

"Yeah, I kinda wanted to be Britney when I was young. But I had more of an Amy Lee voice. You know, Evanescence? I sang when I was young." Anna said.

"Man, Britney was my first white chick that I felt something for! I love her! And Evanescence. Middle school was my inner Caucasian phase," Luther Lawson said, chuckling. "You want to know a secret? I sang in school. High school baritone. How else do you think I got these tones?"

"Woo," Trevon Morris, (with his aunt, Tami) and Caleb Wright said.

"My man Trevon! Your handles were elite out there, brother," Luther said.

"Thanks."

"Hey, Luther," Tami said.

"Hey, Tami," Luther said. Anna shot him a look. "Oh, by the way, Tami, Trevon told me that we could babysit for you."

"We?" Tami and Trevon said.

"Yeah. Myself and Anna. Anna loves kids. She just wants to help."

"Ohhhh, ok, ok," Tami said.

"I just want to ask about the pay..."

"Oh, Lord," Trevon said.

Elsewhere on campus, still walking to her vehicle, Rebecca Romero is talking to her fiancé.

"Can you just show me a little something!" Larry said.

"Trust me, my pussy is like the Sahara too. Besides, I just sent you a titty pic."

"Damn, you need some for real." Larry said, making her giggle at his corny joke. "But the things I would do to you if I was there..."

"I know, babe. But for real though, I'm in public right now."

"Awwww, please?"

Becky thought about it.

"Ok."

She began to hike up her dress and showed Larry her treasure. It was slightly unshaven, but he didn't care.

"You like?" She said, with that smile of hers.

"Hell yeah. Damn, I wish I was there."

Rebecca then got a text from Ryan:

"Remember what we talked about."

"I wish you were here too."

Meanwhile in the distance, the Thornton family was walking to their vehicle in the parking garage. Nicole and Nick was talking amongst themselves about Devon's stellar game. While Devon has his eye on a pretty woman.

"Devon. Devon. What are you looking at?" Nicole asked. "Or who are you looking at..."

"Nothing," He lied.

Nicole quickly found out. In the not-so-far distance was Fancy Escobar bending over picking up something.

"Were you... Oh no sir. You know why you got sent here, right?" Nicole said.

"What was it?" Nick said.

"Yeah, what was it?" DeAndre Swift said.

"Yeah, what?" A buxom, pretty girl alongside DeAndre said with a smile.

"A girl," Nicole said.

"Who?" DeAndre said.

Nicole whispered her name in her brother's ear. Nick in turn whispered it in DeAndre's ear.

"That's her? The one with the big..." DeAndre started.

"DeAndre, shut up."

"Stop. One of these days you boys will learn..." Nicole said.

"Wow," Nick said. "It's locker room talk, girls, all right? Chill out on Devon."

"I'm just saying. You screwed up your two scholarships already. All because you couldn't keep your hands to yourself. Nobody taught you this. I will. Respect women," Nicole said.

"I will." Devon said. "I don't think we've met... Devon Thornton, The Chosen One."

"I gathered. Great game, Devon. My name is Cecilia. Cecilia Swift..." Cecilia said.

"Wait, wait, wait... are you related to..." Devon asked.

"She's my older cousin."

"That fine-ass woman is your..." Devon said, incredulously.

"Why thank you. I have one question for you, Mr. Thornton. Do you have hoop dreams? Because I can take you there. Cecilia Swift, Agent extraordinaire. Once you get out of college... call me," She said.

Meanwhile...

"About pay..." Luther said.

"I got your back. I see you got a girl, huh? What do you say I pay you cash plus a discount to where I work," Tami said. "If you're using that... Leave the chick."

"Where do you work then?" Luther asked.

Tami whispered it to Luther.

"Don't tell Trevon," She whispered.

"How? Just how? We've known each other since we were 16."

"Trevon just doesn't need to know."

"So, what time do you want us over? We got some nephews to babysit."