Center Courtship (35 page)

“What is your name?” asked the woman.

“Mae Rogers and guest,” I said as I went to dig for my ticket.

“Oh, yes! Just step to the door down there and someone will let you in. Most VIP guests were expected to arrive through the parking deck or the other VIP entrance so we didn't have anyone set up down at that door. With it being the first day for the arena, we're doing a lot of learning on the spot.”

“I understand completely,” I smiled at her and looked at the woman who was trying her best to keep a smile on her face for Saraya. “Saraya's seat was given to my nephew.” I told the teller.

“If her name's not on the list, she's not getting in. We don't have anything available, the place is sold out.”

“Well, if you can keep her out here, that would be preferred.”

I wrapped my hand around Aaron's elbow and we walked back to the VIP door.

We stood there for a moment and the door swung open. A man in a suit stepped out and looked at me and Aaron. Aaron
was in a button down, pressed white shirt and tie and pleated dress pants. I could see him being taken for a VIP guest. I, on the other hand, felt dingy and nasty after being swarmed by the press.

“I am so sorry!” said the man as he held the door open for us. “We weren't expecting anyone at the front door. Please, accept my deepest apologies.” I almost laughed at his desire to apologize.

“You are fine!” I said as we stepped into a room with couches and chairs all emblazoned with the Whoopsters names and logo.

“I don't know, there should have been a red carpet out there,” joked Aaron.

“You are so right, sir! Next time, I promise we'll get one down!” I could barely control my laughter as he led us through the room and to an elevator that was disguised by a large mural.

In the elevator, he handed us VIP passes attached to orange and black lanyards that we put around our necks.

“Those give you access to the locker room hall which is in the opposite direction from where we'll be turning from when we get off the elevator,” he said. “You can only go into the locker room if you have a specific press pass, otherwise you have to wait for the players outside their locker room.” Aaron and I nodded and butterflies started fluttering in my stomach. “Those passes also give you a specialized menu to choose from and access to the VIP lounge which we'll pass on the way towards the court.”

We descended to the lowest level and followed him as he led us toward the arena floor. He indicated the direction we'd need to go in if we wished to go to the locker room hall, one way would take us to the visiting teams' locker, the other to the Whoopsters. He pointed out the lounge door which was guarded by a large man wearing a black leather jacket, sunglasses and a scowl. The door was frosted glass so it was hard to see who or what was happening inside. We followed a sign labeled VIP seating and soon emerged from a tunnel-like hallway, finding ourselves with our feet inches from the actual court.

The high polished blond wood reflected the lights of the illuminated LED advertisements that lit up the different layers of seating. A large four-sided score board with huge screens on
each side hung from the middle of the ceiling and from our angle it was hard to look at for long because it was up high for people who weren't lucky enough to be able to see the action close up. There were cameras and reporters doing interviews at different points around the perimeter of the court. I soon noticed Elsu standing center court with Mitchell. Mitchell's eyes were huge as he looked around the giant room, trying to take it all in. Brandon was wheeling himself across the floor as fast as he could with a basketball in his lap. He got to a hoop and tried to make a shot, but he only had one working hand and wasn't able to get the ball high enough. One of the other practicing Whoopsters grabbed the ball and made the shot for Brandon. They continued to attempt to play one-on-one. I smiled at my nephews who were having the time of their lives.

“There you are,” Elsu gave me a quick kiss and eyed Aaron cautiously as he noticed I still had my arm in his. “Are you sure you two are just friends?”

“Honest,” said Aaron with a smile. “I swear!”

Elsu guided us to our seats. There was a line of super-plush chairs that extended nearly the entire length of the court. The backs of the chairs had the team's owl stitched into them. They each had cup holders and could recline a bit for maximum comfort. There were a number of seats, a break at center court which lined up with the steps behind it, and then more seats the rest of the way. A guard sat at a gate at the steps where the break in the line was, keeping the non-VIP fans from wandering onto the floor. Our seats were right at center court. Directly behind the seats we were assigned were three rows of more seats that were also apparently for VIP guests, but weren't quite as extravagant as ours. A chair had been removed from behind my seat to make room for Brandon's wheelchair, and Max sat in the next one. Gina sat nearby in one of her assigned seats, watching her children on the court and taking pictures.

A number of the VIP seats were already filled. Celebrities who probably couldn't have located Massillon on a map a year ago were scattered throughout and I was star struck. TV stars, movie stars, music stars and politicians filled the spaces. I couldn't believe the faces I was seeing.

Elsu grabbed my hand and led me to center court. “We don't have a lot of time before the team's break is over. But here,” he handed me a ball. “Take your shot.”

“You are a sore loser, you know that, right?” I couldn't believe he was still playing HORSE.

“No, I just like to finish what I start.” He tapped me on my rear. “Go, pick your spot.”

I felt like I was performing for the celebrities, I figured they were probably watching Elsu, therefore I assumed they were also watching me. I walked to the free throw line and lined up my shot.

“You already took that shot!” said Elsu.

“Is there a rule I can't take it again?”

“If there isn't, there should be,” he said as he stood next to me.

“You afraid you'll miss it again?” I smiled at him. I turned toward the basket and lined up for the second time. This time I felt hands on my waist and lips at my ear.

“Bet you can't make it now,” he said as he blew into my ear, leaving a trail of heat around the edge of my ear with his tongue. Every nerve in my body woke up and I nearly melted into a gooey Mae puddle right there in front of everyone.

“You suck, you know that?” I said to him.

“Someday, I'd like to.”

ARGH!!!
My body was betraying me. My mind was determined to not give into him, but crowd be damned, if my body had any more control, I'd be jumping this man right here on the court. I aimed, threw the ball and of course I missed it. I might have had a better chance if someone wasn't now trying to tickle me.

“FINALLY!” He said as he grabbed the ball. “My turn!”

“You do know two can play your game, right?” I asked as I stepped close to him. Our bodies just inches apart.

“OWLS!” a loud voice startled me. “Break's up! Get your butts in the locker room!”

“Saved by the coach,” said Elsu as he gave me a kiss on the forehead and followed his teammates off the court.

I walked back to my seat and sat next to Aaron. Mitchell had joined his mom at his seat and Brandon's wheelchair had been
maneuvered into his spot. Max's head appeared at my shoulder between me and Aaron. “That was some show, sis.”

I closed my eyes, I wasn't ready to let that tingling feeling go but there it went. Brothers really know how to ruin things.

“We have a running game of HORSE from when I was at his place last weekend. He is up to R. I don't have any letters. He's taking it pretty hard,” I smiled.

Max sat back in his seat and folded his arms across his chest. He eyed me suspiciously. I knew he was showing restraint in front of his son who was holding a ball that one of the other players had given him.

I turned and faced the court as I saw the regular seats beginning to fill. Aaron leaned over to me and whispered in my ear. “For what it's worth, that show was effing hot!”

I laughed out loud and swatted him on the arm.

I continued to watch the seats fill and looked to see if I saw anyone I knew. “You know what, Aaron?” I said as the hum of the crowd started to intensify and music began to play loudly.

“What, Mae?” he asked.

“I hate crowds.”

“Why?” he asked.

“Because I do.”

“Oookay,” he said as he scanned the court.

“You don't understand, Aaron. I'm panic attack afraid of crowds.”

“Oh! So this whole situation is not going to go over well?”

The two teams came out on the court and started practicing their shots. This of course had the crowd getting louder. I covered my ears and tried to remember the techniques the quack of a psychiatrist tried to teach me all those years ago. Picturing myself outside and acting like the roof was a beautiful blue sky wasn't helping. What else did he say?

“Let me guess, Mae. You stopped taking your medicine,” said Max into my ear.

“Of course I did. I never saw myself being in a situation surrounded by 20,000 people. There was no point.”

“You nearly flipped out at the hospital last weekend. You might need to go back to that doctor and get a refill.”

“That guy was an idiot,” I said as I continued to cover my ears. I saw Elsu who was completely involved in warming up for the game. I followed the path he took and watched him make every shot. I wondered how he had missed the ones at his old house when there was so little distraction compared to the big crowd surrounding him here.

I felt a tap on my shoulder and a woman stood with a pile of menus in her hand. “These should have already been at your seats. If you need anything just text the number on the menu,” she said sweetly and continued down the row of seats.

“Salmon? Sushi?” I said to Aaron as we looked at the menu. “Champagne? At a basketball game?”

“You're in the big leagues here, Mae.”

“I was just thinking some nachos with cheese and jalapeños, and a beer,” I said as I looked at the list of wines and shook my head. “I can't afford this stuff anyway.”

“How do you know?”

“There's no prices listed, that's a sign it's too expensive,” I said.

“No,” said the well-dressed man on the other side of Aaron. “Food and drink are complimentary. Get whatever you want.”

I sat forward to eye the man who was speaking. “You!”

“Yes, Mae?”

“How do you know her name?” asked Aaron.

“We've met,” he smiled and held out his hand to shake mine. “I'm Jonathan Brothers.”

“Jonathan Brothers? As in Brothers Arena Jonathan Brothers?” asked Aaron excitedly.

“One and the same,” he smiled.

“You're the man in the tree I spoke with at breakfast!”

“I am.”

“Thank you for buying my meal. Also, thank you for helping with my problem. How did you know who I was talking about?”

“You gave enough details for me to figure it out. Plus, I recognized you when you came in to the restaurant.”

I bowed my head in shame. “I'm never eating asparagus again!”

“Hey, I thought it was funny. Some people tend to blow things way out of proportion.”

“Like Carl?”

“Most definitely. He's been instructed to make sure nothing comes between you and Elsu. You let me know if he screws up. I've tried to ensure I had a hand in all of the hiring that has happened with the team and the arena. Somehow he slipped through the cracks. He has a two year contract or else I would have gotten rid of him a few weeks ago.”

“Shouldn't you be upstairs in one of those fancy boxes?” I asked him.

“Nah, I'd rather be down here with the action.”

“I've heard your name a ton of times the last few years but never actually seen your face,” I said to him. “It's nice to meet you.”

“You too, Mae.” He sat back in his seat and I looked to Aaron.

Aaron silently spoke the words “OH MY GOD!” to me then sat back in his seat. “So, you said the stuff on this menu is free?” he asked Jonathan.

“That's just for the Owner seat menu. VIP seats have to pay. Their menus have prices.”

“Are you sure?” I asked, disbelieving I could get a steak for free. Who eats steak at a basketball game?

“I am very sure.”

Jonathan was probably in his forties. Gray hair lined his temples but he was very handsome. His tailored suit was all we needed to know about his wealth. Every piece of him was aligned in rich perfection. The gold watch that stuck out from his sleeve was so over-the-top I had to smile.

Aaron started talking to Jonathan, leaving me out of his conversation.

I went back to scanning the crowd with my hands lightly over my ears. I couldn't believe I was already starting to trigger and the actual game hadn't even started. A ball got out of hand and rolled to my feet. I bent down to grab it and handed it to the hands that were outstretched in front of me. Casper. “Mae,” he said shortly then walked away.

“Shit,” I said. I had forgotten that he would be there. How was he even able to move after the mess I saw him in after Elsu beat him at the dinner? I needed to take a break already. I stood
up and grabbed my purse and was face to face with the five wives who were all carrying mixed drinks and laughing amongst themselves.

“MAE!” Said Bridget as she wrapped her free arm around my shoulders.

“Hey girls!” I said. Their smiling faces made me smile. “Where are your seats?” The girls scooted down the row behind me in front of Max and Brandon. They sat down in the seats that started three down from Max.

“Right here, lady!” said M'Kaya.

I quickly introduced the five women to my small group and excused myself to the restroom which was near the VIP lounge. Once I exited the restroom, I eyed the large man guarding the door. “What happens in there?” I asked shyly.