Chapter 17 (Jayson's POV)

I was so excited for the game today, more so cause this would determine if we got 1 seed but also cause I would get to see Indi again. I'm glad she would be technically coming with me to the game and not with Jonah. I don't know what the dude was about but it was something telling me not to trust him. But I couldn't focus on that. I was getting stretched out and prepped for the game and was just scrolling on my phone when I saw a post from Indi on instagram. I had followed her on her social media so I decided to like a couple photos and I clicked on her story. She was looking good asf, and she had my number on which made her look even better. I slide up on her story

"You make my number look good💚" knowing how that would make her feel.

I told her I'd see her soon after and I closed instagram and put on some music to get my mind right for the game.

It was almost 7:15 and we would start warmups soon. The Grizzlies were good this year so I still had to bring my A game because one slip up and we could lose if we didn't play how we were supposed to. Soon we were in the tunnel getting hype before we ran out. 'March madness' started playing and me and all my teammates started rapping along to it before the announcer called us and we ran out of the tunnel. I came out last and when I turned around the corner I saw Indi across the floor and our eyes locked instantly and I gave her a smile. Eventually after I did stuff for the fans and talked to Coach Ime after warming up I headed over to where they were at to do my ritual with Duce and talk to him like I do every home game but I couldn't help but check out Indi. That girl was looking too good and I really liked her having my number on. Almost like in a small way she was letting people know she was with me which I liked especially. I said hey to everyone and picked up Duce, he was getting big but still liked to be picked up by his daddy, which I didn't mind cause how many more moments would I get like this with him ya know. And I loved this boy so much man, even though me and his mom had issues sometimes that didn't change anything between me and my lil Duce. He was always gonna be my forever and number one priority in my life. We had our special talk and I gave him a basketball and we played around while people took photos and videos of us. I didn't mind it was a social media age for sure but I wish I had a little more privacy sometimes. That's why I could really understand why Indi was hesitant at first coming to my game. One slip up and the media would make assumptions off the rip. But I still wanted her to come so we agreed to not do anything in public that would jeopardize either of our careers. I took Duce back over to my mom and talked to my fam. My family was glad Indi had come. My cousin and mom were ecstatic of course cause they have liked her ever since she started teaching Duce. And they knew how I felt about her so they were glad to see her here supporting me . I was kinda avoiding talking to Indi, I don't know why but she was making me nervous. But I still went over eventually down to where she was sitting.

"Hey Indi"

"Whats up Jay" she said standing up to meet me sorta on my level.

I didn't know what to do then, should I give her a hug? But she held out her hand for a fist bump, which kinda threw me off but made sense since we made that pact to keep things low key.

"Im good ready to get this game started its gonna be lit in here tonight" I said

"I know right! I was just thinking the same thing, it's like electric in here. This should be a good game. Good luck to y'all too."

"Thanks, I appreciate Indi, and I know I already told you but you look really nice today especially with my number on" I said looking her up and down making her blush.

"Thanks JT, you know I gotta represent my home team" she said, popping her shirt making me laugh. It was only a few minutes left and I wanted to say something else but it was people watching us as the crowd fully filled in the arena. Indi noticed it too.

"Well Jay you have a good game" she said fist bumping me again.

"Thanks imma find yall afterwards." I waved goodbye and walked over to my teammates. I really wanted to kiss her but I knew that would be the wrong thing to do at a time like this. I knew eventually though I would have my chance to kiss her in public like I wanted to. The buzzer sounded and it was time for the game to start.