“Why were you watching it to start with? Kelly was hot. No judgment.”

“It sounds like fucking judgment.”

He chuckles, grabs a lighter from his bag and heads back to the door. “I will be back in thirty minutes. That enough time?”

Instead of answering, I flip him off, walk in the bathroom, and slam the door behind me.

Z nods his head in approval and claps his hands as he takes his place at the block and I walk toward the free-throw line. “Nice work. Let’s get that extra point.”

I take my shot and Arizona State calls a time out. We’re destroying them. Up twenty points at the half, in large part to me. Everything I throw up tonight finds net. Some nights are like that. Most aren’t.

I make the shot and the other team calls a timeout. Nathan and I bump fists as we take a seat on the sidelines.

“It’s alright cause I’m saved by the… it’s alright cause I’m saved by the bell,” he sings quietly with a fucking grin.

“Fuck off,” I say, but I’m smiling.

After Coach gives us a weak pep talk about running through the plays and tightening defense – there’s only so much inspiration you can muster when you’re blowing the other team out of the water – I head back out to the court seeing the cameras and announcers and wondering if Katrina is watching. She said she was, but I don’t know if that was just her feeding my ego.

The idea of her watching may have something to do with my stellar performance. I’m in a zone like I’ve never felt before. I’m always confident and ready to play, but a different sort of calm has settled over me tonight and the only difference I can pinpoint is her which doesn’t really make any sense, but I take my good luck charms very seriously.

Looks like my before game ritual has changed. From now on I need a little dose of Katrina before each game.

Katrina

“You’re my good luck charm,” Joel says and points a cocky smile at the screen.

He’s wearing headphones and leaning against the bus window. It’s still light out, but just barely, and the soft glow of his phone casts a shadow around him making it hard to see anything else.

“I doubt that very much, but I’m willing to take credit. Is there some sort of payment for my services?” I toss the snark at him before I’ve thought through my words and I can tell by the huge grin that breaks out on his face that I’ve played right into his hand.

“Actually, there is. A date with me. A real one – no phone required. I mean don’t get me wrong I’m loving using my phone for something besides texting and memes, but I think it’s hindering my charm. I’m best appreciated in person.”