Fred Maxwell and Camella? He hadn't seen them there before. But anyways, since the basketball court isn't his father's property, anyone can come around to play. He placed his sport bag down and went towards them.
“Wow…see who we have here” Fred Maxwell chimed, going over to Andre and hugging him. He glanced at him, he looked taller and seemed well built than him. Of course, he would be. He hadn't been a sportsman all his life but for Camella he'd assumed being a basketball player.
“Buddy” Andre squeaked and hugged him affectionately. He doesn't know why this feisty lady has to come along with Fred Maxwell to play a basketball game. She's dressed in Jersey and loose long pants.
“Hi, Andre,” Camella said, walking over to shake hands with him. She really looked like a sports lady with her hair made into a high ponytail. Her grey eyes screwed him from head to toes.
His exposed arms and muscled biceps gives her the opportunity to see his smooth beautiful skin. His loose fitting shorts as well allows her to see his hairy strong legs. She saw Andre and saw what it means for a man to be physically fit and handsome.
“Hi” he said, shook her hands and walked past her. It's obvious that he doesn't want to have anything to do with her. Fred sighed softly, this is going to be a difficult task, winning Andre back.
“Care to join us?” Fred offered and Andre shook his head. Playing together in the same court with this woman, no, he doesn't want it. He'll wait and watch or better still, choose the other side of the court and play alone.
“Afraid of losing to me?” Camella tucked, glancing at him. Oh how she wished he could come over and join them. If he walks away, her aims will not be achieved. She wants him to play along and gradually let down his guard against her.
Andre just glanced at her casually and looked away. His gaze was filled with contempt. But his silence was more annoying. Camella wants to glare up and asks him if he was stupid but Fred calms her by tapping her arm.
Andre gnashed his teeth. Why did he have to encounter her there again? He'd paid for his session otherwise he would just walk away and not return there again. Every woman he sees, besides his mom, he can only see Jasmin's face in them.
The face of betrayers.
Fred walked over to him and said “let's play together Andre” he tucked him but Andre couldn't be moved from the spot “I won't play as long as that woman is there” and turned around, picked his bag and was going to leave.
“Fine, I'll sit back and watch you men play” Camella offered and Andre dropped his bag and stepped into the court. She sat on the bench and watched them play. Andre was dribbling Fred as easily as it took to chew nuts.
Soon other players joined, and they became more in numbers. That sweetens Andre, he was smart, taller and an expert, he could dribble past teammates using his finger to navigate through their legs and then shoot.
More spectators came and they were watching. Camella was happy that other people came and sat on the bench. She'd forgotten that she came there because of Andre, she was excited watching him play in the court.
He was sweating just like everyone else. The players were soon divided into two parts, Fred and Andre fell into one group and they played. He scored several baskets and it is nothing for him to rebound again.
Seeing he was the champion, the team chosen referee decided to assign a man-to-man defense for Andre but he kept playing so well that he'd gained admirers seated at the bench.
Soon, it was half time and they went to sit down. “I didn't expect that you're a wizard on the basketball court. How long have you been playing basketball?” Fred asked.
Andre laughed and said “for a while but I became so serious in the past three months” he stated, opening his bag to get his water bottle when Camella said “Here, I got it for you already” offering it to him.
She smiled but Andre sized her from head to toes with a frowned look before taking it from her. He hesitated before unsealing it and drinking from it. Fred and Camella exchanged glances.
If she had given him her own water, he wouldn't take it. He was treating her as if she was invisible. And to get his attention, she got his water and held it. And it worked even if his gaze was infuriating.
“How about me, why do you have to personally hand the water to Andre and not me?” Fred mumbled. How he wished this friendliness should continue.
“A hero deserves a special treat, Fred,” Camella replied, sitting between the two men. Andre didn't say anything, just used his white towel hung around his neck to wipe his sweaty face.
“One day, I'll be like Andre. I will practice more and learn the skills better” Fred mumbled. He glanced at Andre and he seemed not to care about their discussion. Just what kind of a guy is he?
A few ladies were staring at him but he didn't care about them. A few called out his jersey number and waved at him. He simply waved and drank from his water again. This isn't the first time ladies love watching him whenever he is on the basketball court.
“You've got admirers Andre” Fred tucked and Andre chuckled “I'm long used to it” he flippantly replied and glanced at his phone timer. It would soon be time and he was feeling pressed.
His words made Camella turn and glanced at him. Any woman would admire him. He had great qualities embedded in him.
Two days later, they were there again and he was getting used to being around Fred. They were talking as friends and that day Felix came around. He doesn't play basketball but he came to cheer his friend on.
“How's your new job?” Fred asked. He hadn't been able to get a clue of the company that hired him and he doesn't seem like someone who goes anywhere other than the gym these days.
“Mom has refused to follow me to England and I feel stuck" Andre replied. If it weren't for his mom now, he would have left or about to leave N.Y.
“England, your job is in England?” Camella asked, stumbling upon his words.