Are you going to tell Ayanna?" Abel asked as we finished up our first practice back.

To say that it was rough would be an understatement. The team was still in their holiday funk, but hopefully after this workout that Mckay and I put them through, they should be whipped into shape by the next game.

"I haven't told her yet. We've been in such a good place and I don't want to ruin that by bringing the fact that my ex messaged me into the mix."

Haze, of all people, looked at me as if I had grown two heads.

"Hmm no, you go and tell that sadist about that she-devil messaging you right now. There shall be no animosity or couples buffoonery at my birthday party. This is Haze's day, and whatever Haze says, goes."

That's right— Haze day.

Since Haze's rookie year, he and Xander had been our little road dogs. When his birthday rolled around he had deemed it Haze Day.

For birthday's the basketball house spares no limits. And since Rookie had been on his A game this season, we had gone all out.

Ayanna took the liberty of inviting a special someone to his birthday party tonight. The girls were so excited to invite Audrey out tonight and get to know her more.

But the guys and I weren't fooled— this was the first step to sucking Audrey into their girl power squad.

From what I remember being told, Audrey just recently transferred to USC, she lives in the girls building, and she mostly keeps to herself.

Obviously Haze and Audrey were two different people but I'm looking forward to seeing how their personalities balance each other out.

"Okay, I'll tell her as soon as they get to the house to set up." I promised him.

She might be a little bit upset due to the fact that I waited a whole week to tell her, but at least she's going to find out...

Right.

"Good." Haze took a running start to jump on Xander's back. "Let's get ready to party muthafuckers!" The team erupted in hoots and hollers as Xander led them off towards the locker room.

We watched, amused grins on our faces as Xander hopped a little which resulted in Haze bumping his head against the exit sign.

"Ow you stupid fuck!"Haze slapped Xander upside the head."You're carrying precious cargo on your back. The king shall not be harmed by incompetent peasants before his soirée."

Xander being Xander purposefully stumbled causing Haze's body to knock up against the wall in front of them.

"Oops."

"Got to love Haze Day," Marcus snickered as we followed after the crowd.

"They just grow up so fast." Kyler used the rim of his shirt as he sniffled."It seems like yesterday we were teaching him how to tie his shoes correctly."

Dominic patted Kyler's shoulder,"That was yesterday."

"Y'all are a mess," Abel cackled as we headed down the hallway to our awaiting Ice baths." It was actually last month."

Our laughter died down as we passed Xion's office, his bitter gaze following us as we passed by his open doorway.

He knew.

Hell the whole world knew that Ayanna's mom was engaged to Dominic's dad. The media had pictures from the event out in all outlets the very next morning.

Jax and Raven had been hiding out ever since they got back. Raven didn't like the attention whatsoever, and she had every right.

To go from living an average life to all of a sudden thrust into the spotlight like that was a drastic change in your lifestyle. Not only that, but when people feel the need to speak on and add their two cents to a relationship that doesn't involve them.

Luckily there were more positive then negative attention.

Along with that came the outting of me and Ayanna's relationship. Only small-time wannabe blogs knew of it, but overnight it became this public spectacle.

It got so bad to the point where Ayanna had to log out of all her socials just to get a moment's peace.

"Cue the bitter deadbeat father," Abel muttered as Xion stood up out of his seat.

"He better not say shit to me about it either." Dominic pushed past us, charging ahead to get into the locker room.

He wasn't having any of it.

After that one physical altercation, Xion had kept it professional and left his one sided personal issues off the court.

Dominic in return ignored his existence as a whole.

"And don't forget," We walked into the locker room to see Haze standing on a bench, his shirt over his shoulder as he spoke.

"Leave the drama for your mama on Haze Day. Any altercations and your ass will be kicked out. Good vibes only family. Relay the message to your girlfriends, your baby mamas," he sent a subtle side eye to Lucas.

"And your side chicks. Let Haze Day commence!"

With that he hopped off of the bench and sauntered into the showers.

"Gotta love Haze man," Rocky laughed as we followed behind him.

Haze was one of those people that you just couldn't hate. He was a fucking golden retriever for God's sake. His whole personality was a burst of positive energy.

We rarely got to see him angry and we rarely witnessed him sad. The day Haze gets heated is the day hell will freeze over.

_______________

By the time we got back to the house, things were in full effect for set up. The girls had the guys separated in groups hanging up banners, setting up confetti poppers, they even left them in charge of drink organizing.

"Where do you want this boss lady?" Dominic asked Rhegan as he lugged a keg over his shoulder. Rhegan looked up from her clipboard as she and Sade went over items to add to the shopping list.

"Mm," Rhegan hummed, the pen tapping against her bottom lip as she observed the layout of our house. Dominic adjusted the keg on his shoulder, shifting the weight as she came to a conclusion.

"Outside," she came to a conclusion. "But not by the fire pit. We don't need some drunk idiots trying to do a keg stand and fall into a fiery demise."

Dominic leaned in and kissed her cheek. Rhegan quickly turned her head, her cheeks just as red as the shade of lipstick she wore.

"Is she blushing?" He mouthed to me as I subtly nodded my head.

"Big time." I mouthed back as he did a celebratory fist pump into the air.

Just as Dominic walked out of the sliding glass doors, Ayanna walked inside with a huff as she slammed her clipboard down.

"Everything is set up outback, the food is covered and secured." She and Rhegan went over a few other things about the party before Rhegan and Sade went to relay the information to the others.

Ayanna held her freshly done butterfly locs up with one hand as she fanned herself with the other.

"Hey you," I walked over to her.Now would be the perfect time to discuss the text message that I had received.

It's not that I wanted to hide it from her, it was just that I didn't know how to bring it to her. The last thing I wanted was to put a damper on how happy she had been recently.

But Haze was right, she needed to find out.

"Hey wonder bread," she winked before pressing her water bottle to her lips.

I placed my arms on either side of her waist, caging her between the countertop and my body.

"I have something to tell you."

Ayanna's eyes furrowed at the tone of my voice. She slowly brought the water bottle away from her lips and closed the cap to it.

"Go on," she insisted with a flick of her wrist.

Taking a deep breath, I pulled my phone out of my pocket and pulled up the screenshots I had taken. "My ex texted me a couple of days back."

Her brows pinched together as she read the conversation between me and her. A small scoff leaving her lips as her thumb hovers over a specific message.

"That's cute," her tone was dripping with poison as she locked my phone, handing it back to me.

"Well I would've liked to have known as soon as it happened," she gave me a hard look to match her hard tone."But by the looks of things, you had everything handled."

I lean in to wrap my arms around her waist, only to get stopped by her palm pressing against my chest."The next time she decides to text you, can you please tell me then and not a whole week later?"

I nod my head in agreement. "I promise. Me withholding information was just a minor lapse in judgement. It won't happen again."

I closed my eyes as she wrapped her arms around my waist, squeezing slightly." You better. I don't want any more surprises regarding her."

"Trust me," I squeezed her in return. The sweet scent of rum and vanilla wafting up my nostrils as I inhaled her scent."I don't either."

"Okay," she pulled away from our embrace as her timer went off. " I have to talk to the food truck vendors before we head back to mine. I'll see you in a little bit."

Before she went off to her task, I gripped her arm causing her to spin into my side. I pressed a gentle kiss to her lips, to which she returned back to me.

"I love you, drive safe," I whispered, my lips brushing against hers.

"I love you too," she smiled before running out of the kitchen. I watched as her figure disappeared around the corner before heading upstairs to get ready.

When I entered my room the guys were huddling around my bed, they looked tired and worn out from the girls dragging us around all day. At least they were generous enough to give us a three hour resting period after our practice.

"Are they gone?" Marcus peeled out from behind Abel's body.

"Yep, they're on their way to get dressed right now." I reported, looking down at the time I realized that we had almost two hours to get ready. Xander and Rocky were tasked with distracting Haze while we got everything ready for him, he would be getting ready in one the apartments.

"Oh thank God," Kyler exasperates as he jumps up." If I got told to move one more damn confetti popper, I was going to pop a blood vessel."

The guys left my room, leaving me to get showered and ready for the party. Ayanna had picked out my outfit and hung it up neatly in my closet before she had left.

Even though I showered after a practice, the girls had us working up a sweat, resulting in me taking my third shower of the day. My thumb brushed over the tattoo Ayanna chose for me on our first date, a small smile spread on my lips at the sentiment behind it.

And now that things were starting to settle down, I had finally had time to plan out a date for us as a real couple.

A candlelit dinner, rose petals, a chef, I had it all planned out for next weekend. My apartment out here would be transformed into our own little romantic evening for the weekend.

The apartment rarely got used so I thought that was the perfect opportunity for us to spend some alone time.

By the time I had gotten out of the shower, that bathroom was fogged and steamy, the mirrors were barely visible as I headed towards the door. The scent of my soap flowed into my room as the fog followed and I welcomed the cool burst of air against my skin.

Checking the time for the thousandth time today, I did the mental math and figured out that the girls should be arriving soon. They had their hair done when they were here, the majority of them bossing us around with rollers and hair clips in their hair.

The only thing they had to do was shower and get their make-up done. Audrey would be arriving with them as well seeing as they lived in the same building. She was still pretty new to campus so it made sense in the long run.

By the time I had slipped into my sneakers and walked downstairs, the majority of the team was starting to arrive along with a couple of other invited guests.

I walked over to the guys who had been standing around a couple of shots. Marcus handed me one as I approached the circle.

"To Haze day." I raised my glass.

"To Haze day!" They cheered before we threw them all back.

Let's get this party started.

I'll get it!" I yelled, pulling the bottom of my dress down as I ran down the stairs.I raced towards the door, phone, heels, and clutch in hand.

Opening the door I froze as I took in the red headed bombshell standing in front of me.

I blinked repeatedly as my eyes dragged up her long legs, the way her dress hugged her figure nicely, and her breast that set perfectly.

Audrey waved her hand shyly as my eyes met hers,"hey."

"Ayanna let the gir—" Elizabeth tapped my shoulder, her ring clad fingers gripping my shoulders as we took in Audrey.

"Well hot damn!"

Hot damn indeed.

"Is it too much? I'm trying to get out of my comfort zone and get out there, but maybe I overdid it. Yea—" I caught off her rant by grabbing her arm and snatching her inside.

"Nope. You will not be psyching yourself out ma'am." Elizabeth tutted as I pulled her towards the living room and towards the mirror room.

It used to be an empty hallway closet until Sade came up with the brilliant idea to put a fun chandelier in there and fill it with mirrors on each wall.

"Do you see this?" I motion to her, we watch out reflections in the mirror as we give her a pep talk.

"This is a fucking goddess rising up from the ashes and welcoming her inner femme fatale," Elizabeth hyped her up.

"Audrey Sinclair, you are a bad bitch." I drapped her perfectly straight hair behind her back, "Embrace it."

Audrey released a deep breath as she let out words sink in. Elizabeth and I shared a hopeful look, hoping that Audrey realized just how beautiful she looked tonight.

"I'm a bad bitch!" She said a little unsure of herself.

"That didn't sound very confident," Sade mused as she entered the mirror room dressed in all her glory.

"Say it again Audrey, like you mean it this time," Sade beckoned as everyone else joined us in the room.

"I am a bad bitch," Audrey repeated. It was a tad bit better, but it needed just a smidge more confidence.

"Again. A little louder this time."

"I am a bad bitch!"

And just like that, a phoenix had risen from the ashes.

"I think she's ready, girls," Jora nodded her head in approval.

Yes she was.

"Now let's go get shitfaced bitches!" Sky yelled as we exited the mirror room. We grabbed our coats off of the chair, dimmed the lights, and made our way to the awaiting SUV.

"Get ready Audrey, tonight's going to be wild."

_______________

The party was in full effect by the time we had arrived.The birthday boy wasn't present yet which gave us enough time to get into our positions.

"You look absolutely beautiful,"Carson's voice drawled from behind me, drink in hand as he observed me from the doorway."That's going to be fun to take off later on."

I turned around, my head tilted to the side as I raked my eyes up and down his body, enjoying everything that I was seeing.

He looked absolutely delicious as always.

"Maybe I'll be the one undressing you." I retorted as he pushed off the wall and walked towards me.

"Hmm, as tempting as that sounds," he muses, placing his drink on the countertop behind me."I think you'd enjoy the plans I've had in store for you much better."

My lips tilted upwards as I tried to envision what it could possibly be. His body brushed against mine, his fingertips teasing my thighs as they hovered slightly above them.

"And I've had plenty of time to think about this Ayanna." I gripped the edge of the counter as my thighs clenched together, hopefully keeping the pulse going on in my core under control.

"Oh really," I breathed, my breath light and airy.

"Yes really, and in ways you could never imagine."

There was no use.

My underwear— destroyed.

My sense of self control— down the drain.

My feminism— out the window.

"So what I'm hearing is," I whisper as I take his glass of whiskey and bring it to my lips. His hypnotizing grey eyes zoned in on the action as he cleared his throat.

"You've been holding back on me," I tilted my head."Haven't you?"

Carson leaned in, his intoxicating scent filling my nostrils as he took in a slow, deep breathe. "You've only been getting a taste of how I can make you cum, only a taste Ayanna."

If only we weren't at one of our best friends' birthday parties. If only he would just take me against that fucking island and show me what i'm missing.

"Wet aren't you?" He dipped his in the crook of my neck.

"Drenched," I gasped, feeling his lips curl up against my skin.

Within seconds his body was off of me, a cocky grin on his face as he took the glass out of my hands, placing his lips where my lipstick stain was.

I felt a sense of deja vú wash over me as I watched the bob of his throat, his tattoos popping out due to his attire.

"Birthday boy arrives in a few," he simply says before turning around."We should really get going angel."

"Fucking tease," I whispered as I collected myself.

Tossing my locs over my shoulder, I pushed myself off of the countertop and waltzed out of the kitchen.

"If you want a tease, Carson, then i'll give you a fucking tease."

Walking up to the girls, I grabbed a confetti popper from Sky's hand and took my spot behind her. Kyler stood by the door awaiting the signal from Mark.

Mark gave Kyler the thumbs up to turn off the lights. We heard the sounds of keys jangling and Haze's loud chant about it being "Haze Day!"

The door was soon opened, the cold draft of the L.A winter coming in with it. As soon as Haze's body was in view, Kyler turned the lights on and we popped off the confetti poppers.

"Happy birthday Haze!" We shouted as maroon and gold confetti reigned down in the foyer of the house.

Haze grinned from ear to ear as he took in the crowd of friends around him, he was loved that was for sure.

Carson handed Haze a bottle of Dom, which he happily shook and popped. Champagne erupted from the bottle and all over as he brought it to his mouth, drowning himself in champagne.

"It's Haze Day muthafuckers!" He shouted at the top of his lungs as 50 cents In da club played throughout the surround sound system.

"Let's turn this bitch up!"

The party goers cheered in return as the spilled out of the foyer and dispersed to separate parts of the house.

Once the crowd cleared, Haze stopped in his tracks as he took in the red head standing behind Rhegan.

Elizabeth stepped aside, tugging on Audrey's hand and pulled her forward in the process.