Steph's Pov “Man, does Mitchell never get bored of listening to his own voice? He drones on and on, giving me a fucking migraine every time. Lucy complained, slouching in her seat. We had just taken Mitchell's solid three-hour lecture. With Mitchell's, three hours meant three hours, not a minute less or more. “Who's up for some crispy fried chicken?” Stella proposed, nudging my shoulder. I was busy completing and compiling my notes. “Yes, me. I'm starving; my stomach has been rumbling throughout the class.” I chimed in. “Oh my God, guys, Meghan and Jack broke up.” Sarah began with her daily dose of gossip. “What? No way!” “Yeah, I used to think they looked sweet together. What happened?” We all leaned in, eager to hear the juicy news. “Apparently, Jack got drunk and hooked up with someone at the club.” Sarah continued, her voice barely above a whisper as if she were sharing a big secret. “I always thought Meghan deserved better; good riddance.” I
Steph's Pov“The WLOB stars are about to participate in a new league. Brian Lockwood, the captain of team Omega has just announced their new three-on-three Unrivalled league that will start on January twenty-fifth in Texas……….” A loud clunk echoed in the kitchen when I dropped my butter knife. “What's wrong with you?” Sarah said, picking up the knife and putting it in the sink, annoyed that I had ruined a perfectly clean knife. “I don't blame her, I'd lose my shit too after laying my eyes on the Lockwood guy.” Stella said in my support, except it irritated me even more. I could not believe what that annoying man on television had just said. He was coming back. Brian Lockwood was coming back. I mean, it shouldn't have been that big of a shock. His parents lived here, he had to come back to his hometown eventually. I couldn't avoid him forever. “God, even his name is sexy, Lockwood, it just slips right off your tongue.” Sarah said in approval. “Y
Steph's POV We were sitting at the cafeteria during the hour-long break between the lectures. I was busy making flash cards of pharmacology while Stella was eating her fries and popping one into my mouth from time to time. Whereas Sarah and Lucy were audibly swooning over some guy. “His chest looks rock hard. Imagine laying your head on it.” Lucy said, showing it to Stella too. “He has strong, veiny arms too. Veiny arms really do something to me.” Sarah chimed. “Well hello, sweetie, missed me?” I heard a velvety voice whisper into my ears as a muscular arm slipped onto my shoulder, and Beck's charming face materialized in front of me. He gave me a mischievous grin, winking at me, and shook my head, gently removing his hand off my shoulder. “Hello girls! It's good to see you again.” He turned towards them cheerfully. Ever since the lunch, even Stella's heart had warmed towards him. “Yes, oh my god, I missed you. We weren't even able to thank
Steph’s POV: “Ugh, why is it so hot?” Stella complained, combing her fingers through her hair, then getting back to the plate of tacos, Beck had just ordered for her. “Tell me about it.” I said. It wasn't just the heat. They had woken me up early in the morning to get dressed for this darn match, and my nerves were on edge today. The thought of seeing him after three years brought a pang of anxiety. My mind used to not be in my control when it came to him. I didn't want him to have that power over me again. I just needed to stop overthinking. I turned over to look at Lucy and Sarah. They were busy giggling away at a joke Zach, Beck's friend, had cracked. Zach, Stephen and Jeremy were Beck’s closest friends and they had hit it off with Lucy and Sarah immediately. “There's a party at the Moose's club. What do you say? You wanna join me after this? Zach asked Lucy. “I'd love to.” Lucy replied excitedly. I smiled at her enthusiasm. With how busy and mon
Steph's POV: I rushed out through the sliding door, escaping the ensuing chaos that had taken over the basketball court. I could hear the constant clicking of cameras as the lights flashed behind the translucent sliding doors. “Mr Lockwood you seemed to be momentarily distracted, can you take us through what was going through your mind during that period?” I heard the shrill voice of a woman behind the closed door. I grabbed my hair in frustration pulling on them. Damn these reporters! They don't miss a thing do they? I snap my head back when I hear the screeching sound of the sliding door, only to find Beck rushing out of there after me. I have a sigh of relief. “Why are you here?” I look up at him in annoyance. “I came to look for you. Why did you suddenly rush out? You alright?” I could tell he was asking out of genuine concern so I tried to calm myself down a little. “Yea, no I'm okay, it just felt a little too stuffy in t
Steph's POV: “No, Zach's a really nice guy, I enjoyed myself with him.” I could hear Lucy's muffled voice in the living room. “Well obviously, he's the extravagant spoiled brat of a rich father. And a complete palyboy. I wonder how he's a basketball fan.” Sarah explained to Lucy the hundredth time why she shouldn't waste her time on Zach anymore. It had been three days and the name of that God forsaken match would still come up in one conversation or the other. I had tried very hard to not go to town on anyone. If the match and the Brian Lockwood talk began to get to my nerves, I would simply get up and leave the room. So far, everything seemed to be quite serene and I liked it that way. “Steph, we're going scrub shopping, wanna join us?” Stella popped into my room with some beetroot juice in her hand. Stella had suddenly come up with a “getting fit regiment” for herself, out of the blue. Saying she wanted to look better, apparently. But all I was seeing
Steph's Pov “So-” Beck opens his mouth to say a word but I cut him off. "Not now, Beck. I really can't right now." My voice comes out sharper than I intended, but he gets the message. His lips press into a thin line, and he nods, choosing silence over whatever he was about to say. My thoughts are relentless, clawing their way through my mind like a beast with no cage. I had gotten out of this situation once, but what if it happened again? What if it became a pattern? I just wanted peace. I wanted my life back, the one that didn’t include second-guessing my worth every time he decided I was convenient enough to chase. "It'll burst," Beck says, his voice interrupting my downward spiral. I blink at him, my brows furrowing. "What?" "Your brain," he clarifies with a smirk. "It'll burst with all this thinking. And you'll lose your fingers with all that twisting." I follow his gaze to my hands and realize he’s right. My fingers are tangled together, twisting and pulling, and
Brian's POV I tied my laces tight in one swift move, getting ready for the practice match coach had assembled all of us for. Our coach was known for his devilish bark that he used to intimidate the opposing team members, but when it came to his own team, specifically me, he hyped you up so much, you'd feel bad for not doing well. “Here comes my Captain! Here comes my man. Now I know sometimes things get in the way, we end up getting distracted somehow or the other, very natural, happens to most of us,” whenever he began his speech this way, it meant it was a warning and that if the same mistake was repeated you were in for it. He began to whisper into my ear, like we were brothers, who'd been sharing secrets all our lives, “It's not you, it's these boys I don't trust. Which is why we really can't afford a distraction episode like the one in a previous match. Right, right.” He said, patting my chest with the back of his hand. “I know I can count on you, my man!” I was confiden
Steph's Pov It was one of the other event of Rita and Simon and to be honest, I had lost count on how many parties they threw for their wedding..pre-wedding, post wedding etc etc I walked over to the buffet table, scanning the offerings. The waiter removed the cover from one dish, wafting the aroma of the succulent shrimp into the air. All of a sudden, my stomach did a flip and a wave of nausea washed over me. My face paled, and my mouth started watering in a bad way."Oh no," I muttered to myself, my hand over my mouth. "Not now."I didn't hesitate, turning and making a quick departure, my hand over my mouth as I hurried to seek out a secluded area in which to compose myself. The pharmacy was compact but well supplied, with rows upon rows of medicine, toiletries, and other necessities. I walked to the family planning area, my heart racing in my chest. I looked at the shelves, my eyes finding a familiar brand of pregnancy tests. I picked one up and quickly headed towards the check
I stood in front of the bathroom mirror, looking at the bright red mark along the nape of my neck. I pressed it tenderly, it didn't hurt as much, but it looked pretty serious. As much as I loved this mark on my neck, I knew I couldn't go out like this. Especially not in front of Simon. Moreover, today Simon and Rita had organized a pool party for everyone, which meant swimsuits, which meant if I went out wearing a hoodie everyone was bound to find out what was happening. I sighed heavily looking at myself in the mirror, then began to fish for a concealer in my makeup pouch. “Is something wrong?” Brian said, walking in, wrapping his arms around my waist and resting his chin along my shoulder. His deeper voice sounded sexier in the morning. I smiled at my half-asleep boyfriend, with his hair ruffled, as his spicy masculine smell hit me. “My very loving boyfriend has left his very own mark on my neck, and now I don't know how to cover it.” I complained to him. “I don't remember he
Steph's PovBrian and I walked into the suite Simon had booked for us and froze the second we entered the room. It had two twin beds. I really had to give it to Simon, he was consistently playing the role of a protective brother really well. I looked at Brian and rolled my eyes and he grinned.“Well, this clearly won't do," he said, locking the door and began to push the two beds close. I wanted to mock Simon saying, “See, ya got nothing on me,” but we were really too old for this so I decided against it. While Brian fixed the beds, I explored the suite. The bedroom was truly beautiful with a gold and white colour combination. Right next to the beds was a massive window down to the length of the floor, overlooking the clean, magnificent blue sea of Hawaii.The bathroom was tiled with wooden floors, with a massive bathtub covered with glass doors. When I saw the shampoo, soap and toothpaste on the shelves, the hoarder in me wanted to grab at it immediately, however I controlle
Steph's Pov I was curled up around Brian, with his arms around my body. This had been more intimate. Back then I was young and cautious, I didn't know what to do. Today, I was sure with Brian, I knew he loved me, and I wanted to prove it to him that I loved him more. I wanted to touch him; I wanted to be weird, and I was not ashamed of it because I knew he would not judge me for it. “I've had sex after a very long time. I'm glad it was with you. I wouldn't have it any other way.” I said to him as he played with our fingers. It was this that I had wanted. The care after the sex. The assurance that I was not only wanted for this. That nothing had changed; if anything, this had only brought us closer. We ordered pizza. When he went to pick it up, I wore his shirt and looked at myself in the mirror. It looked better on me than it did on him. It smelled just like him. Man, I could bathe in his scent. I was immersed in these thoughts when he came back in. Seeing me in his shirt, his f
Beck's POV: Each time I came into this room, there was a new challenge, a new obstacle waiting to be cleared. Today, however, was different. Today, I had the most vicious man I'd ever had the misfortune to meet - Richard Rivers staring right back at me. Thankfully, things were looking in our favour. Whatever amount of money Richard had paid Tony Martinez evidently wasn't enough, he was wasn't prepared, totally. He was seated in the front row, his face having a smug look, playing dumb, playing the bereaved husband. We all knew, however, his dirty little secret. I knew he was guilty of Lyla's murder, of the atrocities she had been subjected to at his hands. I sucked in a deep breath, bracing myself for what lay ahead. It was time to put a stop to Richard's game. It was time to play my strongest card. I addressed the judge, speaking firmly. "Your honor, I'd like to have Miss Stephanie Hudson take the stand." Stephanie got up, looking me straight in the eye, and walked toward
Stephs POV: The courtroom was filled with hushed conversations and the occasional sound of papers rustling. I took in the room, my eyes finding the familiar form of Brian, his shoulders set and his jaw clenched.But I was able to get to him before I could, as a frazzled-looking reporter blocked my path. He was a rumpled sight, wearing a tattered hoodie and jeans, his eyes puffy from lack of sleep. He looked like he'd been running around for days picking up leads.".......and welcome back to NBS News," he declared, his voice echoing through the courtroom. "I'm reporting live from the courthouse, where the much-awaited doping case against NBA star Brian Lockwood is about to be played out. The public has been waiting for answers, and today, they'll finally have their opportunity to witness justice being served."He took a moment, his eyes sparkling with a blend of enthusiasm and fatigue."Lockwood, the golden boy of basketball, stands accused of taking performance-enhancing drugs to get
Steph's POV: I sat on the couch, watching as Cirril paced back and forth across the hotel room. It had been a week since we'd received the devastating news of Lyla's death, and the days that followed had been a blur of lawyers, meetings, and media scrutiny. I still shuddered, when I thought of her death. She'd been driven to insanity, and the only escape she found was in death. Unfortunately, she took her child with her. Brian had been released from the hospital, but his health was still fragile. The dark circles under his eyes seemed to be deepening, his eyes sunken and hollow. He looked exhausted, both physically and mentally. Cirril was on a video call, arguing with yet another lawyer who was refusing to take on Brian's case. "You're asking for five times the normal price? That's ridiculous!" she exclaimed. I watched as Brian tried to calm her down, his voice soft and soothing. "It's okay, Cirril. We'll find someone else." But Cirril was having none of it. "No, we won't! They'
Brian's POV; I groggily reached for my phone, wincing as I sat up. Cirril's name flashed on the screen. "Cirril," I answered, trying to sound more alert than I felt. "Brian, where are you?" she demanded, her voice shrill with worry. "Do you realize the kind of mess you're in?" I rubbed my temples, trying to ward off the impending headache. "I'm at the hospital, Cirril." There was a pause on the other end of the line. "What? How are you at the hospital?" I sighed, not wanting to get into the details over the phone. "I'll explain everything when you get here. Can you please just come?" Cirril's voice was laced with frustration. "Obviously, I'm coming. Is that even a question?" I hung up the phone, feeling a sense of relief wash over me. Cirril would know how to handle this mess. As I waited for Cirril to arrive, I glanced over at Stephanie, who was sitting in the corner, watching me with concerned eyes. I smiled weakly at her, trying to reassure her. Cirril burst into the room
Steph's POV: I stayed at the hospital. I couldn't leave him. I didn't want to leave him. I am not going to leave you alone ever again Brian. The nurse in me kept checking his vital signs. The entire night I could not sleep. The nurse had given Brian a sleeping pill and a painkiller, to soothe his pain and allow him to rest. I kept walking around, tucked him in, but I could not put myself to sleep. There was this constant fear that something was about to happen. In moments when I did drift off to sleep, I would wake up, with a jerk with a sudden feeling that I was running away from something. At about three in the morning, I saw Brian's eyes flicker open. I immediately went up to him. “What is it? Does it hurt somewhere? Do you need something?” I asked him in fear. He slowly put his hand up and beckoned at me, then patted on his mattress beside him. He was asking me to lie down beside him on the bed. Tears began to stream down my face again, looking at Brian's condition. This