Post game heat
730 Words
Chapter Six grok version
By the time Ava’s shift ended, her feet throbbed and her clothes carried the permanent scent of espresso and vanilla syrup.
Still, she floated across the parking lot with a ridiculous smile tugging at her lips.
Deeply embarrassing.
The drive home felt softer than usual. City lights blurred past her windows like warm watercolor streaks while quiet music hummed through the speakers. Every few minutes, her mind replayed fragments from the café.
The low rumble of Kia’s rare laugh.
The way he’d called her sweetheart like it belonged to him.
The intensity in his dark eyes when he looked at her — like he was memorizing every detail.
It was dangerously easy to get lost in those memories.
Her phone buzzed at a red light.
Lina: Staying at Marcus’s tonight btw ❤️
Ava grinned. “Oh, thank God.”
An empty apartment tonight felt like winning the lottery.
The second she stepped inside, she twisted her hair into a messy bun and made a beeline for the fridge. Leftover Mexican food — her true soulmate.
“Don’t play with me tonight,” she whispered dramatically, pulling the container free.
Ten minutes later, she sat cross-legged on the couch, devouring reheated tacos while reality TV murmured in the background. Pure peace. No chaotic customers. No intense, brooding basketball player watching her like she was the only thing worth looking at.
Honestly refreshing.
After dinner, she showered slowly, letting the hot water melt the day’s tension from her shoulders. Then came her sacred skincare routine — serums, moisturizer, eye cream, lip mask. At least six products lined up like tiny soldiers. Her older sister called it financially irresponsible. Ava called it self-care.
By the time she finished, her skin glowed softly under the bathroom light. She slipped into an oversized sleep shirt and climbed into bed, pulling the blanket high.
Finally. Real rest.
She reached for the lamp when her phone buzzed.
Unknown Number: Hey baby girl.
Ava stared at the screen. Her heart did something genuinely stupid.
Ava: Who is this?
The typing bubble appeared instantly.
Kia: It’s Kia. Sorry for texting so late.
Ava bit down hard on her smile. Ridiculous. Absolutely ridiculous.
But the warmth blooming in her chest refused to listen.
Ava: Oh, Kia.
Thank you again for the tickets. You made my entire family’s year already 😭
His reply came fast.
Kia: I’d like you to come too.
If you’re free.
Ava’s stomach tightened with unexpected pleasure.
Kia: I’d love for you to watch me play.
Not the team.
Me.
Heat crept into her cheeks.
Ava: When’s the game?
Kia: Saturday night.
Ava: I should be free.
Kia: Good.
That single word somehow made her blush harder. From there, the conversation flowed effortlessly, like they’d skipped past the awkward stage entirely.
Kia asked questions no one usually bothered with — about her family, the café, what she wanted long-term. Ava found herself smiling at nearly every reply. Surprisingly, he opened up too. Not completely. There were still guarded edges to him. But little pieces slipped through anyway.
He hated interviews.
Loved late-night drives with music blasting.
Preferred rainy days.
Listened to old-school R&B because his mom used to play it around the house.
Ava stayed curled beneath her blanket, grinning at her phone like a teenager.
Kia: So your dad really stopped eating because we lost?
Ava: He acted like somebody died.
Kia: I respect him more every minute.
Ava: Don’t encourage him please. He already owns three jerseys with your name on them.
Kia: Three?
Ava: One of them is framed.
A pause stretched before his next message.
Kia: That’s terrifying.
Ava buried her laugh into her pillow, shoulders shaking.
For the first time in forever, talking to someone felt easy. No pressure. No performance. Just… nice.
Eventually she glanced at the time and groaned.
1:07 a.m.
Ava: I have work in the morning, basketball boy.
Kia: Basketball boy?
She smiled, biting her lip.
Ava: Yes. And I need sleep before I start hallucinating espresso machines again.
His reply came slower this time, softer.
Kia: Goodnight, Ava.
Seeing her name on his screen sent a quiet wave of warmth through her chest.
Ava: Goodnight, Kia.
She pressed the phone to her heart, staring up at the dark ceiling, still smiling.
And somewhere across the city, Kia Kingston was probably smiling too.
- Writer
