Shattered Heart by Carol May

              I am being helped up by a laughing Houston, when I hear “Damn man! You having to track’em down? Heard what you did, when you were suppose to be watching my fine skills on the floor.” Houston leaned into this man that some call a basketball god and made a comment that caused them to laugh and slap each other on the back.
    Houston, held his arm out to me, pulling me into his side and introduced me.  The ball player looked down at me saying, “Here’s the thing. If you get tired of this piece of work (nodding toward Houston) you just look me up. I stood there saying nothing just nodding.              
    My phone rang, I looked at it. Oh darn, it’s Rose. I didn’t text her back. Turing around, I look up to where we were sitting. She’s standing there, waiting for me to pick up. Sheepishly, I say “Hello.”
    “You have got to tell me who he is. Have you known him long? Why haven’t I heard about him?” Turning away from Houston, I talk into the phone. “Houston is his name. I haven’t known him long. The man I introduced you to earlier is his driver.”
    “You mean they come in sets? Oh sweet me, Charli. You have been holding out. Listen don’t worry about the after party because looks like you’re going to have your own. I text a couple of people that I usually go with to see if they are here. They are, so I am all good. Now, listen to me, Go take care of that fine piece standing beside you.”
    “I don’t know what I am doing, Rose. Obviously, this wasn’t in my plan. I’m sorry.” Pretending to fan my face, “He is fine isn’t he?”
    “You have to ask? Don’t be sorry. If I had that standing beside me, girl I’d be dragging him out of here.”
    I smiled, and waved. “Talk to you later.”
    Turning around, Houston was talking to a gentleman that I recognized as the owner of the team. They were engaged in what looked to be a serious conversation. I seized the opportunity, took a selfie and sent it to my brothers. Feeling pretty smug, I waited for responses. Neither came, but after I looked at the time I understood why. It was late by most people’s standards. Deciding they were probably asleep, I put my phone into my bag. Houston wrapped up his conversation and away we went out some private exit.
    “Where’s Nash?” I ask as we were exiting the arena.
    “He left just before the overtime began. Gone home, I suppose. Why? Do you need something?”
    “I was just wondering. He’s always with you besides I don’t think he has the thing I need.  Well I suppose he has one but it isn’t the one I need.”
    Leaning down sideways, he said, “He better not have the thing you need. I don’t share. Believe it or not, I have a driver’s license. I don’t need Nash for everything.”
    “Oh really? Couldn’t prove it by me.”
    Putting his arm around my shoulder, he pulled me into him. With what most would call, a bedroom voice he said, “Baby, I’ll be more than happy to demonstrate my skills.”
    Stopping and taking a step away from me, his eyes slowly traveled down my body with a passion that left me feeling scorched from his gaze. Smiling semi-wickedly, he moved his hand down to a very low spot on my back as we walked. He must have unlocked the car using his free hand. A sexy sleek sports car directly in front of us beeped. Opening the door for me, he lightly caressed the spot where his hand touched my skin. This seemingly small gesture, became one of the sexiest actions I’ve experienced.
    As we roared away from the arena, I realized this felt right. Me being with Houston. I didn’t need to ask where we were headed. It really didn’t matter. I hadn’t felt this way in a very long time, if ever really. I decided to just sit back and enjoy the ride. He pushed some buttons, and the crooning voice of Old Blue Eyes himself began. That’s when I knew this was going to be some kind of night. Suddenly, I ached for the firmness of him. I reached out,