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giving thought to what that would mean for him when the time came. He’d never been alone before. There had been his parents, his roommate at college and then Joey.
    Derrick had purposely kept women at a distance, not wanting Joey to get attached to someone he was casually dating, only to have her ripped away when the relationship ended. Joey had lost enough. Hell, he’d lost enough. Beside, he’d never met anyone he wanted as a permanent fixture in their lives.
    But there were other factors at play causing the discontent. He’d been without a woman’s touch a bit longer than usual. The fact he couldn't get the image of one particular woman - girl - out of his head only added to the frustration.
    It all circled back to the loneliness factor. And the very reason a late night game of hoops was necessary.
    His heart tripped off an explosion inside his chest when he recognized Erica as the lone figure on the basketball court. He felt a sense of dread, yet pleasure battled for a place in line. She looked different, sexier than hell in a skimpy pair of gym shorts that made her legs seem as if they would never end. He started to appreciate the way her round, full breasts juggled inside the snug fitting t-shirt when he reminded himself she was seventeen.
    He should turn around and go home before she saw him, but he didn’t. He stopped at the edge of the court. Erica either sensed his presence or caught sight of him from her peripheral because she stopped in the process of taking a shot. She turned her head and pierced him with that bold, intense stare she had. A slow smile eased up her full lips as if she knew his dirty little secret. Heat rose up his cheeks and he was thankful for the dim lighting.
    She finally freed him from her penetrating gaze, bounced the ball twice, aimed and shot with all the confidence in the world. Her arms lifted above her head, her shirt shifted with the move, flashing a bit of skin. The ball never skimmed the rim as it swooshed through the net. Erica followed at a jog and bent over to retrieve the ball.
    Jesus, Mary and Joseph . Derrick swallowed hard. What the hell was wrong with him? Seventeen. A child.
    Swinging around to face him with the ball in her hands, she sent him a playful smile. “Wanta play a couple games of horse?” She cocked her head to one side. “I promise not to embarrass you too bad.”
    He laughed, gave it a moments thought and then, “Okay.” He set his basketball aside.
    Erica tossed him hers. “I’ll let you warm up first.”
    He caught the whiff of warm vanilla as she walked past him to the bench where a small duffle bag sat. She fished out a bottle of water, unscrewed the cap and took a long drink. Her head tilted back exposing the gentle curve of her throat.
    Derrick pulled his eyes away with a shake of his head. His inability to control his reaction to her was beginning to piss him off. He took a few shots but couldn’t seem to find his rhythm. Not with her watching him. After a few more missed baskets, he passed the ball to back to Erica.
    “You can start. I have a feeling you’re going to kick my butt.”
    She chuckled. “Not too bad. I promised.” She sank a shot from the foul line.
    True to her word, she only beat him with two letters remaining, two games straight. He couldn’t help but feel frustrated and embarrassed, but tried to laugh it off.
    “Best three out of four.” He bounced the ball to her.
    She rested it on her hip in the crook of her arm. “How about a little one on one?” She challenged.
    “Come on, Erica. I’m a lot taller than you.”
    “So. I’m a better shot and I'm faster.”
    Disbelief spilled out on a laugh. “Whatever. Fine, let’s go.”
    He crouched in the defensive position as Erica moved toward the basket, turning her back to protect the ball. She made a quick move to go around him and up. He swatted the ball away, but with her speed, she retrieved it and darted back toward him.
    They went at each other good and hard for