The corridor in front of you

You headed straight ahead. You paused as you pass the doors on your right. Hearing something, you opened one of the doors to the gym. Knowing that the coach was sensitive about tracks on floor, you wiped your shoes well before stepping out on the hardwood. Linda did the same.

You looked around. The stands that hold about 12,000 were dark. Not surprising since the only time they were lit was when there was a home game or more often when the coach was having someone run the bleachers. To one side were a couple long benches. They were seating for the teams during the game. Now, they were empty of course. Between them was the scorer’s table. The controls for the scoreboard were locked away. In the spot where they would have sat were a couple backpacks.

“Hey Patty! Linda!” A voice called out from the far end of the court. You cringed. You hated being called ‘Patty’. You looked up to see a couple guys were looking to where you were standing. Their bare chests glistened with sweat from their exertions. You smiled as they approached. They both stood about 6’2” and weighed between 175 and 185 pounds. Their hairless chests were well defined without having bulging pectorals. They had washboard abs, but only if you looked hard for the defining lines. The most well defined aspect of their physiques were their powerful legs.

“Joe! How’s it going?” Linda called out. She reached out and shook the hand of the blue-eyed blonde. You knew Joe as Joseph Nelson, the student manager of the college’s basketball team. Aside from always calling you ‘Patty’, he wasn’t a bad guy. In fact, he had already snuck the two of you into a couple basketball games. However, it was more to help convince Linda to take the job as student manager than to get into either of your pants…not that he wouldn’t have done that had the opportunity presented itself.

“Jim,” he said, as he turned to the guy he was with, “This is Linda, the girl I’m trying to get to take over for me. And this is her friend Patty.” You scowled at Joe.

“Pat,” you told Jim as you shook his hand. You admired the gentle strength of his grip as Joe explained that Jim took a job as custodian in order to be able to practice after hours. He hoped to make the squad next year, but understood that he was too short to play professionally. He may not have been the best looking guy you’ve seen, but he certainly wasn’t hard on the eyes.

“Want to shoot some hoops with us?” Jim asked, twirling the ball on a finger. There was a wolfish grin on his face.

“I…don’t…know…” you started hesitantly. Although you played basketball in high school, it’s not like you were that good at it. You didn’t even make the starting line-up.

“It’s not like we’re in the same league as you.” Linda added. You noted a sense of confidence in Linda’s voice. While she didn’t even try out for the women’s team here, she had been the starting power forward for your high school team.

“I’m sure we can come up with a suitable handicap.” Joe answered. You started to get nervous.

“And the stakes…” Linda prompted. You were really getting nervous. You wouldn’t have minded a friendly game of hoops, but you didn’t have much. You couldn’t afford a bet you were likely to lose.

“I assumed they would be obvious…” Jim smiled. His eyes roved over your most obvious assets.

“Agreed.” Linda said before you could refuse. You frowned, but said nothing.

“Shall we get this started?” Jim asked as he tossed her the ball.