The Beavers are playing against Kennedy’s old team. She’s been emotional over it. She feels they slighted her by releasing her, but she’s also happy it happened.
She’s been playing incredibly well. Her rebounding and defensive skills are the reason they’re up three to two in the series, leaving them only one win away from taking the championship. The girls all want it so badly.
I’m filled with nerves. I want them to win it all tonight, because if they lose, they’ll have a decisive game seven on Sunday at home when we’re playing across the country. Win or lose, I would hate to miss it. Everything would be perfect if they could just win tonight. We can celebrate with them and then get on a plane for California tomorrow morning without any stress.
Coach and Pierce are here. Ginny is nowhere to be found and hasn’t been seen at a single game since that night when Kennedy spoke with Coach and Fallon. From what Kennedy told me, Coach didn’t know what Ginny did to her. I had suspected as much.
She came home from her father’s that night emotionally exhausted. She crawled into bed naked and then showered me with more love and affection than I would have thought possible for her. It was like she couldn’t get enough of me. I loved it and tried to give her everything she needed.
I see Coach glaring at me in my Jeffries number eight jersey. I hope he asks me about it again. I won’t lie to his face. There’s nothing I want more than to tell him the truth about us. To tell everyone. To be able to love her wherever and whenever I want. She’s so damn stubborn about it.
We’ve gotten into a few fights lately over when we’ll tell everyone. I don’t understand why she won’t come clean. It’s basically the only strain on our relationship right now. Everything else has become seamless. I desperately want to jump over this one last hurdle.
Kam and Cheetah make their way to our seats, and Layton glares at them. “Last to arrive. Per always. Let’s hear the latest crazy fun fact from you two."
They exchange knowing glances before Kam looks at us with the usual mischief written all over her face, and says, “If a female octopus isn’t in the mood, she’ll strangle the male octopus and then eat him.”
I think every male within earshot winces. I shake my head. “That feels like an extreme response. Can’t she just roll away from him like every other woman?”
Kam smiles as she shrugs. “Maybe he’s into being choked.”
My girl certainly is.
“And eaten?” I ask.
She lets out a laugh. “To each their own.”
I suppose.
I see her staring at Kennedy so I ask, “How’s it going with your number one client?”
“Great. She just shot her commercial for a big cosmetics company. I can’t tell you which one yet, but it’s huge. She was amazing. I think you’re going toreallylike it.” She shoots me a suggestive look.
Not only is the look a little weird, but it’s equally odd that she’d tell me that. Does she know about us?
I stare at her skeptically, but she simply winks before taking her seat.
The game begins, and it’s a back-and-forth affair, keeping us all on the edge of our seats. It’s two great teams battling basket for basket. Kennedy is working her ass off on the boards, as she has for the entire series. Rebound after rebound, she helps her team to either keep possession or gain possession. She’s one of the shortest girls out there, but it doesn’t matter because she’s so strong and tough. She can also jump a mile high. I’d like to think I played some part in her increased vertical leap. Regardless, I love the gritty way she plays. I can’t take my eyes off her, even when she doesn’t have the ball.
I catch a glimpse of the Band-Aid around her left ring finger. Normally, she wears makeup to cover it, but not during games. She fears the makeup rubbing off so she resorts to a bandage, which I have to do all the time.
For some reason, seeing that Band-Aid is bothering me more now than ever. It should be a diamond, not that piece of shit she’s wearing now.
I want to do this right. Even though we’re married already, I want to propose and have a real wedding. Not one we barely remember officiated by Elvis/Pinky.
The first thing I need to do is to buy a ring. One that better fits my queen. Second thing, talk to Coach about everything and then ask for his blessing. Third, it’s time to get down on one knee.
KENNEDY
We lost on a buzzer-beater the other night in New York. It was heartbreaking. The good news is we’re playing in Philly tonight for a winner-take-all game seven. The bad news is that Daylen is on the other side of the country playing his own game today. He said my father made arrangements for them to watch at least the second half of our game on the airplane ride back.
I’m not sure which one of them was more disappointed that we lost, meaning they wouldn’t be at the winner-take-all game. I appreciate how much they both care.
Sulley and her bodyguard are picking me up in about an hour. I’m in my bathroom getting ready when my text tone pings.
Dad: Good luck today. I’m sorry I can’t be there. I asked management for a leave of absence, but they said no. I’m so sorry. We’ll be watching on the plane. Number seventeen is defending you tightly. If you draw her in, you’ll be able to spin away and get open for an easy basket.
I smile. I don’t remember the last time I got basketball advice from him. I was probably fifteen or sixteen.
