ELEVEN
JORDAN
“Don’t you make millions now? You couldn’t spring for movers?”
I laugh as I watch two former CTU teammates, Carter Smith and Theo Williams, carry two giant boxes into my new apartment in Charlotte and set them on the white quartz kitchen counter. The late-summer heat is blistering as I reach into the fridge and toss them cold bottles of water before taking a long pull from my own.
“And deny you the chance to see your captain one more time before you head back to campus? I would never.”
“You also promised steak.” Carter wiggles his eyebrows and I roll my eyes.
“Pizza. I said pizza, and if you keep complaining, it’ll be the five-dollar frozen variety.”
Feigning a gag, Carter strides to the wall of windows overlooking the city. I may not have hired movers, but I did invest in a penthouse apartment with three bedrooms, two bathrooms, and incredible views.
“This view is enough to motivate your boy to ball out this year. The league looks good from here.” Carter has the raw talent and athleticism to become the next basketball superstar. While he’s the funny guy on our team, he’s also the most loyal person I know.
I walk beside him and squeeze his shoulder. I can’t believe I won’t be playing with my brothers this year. We had the college season of a lifetime, winning the national championship and finishing as the top team in the country.
“Carter, you’ll be in my shoes in no time. Enjoy this last season of college ball. The league will wait for you.” He nods, smiling at this and we head back to the kitchen to find Williams frowning.
“What’s wrong, big guy?” Williams is the CTU center and while his talent is unrivaled, he’s the definition of the strong, silent type.
“Nothing. Carter. Are we almost done here? I’m starving.” Williams’s eyes pin on me and I grin back.
“Yeah, boys. You’ve done good. I’ll order something, and you can help me set up the TV and Xbox.
They both groan before Carter holds up a finger. “Only if you let us play after.”
“Deal.”
A few hours,several slices of pizza, and too many heated video games later, Carter and Williams leave and I’m alone in my own place for the first time in my life. The silence is deafening.
I settle back on the couch, pretending I don’t see the eighty-five boxes that need to be opened and put away. I turn on the television, find a college football game on for background noise and pick up my phone. My brow creases when I see a few missed calls from my twin sister.
Before I do anything else, I hit call back and she answers on the first ring.
“Jordan, there you are. I’ve been trying to call you all day.”
“What’s up, sis? Everything okay?”
A pause answers me and my anxiety grows.
“Reagan…”
“I’m fine. It’s not about me. It’s about Mack.”
“What about her?”
“She’s gone.”
“What do you mean, gone?”
“She broke up with Trey and got on a plane to London. She’s moving there until after Christmas to teach.”
“Very funny, Reagan.”
“I’m not kidding.”
