My sister and I may tease each other, but I can tell by her tone that she’s not lying right now. My heart soars and breaks in the same moment, if that’s even possible.
Mackenzie broke up with Trey. I’ve been waiting eight years for those words to exist. But London? I had no idea she was considering that and apparently neither did my sister.
“Rea, are you okay? Is she okay?”
“I don’t know. She seems off, but not heartbroken. I guess her job in California fell through, and she decided it was time for a clean break from the place—and from him.”
“Wow. That doesn’t sound like her.”
“I know. I’m worried about her, but I’m also relieved. She and Trey are finally over. What do you think about that?”
What do I think about that? Too many thoughts are flying through my mind, I can’t settle on one.
“I don’t know what to think.”
“Jordan, she’ll need time…”
“I know, Rea. I’ll give her time.”
“Just not too much.”
“Exactly.”
“Love you, bro.”
“Love you, sis.”
My life just got a lot more complicated, in the very best way.
CHAPTER
TWELVE
JORDAN
Tonight is my first NBA regular season game. It’s been a whirlwind summer and preseason. I can’t believe it’s already October, but I’m ready for what’s next. I’m loving life in Charlotte, but I can’t shake the feeling that there’s something missing. More like someone. Like she knows I’m thinking about her, a text comes through and gives me what I want most right now: hope.
Mack
Good luck tonight, J! I’ll be up watching.
Jordan
Thanks, Mack. Miss you.
Miss you, too.
My smile breaks free as I think about how things have changed between us. It feels like the universe is giving me a second chance to get things right. Our friendship has strengthened, despite the fact that she’s an ocean away from me.
I slide my phone back into my locker and sit down to tie my Nikes. As much as I want to say more, I don’t. I take a deep breath and focus onthe game ahead. I’ve made it to the NBA. I’m playing in my first game tonight. This is the dream I’ve worked my whole life for.
The Charlotte Sting arena is packed and loud. The team sold out its season tickets for the first time in years and the atmosphere is buzzing with excitement. Get it? Yeah. Dad joke. Taking it all in during warm-ups is surreal and I feel ready to jump out of my skin.
I remember being five and watching my dad suit up for this very team. It’s hard not to fall into the comparison trap when you end up playing for the same teams he did. Thankfully, we’ve never played the same position. After my senior season at CTU, the basketball world noticed our differences and playing here in Charlotte feels like a blessing, not a burden.
My parents, Reagan, and her boyfriend, Riggs, are all in a box that my dad bought. He wanted privacy—and the option to bring whoever they wanted.
The buzzer sounds, and we take our places on the bench, the reality of being an NBA starter hits. My name, position, and number echo through the arena and I swear I can hear my sister whistling. It’s a high I never want to come down from.
