The shouting rises again, but I’m already walking off. A couple of scouts are already hovering nearby, pretending to check their phones while clearly waiting for a chance to speak.
‘Daniel’ could handle this.
I glance up toward the stands instead, scanning instinctively. I know she watched. I know she saw exactly what I did tonight. She should be here next time.
Because the way I’m feeling now, after a win like this, I need my woman by my side.
twenty-five
i choose you!
Frankie.
“Okay.The ad blockers are up. It should be fine now.”
Mrs. McKingsley squintsat her phone, then she taps the screen once, twice, again but harder.
“Hm.” She tilts it toward me. “Why is the sound still low?”
“That’s not the ads,” I say gently, reaching over. “That’s just your volume.”
“Oh.” She laughs, unbothered. “Well. You’re clever with these things. Sit. Sit before the match finishes.”
I barely put my arse to the sofa before the living room erupts.
Amin steals the ball near midfield and Sol makes a run. Jabari breaks free down the right wing with so much pride and confidence.
My stomach tightens anyway. I sink down beside Za, knees tucked under me, hands clenched together without realizing it. Za nudges my leg with her foot.
“You alright?” she murmurs, eyes still on the match.
“Yeah,” I lie easily. “Just loud in here.”
She snorts. “They’ve been loud about football since primary school. Don’t start acting brand new.”
On screen, Jabari dribbles past a defender like it’s nothing. The commentator raises his voice.
“And there’s McKingsley again. Composed, dominant, dictating the pace?—”
“That’s my son!” Mrs. McKingsley claps.
“That’s my brother!” Za beams.
That’s my—oop.
Let me shut the fuck up.
The camera cuts to a close-up of Jabari’s face. Sweat on his brow. Jaw set. Focused in a way I recognize too well. I think about him yesterday morning before he left:
“You’ll cheer for me right?”he asks as he presses a kiss into the tip of my nose.
“I don’t know, I’m a big fan of the other guys.”
“Uh-huh,” I cock an eyebrow. “And what’s their team name?”
“... the Other guys.”
He laughs once. “Right, And the other guys had you cumming all over?—”
