Before I started typing, I pulled my phone out and responded to the messages I’d gotten from Aaliyah and Nina to let them know I was okay. And then I called Lamar.
“Jazz,” he answered, his voice louder than the noise around him.
“Hey.” I glanced at the time. “Oh, sorry, you’re at the airport, aren’t you?”
“On the plane. We’re about to take off, but I didn’t want to miss your call. How’s Aunt Addy?”
I closed my eyes, allowing the sound of his voice and the care in his words to wash over me. “She’s not talking, and she looks smaller than she was when I left. But she’s still here.”
But I don’t know for how much longer.
That thought nearly took me out.
“I’m glad you’re there for her,” he said gently. “Is there anything I can do? Let me know how I can be there for you.”
Overwhelmed, I put my hand to my chest.
“You can play your ass off tomorrow,” I answered.
“I can do that. We’re about to take off. But if you need anything, I need you to tell me, okay?”
“Okay.”
“I’m serious. Anything you want, anything you need, just let me know.”
“I will. Thank you.” A small smile pulled at my lips. “Now have a safe flight and text me to let me know you landed.”
We exchanged goodbyes, and after ending the call, I put the phone over my heart and exhaled.
That man.
I knew he had feelings for me. He’d made a whole show of letting me know all the ways he wanted me. But when I’d said I wanted to be in a relationship with him, he’d hesitated. And even though I knew he said his schedule didn’t leave time for a relationship, his silence stung.
I knew he felt what I felt, but I wasn’t going to bring it up again. The last thing I wanted was to lose him. There were only four people who I let fully see me, and I was already losing one of them.
Picking up my laptop, I walked to my aunt’s bedroom and made myself comfortable in the chair in the corner. While Aunt Addy slept, I wrote. I was determined to complete the story as soon as possible.
She will know how the story ends, I thought with my fingers flying across the keys.
Jazmyn Payne:It’s late. I know you’re probably asleep. I didn’t call you back because I didn’t want to wake you. But I’m looking forward to watching you play tomorrow. It’s been a long time since I’ve watched the game with my dad and my aunt, so it’ll be nice to be here with people I care about watching someone I care about live out his dreams. I just wanted to let you know that I’ll be watching and rooting for you. Your friendship means the world to me and I’m excited for you. Your first league start is a huge deal! Have a good night and talk to you tomorrow.
Lamar Anderson:I was just about to hit you up to see how you were because I’m about to go to sleep. Leon is snoring his ass off.
I was about to text him back, but my phone rang.
“Hello?” I answered.
“What’s up, Jazz?” Lamar’s deep voice was a sexy, gravelly whisper that sent a chill down my spine.
My toes wiggled under the covers. “Hi.”
“You okay?”
“I’m okay. You okay?”
“Yeah. I just wanted to check on you,” he said with a yawn. “I needed to hear your voice before game day.”
My lips curled into a smile.
