“After being locked in here, I think a spa day sounds like the right place to start.”
I grinned. “That’s a great idea—”
“Who is ready for some good hard work?” the physical therapist announced as she strolled into the room.
I watched my aunt get rolled out for another day of treatment when my phone vibrated with a text.
Spam.
It was almost embarrassing how badly I wanted it to be Lamar. For the next forty-eight hours, every time my phone chimed, I thought it was him. Excitement and nerves swirled in my belly with every text notification and then disappointment and confusion tugged at me when it wasn’t him. The date we’d gone on was the best date of my life. It wasn’t extravagant or over-the-top. It wasn’t even the activity that made it so good. It was him. I’d never felt as instantly connected to a man, and it made me nervous that I felt something with him—and I wanted to feel it again.
So it was a little disconcerting that he didn’t reach out to me until Wednesday night. But I played it cool.
Lamar Anderson:Would you prefer Jamaican or Italian food on Sunday?
Jazmyn Payne:Jamaican sounds good.
Lamar Anderson:How are you? How’s Chance treating you since I left?
Jazmyn Payne:I haven’t seen much of Chance since you left. But I’m doing well. How are you?
Lamar Anderson:Tired. But I’m cool. What are you up to?
Jazmyn Payne:Watching a movie with a frown.
Lamar Anderson:Why a frown?
Jazmyn Payne:Because this woman begged this engaged man to let the outcome of their one-on-one game determine if they’d be together and he basically took off his leg brace, tossed his crutches to the side and threw some flagrant fouls in order to beat her.
Lamar Anderson:Yoooooooooo! I’m weak!
I grinned, imagining his laugh.
Jazmyn Payne:What are you up to?
Lamar Anderson:Just got home from a three-day minicampand wanted to hit you up before I crashed. Can I call you tomorrow?
Jazmyn Payne:Of course. You don’t have to ask.
Lamar Anderson:I didn’t know what you and your aunt had planned so I wanted to make sure.
I felt a pit in my stomach.
As I read his text again, I was reminded that he had no idea what was going on with my aunt.
Jazmyn Payne:If you’re free in the afternoon, that’s probably the best time.
Lamar Anderson:Aight, I’m going to sleep, and I’ll hit you up tomorrow afternoon.
Jazmyn Payne:I look forward to hearing from you. Have a good night!
Thursday morning, I walked into the rehab facility like I had every other day that week. The only difference was that while she was doing occupational therapy, I spent time talking to Lamar. When I heard her coming down the hall, I told him I’d call him that night. And when she entered the room, some of the joy I felt from the call dwindled.
“How was your session?” I asked, studying her as they got her situated in the hospital bed.
Her lips turned upward. “Good,” she said weakly.
She was not good.
