Her jaw tightens.
Next serve.
She tosses.
Launches.
The ball slices through the air and slams into the wall inches from my head.
The crack reverberates through the gym.
Players freeze.
Coach blows his whistle.
“Cortez! Go get the ball!”
I’m already moving.
Grinning like a son of a bitch.
I retrieve it before she can.
Turn it in my hands once.
Walk it to her.
Slow.
Measured.
She stands her ground.
Arms loose at her sides.
Breathing steady.
Up close, I have to look down.
I stop a foot away.
Hold the ball between us.
She’s irritated. I find it sexy as hell. The air crackles with invisible sparks.
This is what I’ve been missing….
“Cortez? You missed?”
“I won’t next time.”
“Didn’t realize this was your court.”
“It is and I don’t remember inviting you on it.”
Her eyes flash.
“You’re still in the way.”
