With Lewis Conley.
25LEWIS
We’re nearly done with February, and while January was a total disaster, the past three weeks we’ve been killing it. My stats are on the up, and the team pulled it back—we went soaring up the conference standings and now have a shot at winning the whole thing. Which is exactly what I need to scoop up as many extra points as possible before the draft.
The draft.It’s all I ever think about, except in the moments I spend with Firebird. I’m still trying to keep a little space between us, but things are flowing smoothly for me, so I’ve cut myself some slack. We’re seeing each other a little more regularly now. I’m waiting for her outside the gym, and when I see her walking toward me looking sexy as hell, my heart skips a beat. Okay, so all she’s wearing are leggings and a sweater, but for a jock like me, it’s basically the dream outfit.
“Ready to roll?”
She nods. “Yup.”
She glances nervously at the front door.
“Don’t tell me you’re having second thoughts?” I laugh.
“Hell no! It’s just… You sure it’s cool for me to be here?”
“Definitely. I’m allowed a plus-one.”
I haven’t had the chance to see her all week, so I came up with aworkaround—a way for us to hang without messing up my basketball schedule. She’s into her workouts, so I invited her to come check out the VIP facilities that the SHU teams get to use. Shedidchallenge me to a one-on-one, after all—and there’s no way I could resist taking her up on it. Today, I’m gonna show her just how long and hard I can go.
I’m about to reassure her some more, when something catches my eye. Or someone, more like.Would you look at that…
“Amir!” I yell.
He glances over his shoulder, and I’m pretty sure I catch him swearing under his breath when he sees me—or when he sees Firebird? I frown, beckoning him over, and he hesitates, shifting from foot to foot, searching for a way out before slowly walking over to us. Why is he being like this? I don’t get it. Last time we spoke, he was super psyched, and then he just dropped off the radar overnight.
“Hey, Lewis.”
He clears his throat, nods at my mentee. Amy just stares at him in silence.Okay, what’s the situation here? Because something isn’t right.
“What the hell, Amir? You broke my heart, ghosting me like that.”
“I didn’t!” He glances at Amy. “I mean, yeah… I kinda did. I just…” He looks around helplessly. “It’s been a lot, man. College is way more hard-core than I expected, so yeah…”
I stare at him. What is going on? I’m so confused. He’s one of the most upbeat guys I’ve ever met, but today he looks tense.
“?‘So yeah’? That it?”
“Thank you so much for the opportunity, but I’m gonna have to pass. You guys have a great day.”
I stare after him as he heads back the way he came before spinning around to Amy.
“What the hell just happened there?”
She stifles a smirk, batting her lashes at me. “Seems like he’s got a lot on his plate. Which is a shame. Hope you’re not too disappointed.”
“He was looking at you like he was terrified.”
And that’s when it hits me.
Don’t tell me she…
“Did you warn him off?” I ask.
She rolls her eyes. “Oh, comeon! Does that sound like me?”
“Yes—yes, it does, Amy.”
