Ouch.
“Thought as much. But I want to be transparent, you know? No loose ends.”
There shouldn’t be anything awkward about this. So why are my hands flapping around like I’m a DJ missing his decks?
“We done here?” she drawls. “Because I’d like to get the hell out of this shithole and have a shower without some guy’s hand on my ass.”
And just like that, she whips around and makes a beeline for the Pontiac, firing up her engine and leaving me for dust. I burst out laughing. One thing’s for sure—with that mean streak of hers and the lack of social niceties, she’s definitely the craziest lay I’ve ever had.
I ARRIVE IN SYCAMORE HEIGHTSexactly as planned, right on schedule. Thinking I’d be good for practice might have been a little optimistic, though, because I’m exhausted by the time I stumble out of the car, plus there’s this low-level anxiety at the thought of leaving my Dodge unattended. I catch myself glancing around shiftily, like I’m expecting some Brooklyn guy to jump me. I remind myself that Amy warned them all off this town, though, and little by little, I feel myself starting to relax. The parking lot has security, anyway—I need to move on and put the whole nightmare behind me.
I barely have time to open my locker when Donovan is there, thumping me on the back and crawling up my ass.
“Saw you pull up—dude, I am seriously relieved!”
I sent a voice note to the group chat to let the guys know I was heading home in my own car, but I didn’t tell them exactly what went down in New York. My plan is to spill this evening over pizza. Make a celebration out of it.
“I was thinking you’d be too beat for practice.”
I peel off my sweater. “When have I ever slacked when it comes to basketball?”
“Never.” He laughs, rubbing my shoulder, and I jerk back, eyeing him warily.
“Why are you groping me, man? Gimme some space, here.” I whip him with my basketball shorts.
“I was worried about you, that’s all.” He leans in to try to pinch my cheek affectionately. “It’s like you’re my soldier son, back from a war.”
“You know, if you’d said that on Thursday before I hit the road, I probably would’ve laughed in your face,” I say. “But that’s exactly what it felt like. I saw things, Wolinski…” My voice quivers. “The stuff of nightmares. Things no man can ever forget.”
And I’m not just talking about Amy’s tits.
When Coach’s voice comes booming down the hallway, Donovan pulls a face, and I grin back at him. I’m leaving him on a cliff-hanger, and I’m getting a kick out of it. I tug on my jersey, pull on my sneakers, and trot over to the court, feeling my mind empty of any thoughts as I shift into the zone, the ball I catch in midair acting like a reset. This is how it always goes, and this afternoon is no different. I think that’s why I love basketball so much, and why nothing—other than the Dodge, that is—matters so much to me.
“Wow, you’re smashing it today!” Don flashes me a thumbs-up.
“I love it when you talk dirty to me.”
“You move better out there when you’re relaxed.”
I nod. “Yup. That’s what your dad’s been telling me since the day I first signed up. I’m working on it—one of my goals for the year.”
“Seems like it’s paying off for you. What’s your secret?”
Oh, just a little drag racing with Amy Hitman.
“One Tree Hill.”
“Hook me up next time. Could be just what I need to psych myself up for the draft.”
IT’S DARK BY THE TIMEI get home, and I’m feeling amazing, what with Coach’s hard-core drills and a quick workout at the gym. Pushing open the front door, I spot Lane and Adam slumped on the couch, Donovan and his owner drifting out of the kitchen, discussing some book that Carrie’s holding—or wielding, more like. She looks like she’s about to whoop his ass with it. They glance over at me, and Carrie gives me a quick wave.We’re making progress…
“Where’s my homecoming kiss, Wolinski?”
She shoots me a withering look.Baby steps!
“Okay, I’m gonna leave you ladies to it,” she snorts, smirking at Don before disappearing into his room.
“She issucha pain in the ass. I was actually winning, back there.”
