I could get used to it.
My heart rate’s barely returned to normal when I hear myself speak.“Move in with me.”
She pulls back.“What?”
Hell, maybe I have lost my head.But I plow on anyway.“I like waking up and seeing you in my bed.Going to sleep with you next to me.”
“We do that already.”
It’s not the response I hoped for.“But right now, we have to fight for time together.This way, you'd have more than a toothbrush at my place.”My life is routines and schedules, and I don’t want to leave being with her to chance.“My place won’t just be a place you crash but a place you’re at home.”
The last girl I tried to commit to bailed on me, and that hurt sneaks up in my chest, a suspicious snake ready to lash out.
“Can I think about it?”
“Yeah.”I inch away, but she pulls me back with surprising strength.
“Hey, I didn’t say no.I said I want to think about it.I finally feel like I’m getting my life in order, and you’ve been a big part of that.”Her lips brush my ear.Her soft scent fills my nostrils and calms my system.“Would there be space for me to work?There’s this show in New York, and… I don’t want to get paint in your sports memorabilia room.”
The knot of tension between my shoulders eases.“I’ll move it out.”
I’d build her a thousand studios if she wanted.Let her drag a wet brush across every jersey and game ball.
The moment before I fall asleep, her heart is still thudding against mine, her arms wrapped around me.
I hope to hell that’s enough for her.
24
CLAY
They say the all-star game is a perk, not a competition.
But life is a competition.
I’m playing with the best in the league.It’s a chance to test myself against every talented, hardworking, genetically blessed guy who ever picked up a basketball and dreamed he could make this his life.
That’s the real fun of the entire weekend.
Now, in the huddle around me, there are four other guys representing the best of the Western Conference.Including Kyle Banks, one of LA’s stars.
“Hey, Wade.This is gonna be fun to be on the same side for once.”
He’s not wrong.
We head onto the court and let loose.
The first play up the court, Kyle takes it and tosses an alley-oop to our point forward.On the way back, the East puts on their show with a pump fake chased by a fadeaway.
This is like the Oscars.A celebration of the sport and what we all can do.
The next trip up, I do my part, weaving and dodging before I put it down with a thunderous dunk drowned out by hollering and applause.
Normally, we sub out every few minutes, so when our coach for the night nods at me to sit in exchange for another player, it’s performative and not personal.
“Rumor says we might be playing together sooner than later.”The voice has me looking over to see Kyle grinning from down the bench.“Need someone ruthless in my camp.”
There’s respect between us, but he’s never been my favorite person.His game has an extra edge mine doesn’t.If he can’t win straight, he’ll win dirty.
