“I should have been with them,” I insist.“I should have been on that plane.”
Clay takes my face in his hands and swipes at my cheeks, at the tears I didn’t notice before now.
“I’m fucking glad you weren’t,” he whispers against my lips.
His expression makes the guilt in my chest ease, replacing it with a feeling of warmth and hope.
“You are?”I blink up at him.It’s the first time someone’s said that to me, and it means the world.
“Fuck yes.For starters”—he pulls back an inch—“no one would’ve been on that commercial flight last month to tell me I should consider a career in basketball.And you see how well that worked out.”
My eyes squeeze shut.“Stop it?—”
His laugher rumbles through me, and he pulls me tight until we’re both rocking with it.
“Wanna watch a movie?”
“Yes.”
He turns on the TV and flicks to an On Demand channel with every film known to man before handing me the remote.
“Anything I want?”
“Anything.”
I chooseThe Princess Bride, which has an ill-fated wedding through no fault of the wedding party.
Before I fall asleep in Clay’s arms, I decide the events of today were almost worth it because they gave me this moment.
21
NOVA
The next day, I’m at the stadium and working on a different set of drawings that have nothing to do with my sister’s wedding.
Harlan said I could come and go as I wanted, and security made it easy.So, it wasn’t difficult to plan my visit to match with the Kodiaks' on-court practice while Mari’s at work.
Down on the court, the guys are in practice jerseys, running drills.I never before appreciated how tightly scripted the game is.Every act of aggression on the court, every defensive play, is planned and rehearsed over and over.
Right now, the coaches hold tablets, talking amongst themselves.The head coach watches intently, arms crossed as Clay brings the ball up the court, guarded closely by the rookie.
Clay spins away, beating the rookie by a full second.There’s a moment’s hesitation when he shifts his weight.
Miles cuts toward the edge of the court and calls out.Clay’s head snaps up, and he fires a pass to his teammate, who takes a three that’s all net.
Jayden celebrates, high-fiving Clay, who looks as if he’s up in his head about something.The knee?
Even still, I’m sitting up in the corporate box, high enough that none of the players will notice me.It’s not that Clay wouldn’t be okay with me showing up, but I’m not here to see him.Not entirely.
I watch, and I draw.
“Don’t tell me you’re changing horses mid-race.”Brooke drops onto the seat next to me and makes me jump.
“How are you so quiet in heels?”
“Practice.”She tosses her braids over a shoulder, then takes in the drawing I’m working on.“You hitting on my brother?”
“No.”I flip the page to the previous one.“I have all the guys.Miles, too.”
