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“There it is!” Collin declares, pointing at me like he’s Matlock and has finally tripped me up. “What are you going to do about that, huh?”
I stare at him like he’s lost it.
“You need to have a random hookup. No strings. Just sex.”
I roll my eyes just as Kendrick hurls a throw pillow at Collin. “My man! You did not just say that! The girl’s still healing.”
“Endorphins. Serotonin. Whatever sex releases, it’ll get you out of this indecision.”
“There’s no indecision. I’ve made my choice.”
“Except… so has he. He’s not here.” He scans the basement dramatically.
I need to change the subject. Collin’s not-so-subtle observation is lodged in my chest. “I’m going car shopping next weekend with Gavin.”
“They’ll be paying you to take the car once he gets through with them.” Collin laughs as if he can already picture it.
“Who’s Gavin?”
“My—” I shut up when Collin says the same thing.
“Your what, Collin?” I grip my hips, waiting for him to finally admit what he’s been avoiding telling me for years.
“My first…” He glances at me with a guilty grin, then says directly to Kendrick. “Guy kiss.”
“I knew it!” I pounce on top of Collin and begin pelting him with a pillow. “I fricken’ knew it! How could you?!”
Kendrick thinks we’re hilarious. And Collin think’s I’m hilarious because he can’t stop laughing. He flips me onto my back and begins tickling me. I shriek in high-pitched laughter.
“Stop. Stop. I surrender. I still love you even if those lips have touched my brother’s.”
Collin doesn’t relent. “Kiss me, baby. You know you want to.” I shriek again when he licks my neck.
“Collin, you’re disgusting!” I swipe his saliva off my neck.
“And you taste funky. No wonder the doctor dumped you.”
We’re going where?” I ask Rachel to repeat herself as she drives us through Weslyn, the next town over. I knew I should’ve driven my truck. Now we’re headed to a high school basketball game, and my truck is sitting in the parking lot at the firm, where Rachel surprised me after work, determined to make up for falling asleep last night.
“Emma’s basketball game. You don’t mind, right? I have to see her play. I love watching her. She’s so talented. Wait ‘til you see her.” She glances over at me. I can feel my brows pinch. I haven’t set foot inside a high school since I left mine. This is going to be weird.
“We’ll do something after, I promise. This will be real quick. You may even enjoy yourself.” She ends with a teasing lilt. I nod, bracing myself. But I can’t tell her not to attend her daughter’s game. Hell, my parents never attended—yeah, not going there. And I know she’s trying to get closer to Emma. I’ll suck it up.
Rachel’s an enthusiastic spectator. Even by NBA standards. She’s curbed the profanity… mostly. She keeps receiving looks from the teachers and parents. While also having attracted a fan club of students.
Speaking of… “Why are we in the student section?”
“Huh?” She’s not looking at me. “Shoot it! Emily! Shoooot it! I don’t know what’s gotten into her tonight. She usually takes those shots. I really wanted you to see her range. She has an incredible outside shot.” She starts jumping up and down when Emma tips the ball for a steal. “Run!” When she passes it off to a teammate for an easy layup, Rachel grumbles, “What is she doing? That was hers.”
I focus on Rachel with a slant of an eye. She’s really invested in Emma’s performance. This is important to her. I can’t decide if she wants Emma to play her best or to prove to everyone she is the best. My father demanded both.
“What was that?” His hand whacks the back of my head as I walk into the locker room. “Your form was sloppy. Tomorrow, you’re doing laps until you get it right.”
“I came in first,” I tell him. Maybe he didn’t realize. But as soon as I see the gleam of rage in his eyes, I know it was the wrong thing to say.
My father grips my arms and squeezes. I remain still, trying not to flinch or cry out. “It does not matter what place you come in, if you’re not doing it right. Get. It. Right.”
I nod. He releases me just as we hear the voices coming around the corner.
