If she was trying to be intimidating, it didn’t work. Because sinking two free throws like a boss only made her more attractive.
When they finally decided to break for half, Christian’s team was up by seven. Maizie had hit two more shots and three free throws off fouls that weren’t really fouls.
“Don’t foul Hugh,” Jayce said as they returned to the court. “He never misses.”
Christian had noticed that as well. Their whole team was good at foul shots. Christian’s was not.
Hugh brought the ball down, daring someone to attack him, and when Jayce finally did, he lobbed it to Rob. Christian jumped through the air, hoping to snatch it before Rob did. But his elbow connected with something hard, and he came down on top of Rob instead.
“Shoot, sorry man.” Christian jumped up, holding out a hand to Rob, who didn’t take it.
Rob covered his face with his hand. “I think you gave me a black eye.”
“Seriously, Christian?” Maizie dropped down beside Rob, and he removed his hand. It wasn’t a black eye, just a bloody nose.
“Oh no, come on.” Maizie pulled him up and glared at Christian as she walked Rob out of the shed. Jayce and Lindsay followed Maizie and Rob.
“Do I need to get worried?” Hugh asked. “Are you going to take me out next?”
“It was an accident,” Christian said with a sigh.
“Just like Maizie’saccident,huh?”
“What?”
“Dude, I hardly know you, but even I can see you like her.” Hugh was almost as obnoxious as Jayce was.
Figures, since they’re family.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Christian picked up the loose ball and spun it between his hands.
“Just remember, she’s got a lot of cousins who will protect her if you ever hurt her on purpose,” Hugh said with a chuckle, then walked out, leaving Christian alone in the shed.
He held the last ball in his hand, but instead of putting it in the corner with the rest of the balls, he shot it. Again and again, he threw the ball into the backboard. Taking his annoyance with everybody out on the hoop.
When his annoyance dissipated, he let the old familiar pain of grief fly.
One, two, three missed shots from his spot on the three-point line. He retrieved the ball and dribbled back to the line. He took his time, aimed, and threw up another shot.
Miss.
He rebounded the ball just to slam it against the cement floor, then he sank down beside it.
Why could he never make that one shot?
Seventeen
“Are you sure you’re okay?” Maizie asked Rob, who held an ice pack against his nose. The rest of the group had returned to Grandma and Grandpa’s for dessert, so she and Rob were alone in the house.
“Yeah, I’m good,” he said, his voice coming out nasally.
“I have a tampon you could try,” Maizie teased. “They’re very absorbent.”
“I’ll take your word for it,” Rob said with a chuckle. He removed the ice and put his glasses back on. It didn’t look like his nose was broken, but Maizie was no doctor.
“Thanks for letting me come tonight,” Rob said. “It was nice. It always feels like home with your family.”
“Of course.” Maizie leaned forward to give him a hug. “It was fun.” She smiled as she realized how true the words were. She had finally faced her fear and gone into the shed she’d been avoiding for years now. “Thanks for helping me tonight.”
