Page 22 of Fast Break


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After Coach's speech and a refreshing shower, I gather my things and follow myteammatesout to the bus that will take us back to the hotel. Our flight home was early in the morning.Tishawalks out with me, trying to hide her wince. I nod at her knee brace."Bothering you again?"

"You mean 'still'?"She sighs."Don't tell anyone, but the last time I met with the docs and we went over the latest imaging, the prognosis is replacement surgery in my future. I've done more than tear a ligament, apparently. Doesn't look like I'll see thefieldat all thisseason."

"Damn,Tisha. I'm so sorry."

She shrugs, thenpullsme away from the crowd while we wait for the rest of theteamto come out."It's a good thing I was planning an early retirement, or I'd be more upset. But theteamis in good hands with you in the crease and, frankly, I'm ready. I've had astickin my hand since I was four. I love it. But Manny and I have been thinking about moving. A great opportunity for him came up, but it means relocating to Wyoming."

Manny andTishamarried a few years ago. He's a defense contractor in the communicationsfieldworking out of Fort Meade. My mouth drops."So you're not onlyleavingtheteam, you'releavingthe area?"

Tishahoists her bag further up on her shoulder."Looks like it. We've been thinking about having a family. But let's face it. Maryland is freakin' expensive. With a bump in pay and a lower cost of living, we could own a house, two cars, and if I wanted to stay home with a baby I could."

"Your mother won't like it,"I tease.

"I've dropped hints, but she's ignoring them. I may need to find a place that will allow us to move her in with us."

I giggle."Bet Manny would love it."

Tisharolls her eyes."I swear, he should be her child and I should be the in-law. She's probably more upset about him moving than her only daughter."

"Don't say anything to the rest of theteam, though,"Tishareminds me, unnecessarily. Of course, I won't share her news."Hey, maybe we can double with you andCharliethis weekend. After our Saturday homegame, we don't play again until Thursday, soCoachwill give us the weekend off. Want to do something Saturday night?"

"I don't think that'd be a good idea,"I said with a grimace."This thing withCharlieand me isn't supposed to involve double dating. That's what couples do and we are not a couple."

"You don't have to be committed to join your friends fordinner.Charlie'smy friend, too. It doesn't have to be weird. I promise not to bring up how he took you glass-smashing, then you did some smashing against the wall."

My insides heat as they do whenever I replay that night in my mind. It was only a few days ago, but it feels like both eons and only hours. I haven't seenCharliesince we left for thegame. He didn't travel with us this time. Imisshim, but I'm not supposed to. You missed yourboyfriend, not your hookup.

I'm determined to remind myself he is firmly in the latter category, not the former. I shake my head."It's too intimate."

"All right, I get it,"Tisha's look tells me she doesn't really. But she doesn't press."If you change your mind, let me know."

My phone vibrates as I find a seat on the bus, and I can't help the way my heart kicks thinking it'sCharlie. He'd texted me before thegameto wish me luck, a text I ignored only for the fact I wanted to reply so desperately. I shouldn't be so eager to reply to someone I'm only sleeping with. But I'll reply to him now, because whatever else, he is still my friend. It makes sense in my head.

Unfortunately, it isn'tCharlie. It's my father. He hates talking on the phone, while my mother hates texting. Sometimes, if they were both mad at me for something—a common occurrence—I would get calls from Mom followed by a barrage of texts from Dad. I've been avoiding my mother, so I'm not surprised to hear from him.

Dad

Come fordinnertonight. We need to talk to you and your mother hasn't been able to reach you.

Me

Can't. I'm in Iowa. I'll be backtomorrow.

Dad

Fine.Tomorrowthen. 5:00. Don't be late.

I don't bother replying, since it isn't a question. It's a command. I mute notifications and put in my earbuds so I can ignore my life for the nexttwenty hours.

Thirteen

Palmer

Charlieinvitedme out for Monday evening and seemed disappointed I had to decline. He offered to come over after I returned from my parents', but I didn't know how late I'd be nor was I all that sure I'd be in the mood. I appreciate how gracious he was, unlikeBrennan, who threw a tantrum when he didn't get his way. The more I learn aboutCharlie, the more I wonder how I ever thought I loved a guy likeBrennan. I must've been insane.

Ishowup at my parents' house just before five,wearinga floral jumper my mother had bought me. The wide legs and tapered waist aren't the most flattering to my frame, but the halter style of thetopmakes the girls look high and proud. Maybewearingit will appease her enough she'll cut me some slack about whatever this meal is about. Probably more haranguing aboutBrennan. As a bonus, the jumper is long pants. I've picked up a few more ugly bruises since Jewel nailed me inpracticea couple of weeks ago, and I definitely do not need my mother cueing in on those to add to her arsenal of criticisms.

I use the gate to let myself into the backyard and enter through the back door, which leads me into a mudroom larger than my apartment's bedroom. Through there, I cross into the kitchen and inhale the sumptuous scent of lemon and basil. Our housekeeper and cook, Helen, stands at the oven stirring a pot. She turns her head and smiles when I enter."Palmer, so lovely to see you."