Page 6 of Fast Break


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Me

I'm not his usual type. He likes pixie women.

Tisha

So?Showhim what it's like to be with a real woman

I grin at Tisha’s confidence in me.

Me

Might be a problem–I'm notexactlyexperienced. My body count is single digit, and never anything more adventurous than me on my knees. EspeciallyBrennan.

Tisha

Enough. Don't need to hear it. ButCharlieis a great choice because he's so experienced. I bet he can teach you things... And he's hot AF

Me

So. We're agreed. I'm going to go out and hit onCharlie.

Tisha

If you're looking for a good time, then go. Just don't forget we have a game tomorrow night.

Me

I'll be home early, mom. Tonight is more like scouting, feeling him out. Nothing would be more mortifying than getting rejected by CharmingCharlie.

I put my phone on the charger and sigh. I've never had a one-nightstandor short-term fling before. I'm not usually confident enough topickup an attractive guy in abarand take him back to my bed, not that there have been all that many opportunities. I've never wanted to do anything to tarnish my reputation or my family's. I've never done anything so recklesslyfun.

"Let's do it."Mind made up, Ipushoff the bed.Charlieand I have been friends since I joined theteamand he's always been a little flirtatious. It's his personality. Friends with benefits is something I've never tried before, and Charlie strikes me as the perfect candidate. But would he be interested? I'll never know unless I put myself out there. I am going to be spontaneous and bubbly and fun.Suck on that,Brennan.

Too bad my closet doesn't reflect my new attitude. Other than athleisure or jeans and tees, I have the more formal clothes my mother insisted on buying me. If I were going to a teapartyor a ladies' garden club meeting, I'd have a wealth of outfits to choose from. What my mother's obsession with florals is I will never understand, but it's one of our major disconnects. She is into frilly, flowery, and feminine; I pref sporty, comfortable, and functional, an aestethic now biting me in theass.

I flip through my hangers, finally pulling out a silky turquoise cap-sleeved v-neck to pair with my black denim capris. The rouching under the bosom emphasizes my larger-than-averagechest, so I don't wear this shirt often. Tonight it would be a bonus to catchingCharlie'sattention. I rub my favorite peach and wild berry moisturizer into my skin and dress, relieved nothing is too tight.

There isn't much I can do with my hair, so I leave it down, but I pay a little moreattentionto my makeup using a trick I'd learned on TikTok to make my eyesstandout. After adding a pair of silver dangles and a chunky strand of multicolored beads, I give myself one more check in the mirror. I hum an old Springsteen song as I slick on a peonypinklipgloss."Well,"I tell my reflection,"We ain't a beauty but we're all right."

Four

Palmer

Thirty minutes later,my confidence wobbles and anxiety ratchets to its highest level. I survey the scene inside Poe's, a smallbarin the Federal Hill neighborhood of Baltimore and a short Lyft ride from the apartment. It's a favorite hangout of theteam, and I've been here before, but suddenly I’m overwhelmed. I spotCharlieat thebartalking to an attractive brunette, another pixie. She wears a short skirt that rides up to expose flawless thighs and a shimmery red haltertopthat pops against bronzed skin similar toCharlie's, only hers has the orangey undertone you get from badly applied spray tans.

She's talking, constantly reaching out totouchhim, while he appears to be listening intently. GuessCharliealready found his girl for the night. I debate turning around andleavingbefore anyone notices me, but I hesitate a second too long.

"Palmer!"Emma, the intern I met earlier, waves me over to a talltoptable where shesitswith Benji,Liberty,Dante,Mei, and a woman I don't recognize. They greet me with a cheer.Dantelifts hisbottleofbeerin a salute.

"Keep!"he shouts. I duck my head, imagining all the heads in thebarturning toward me.

"Keep?"asksthe puzzled woman standing next toMei."Keep what?"

Dantelaughs."It's her position. She's the goalkeeper. The 'Keep'."

"Don't worry, sweetie,"Meisays."Keep hanging with me, you'll catch on."

"Most people call mePalmer,"I say, scooting onto an empty stool betweenDanteandMei.