“Wanna talk about what’s bothering you?” she asks.
I shake my head and instantly feel like a *. I’ve asked her to let me in and open up, but when she asks me…I can’t.
“Come on, you’re not going to have any fun like this. You’re a ball of nerves.”
I glance at her briefly; she’s sitting facing me as I drive. I can’t keep my eyes on her for long though and have to put them back on the road.
“I haven’t been keeping this from you, okay? I want you to know that first and foremost. What’s bothering me is part of who I used to be before losing Kinsey. You only know the Bain I am now, since losing her.”
“You can tell me anything.” She reassures me and grabs my hand.
“You know I played college basketball, right?”
“Yeah.”
“Well, it’s been talked about that I’d be a top ten pick in this year’s draft. With us sitting courtside, I feel like I’m more likely to have someone recognize me. Whether it’s a scout, or a reporter, or a coach. I mean, who knows? I just don’t wanna have to answer the questions of where I’ve been and why I left school, you know? I mean, people should know, but still, I don’t want to get into all that.”
She nods her head and twirls a piece of her blonde hair around her finger. “You don’t have to tell anybody anything.”
“What am I supposed to say?” I question her, a bit surprised that she’s not shocked by my news of me possibly being drafted so high into NBA.
“If anyone has the balls to even ask you, which I doubt they will, tell them you’ve had family matters to attend to and you haven’t ruled out the NBA.”
I can’t help, but laugh out loud. “What’s so funny?” she asks.
“I have ruled out the NBA.”
“Why the fuck would you do that, Bain?” she snaps.
I look over at her. She’s got her eyebrows creased and is dead serious waiting for my response. “I don’t have the desire to play anymore.”
“Well, get the motherfucking desire. Bain, do you have any idea what you’re throwing away? It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity. I mean, you are literally one in a million. I didn’t know your sister, but I can almost guarantee that she would be livid to know that you are just letting those dreams go. Any family member would agree with me. Please just think hard about it. I know losing her has been horrible, but in five years do you wanna look back and still be living at home with your parents in Jersey, or do you wanna be living your dreams?”
She pulls her hand away from mine and just shakes her head, crossing her arms over her chest.
“I’m sorry,” I say.
“Don’t be sorry to me, just do something about it. This is your life and only you’re in control of your future.”
I let her words soak in getting off the Garden State Parkway. I haven’t had an ass chewing like that in months and needed it. She’s right, this is my life and I have control over it. Once we’ve found a lot close to the stadium, I put the car in park and I turn towards her, but she goes to get out. Grabbing her arm, I stop her and she looks at me.
“Thank you,” I say, truly grateful for her. Her words replay through my mind like a broken record. In five years do you still want to be living at home with your parents, or do you wanna be living you dreams? I know deep down, I have some soul searching to do. I need to figure out what I’m going to do with my life. But she’s right; Kinsey would be pissed at me if she could see me now.
Leaning over, I place my palm against her cheek, cupping her beautiful face. She leans into my touch and I connect our lips, placing mine over hers. She’s so warm as I stare at her, molding our mouths together.
“Ready?” I ask.
“Yup.”
We both exit the car and bundle up. It’s a cold spring night. Arion sparks up a cigarette and I wrap her tightly in my hold. A light drizzle is starting to fall.
“How would reporters know you anyways?”
I chuckle at her question. This is not going to go well, I can tell already. “I might regret saying this later, but don’t ever Google me.”
“Really?”
“Yeah, there are some embarrassing interviews on YouTube from my freshman year in college.”
“I so know what I’m doing tonight.”
I squeeze her ass. “Don’t! I mean it.”
We both laugh and I exhale heavily. I’m actually a bit excited to see the game. I’ve started to miss basketball lately, and because of Arion, I have a plan as to what I’ll say if anyone asks where I’ve been.
“So, this is it,” Anthony says, pointing to his modern home.
“I love it! Is the ocean on the other side?”