“Not that I was eavesdropping, but I’m assuming your gram isn’t the reason you missed 10 shots. That would leave someone called Ashley?”
Megan raised a curved eyebrow. Candice was observant.Almost too much, Megan thought.
“Ashley’s a friend from New York.”
“Oh, so she’s the reason you’re not openly looking to date anyone?” Candice teased.
“Not at all. As I said, she’s a friend.” Megan tried to be convincing, but the avoidance of eye contact said otherwise.
Candice rolled her eyes and gathered her things. With the gym bag over one arm and the basketball under her other she walked towards Megan and kissed her softly on the cheek.
“If she’s just a friend, then maybe we could go out sometime. Let me know.”
Megan’s head was slightly down-turned, but she held eye contact the whole time as she watched Candice saunter towards the exit. The way she walked reminded her of Ashley; their body type and facial features were similar, the slim athletic build and even down to the blonde hair, although Candice’s had a natural curl which gave it more volume. Megan shook her head. The thoughts of Ashley were unnecessary. The extent of their romantic relationship had been minimal, not enough to warrant the sporadic comparison of her features.
***
Megan arrived home two hours later. The drive from Manchester to York was roughly seventy miles—a journey she made two or three times a week. The organisation offered to put her up in a local apartment with another girl from the team, which she happily accepted, but whenever she had a day off, she would go back home. There was nothing like home comforts. Her career left her often wondering when the next move would be, so she made a conscious effort to enjoy her parent’s company as often as her schedulewould allow.
The journey had been a blessing in disguise. She took the time to assess her emotions. The playlist she chose seemed to match her every mood. The lyrics from the songs helped determine what it was she felt. She cranked up the volume to Beyoncé’s ‘I Miss You’—she connected with the words like she never had before. In her college days, the song was simply another song that she liked to sing along to. Now, as she drove with nothing but her thoughts for the first time, she really listened to the lyrics and what they were trying to convey.
The driveway leading up to the house was the part she enjoyed the most. The house was spectacular and her parents had done renovation after renovation over the years to make it into a beautiful family home. They refused to downsize, despite the fact it was just the two of them taking up a five-bedroom house. The drive, however, brought the fondest memories. Megan was immersed in a feeling of belonging whenever her tyres hit the gravel. The house had been subject to her coming and going over the years and although she had changed and grown up, it still maintained the same character and charm, reminiscent of that when shewas younger.
It was late, too late to go to the stable and see Fred, she noted. The temptation was there, but he was getting older and the thought of disturbing his sleep didn’t feel right. The house was quiet, as expected—her father would be sound asleep. Michael Davis preferred to go to sleep early and wake up early. The routine became a habit throughout his basketball career, regardless of his retirement six years ago. Before the rest of the world was awake, he would have two hours’ worth of training under his belt, an abundance of email responses and the rest of his day plannedaccordingly.
As Megan entered the kitchen/dining area, she noticed her mother perched in the corner on the burgundy-red chesterfield armchair. It had no business being in a room that was purely decorated in light, grey colours, but that’s what Amanda loved about it.
“Hey,baby girl.”
“Hey, Mom.” Megan walked over and placed a kiss on her cheek.
“I’m so glad you decided to come back tonight. It means we get the whole day tomorrow.”
“I know, me too. I’m so thirsty, do you haveany juice?”
“In the fridge.” Amanda pointed.
Megan glanced at the tablet in her mom’s lap. “What are you reading?”
“It’s the article about your gram and Christopher, have you read it yet?”
“No, she only told me a few hours ago. I’ll take a look tonight.”
“It’s really good. Your friend’s incredibly talented.”
“I know she is,” Megan said matter-of-factly.
There was no doubt in her mind that she would read the article and fall in love with Ashley’s words. She had seen snippets early on, and when she was asked about her opinion, there was always very little critique. Megan didn’t know a lot about writing, but the emotional rollercoaster she experienced spoke volumes.
Amanda laughed out loud unexpectedly. “This part here where she says,‘if you are my soulmate that would really move things along nicely’.You can tell her from me, I laughed at several points and teared up in the middle. It was reallysomething.”
They didn’t even know her and they found her hilarious.How was she supposed to pretend like she had no romantic feelings at all?
“I haven’t spoken to her much lately, but when I do, I’ll let her know.”
“Have youfallen out?”
“No.”
