I can’t believe it’s been nine months since the ink was dry on our divorce and I’mstillthinking about Andre! He lied. He cheated. He stole from me. And yet I’m the one spiraling in the middle of what’s essentially a block party. I could’ve had a kid in the same amount of time; thank God we never madethatmistake. Andre is the gift that keeps on giving and further proof I need to stay far away from serious relationships right now. Until further notice, no one has to be stuck with these gloomy thoughts but me.
I refocus on the festive event around me, lying to myself that I’m not looking for Damon the whole time. The long line for pretzels is a welcome distraction.
Jeremiah isn’t really my nephew. He’s my mom’s brother’s kid and one of the few ties I have to her side of the family. Apparently, she tried to go home first, thinking they might understand her decision to leave us. But when they kept pressuring her to go back, to be the mom and wife she promised to be, she cut them off too, disappearing without a trace.Good riddance.
I assumed no one would want anything to do with my dad and me after my mom’s vanishing act, but they always stood by me, especially my Uncle Cordell. He took me to the Bronx Zoo when Dad was in the thick of his depression. He picked me up when I called to get away from one of Dad’s new wives. Heignored me when I told him he didn’t have to keep coming over and sending cards; that he should go be with hisrealfamily.
Uncle Cordell is a quiet, contemplative man, but I could tell he had to rein in his temper when I said that. To him, Iwasfamily, even if my mom wasn’t around. Even if his son, Jeremiah, was young enough to be my nephew—hence the title. Even if adolescent me yelled hurtful things to drive him away. He never budged. He was steady like that; the opposite of my dad.
And Aunt Meredith—his wife, and a trauma nurse—never minded when I showed up unannounced on their doorstep. Even when I accidentally woke her up from sleeping off a double shift. She’d just smile, open the door, and put on a pot of chamomile tea to go with the world’s best chocolate chip cookies. Unfortunately, her hectic schedule means I don’t know her nearly as well.
Finally at the front of the line, I order two pretzels, two Cokes, and caramel-flavored cotton candy. I make my way to where Jeremiah found seats—right behind the players’ bench for the Centerpoint team—and accidentally lock eyes with Mr. Tall, Dark & Handsome himself.
I bite my lip. He looksgood. His button-down is rolled up, displaying the tattoos on his forearms. They’re peeking out from beneath the collar of his shirt too, and I involuntarily moisten my lips, remembering what it felt like to lick each one. He’s wearing navy khakis that hug a powerful butt and thighs, and holding a clipboard to complete the coach look.
Just friends. Just friends. Just friends, I chant to myself. I’ve only been here a few minutes and I’m already slipping. He makes his way to me, his eyes never leaving mine. There’s something in them. Possessiveness, maybe? Either way, no good can come from acknowledging it.
“Hi, Kendra.” He gives me an awkward pat on the back. “I wasn’t sure you’d make it.”
“I told you I would,” I reply.Does he think I would call myself his friend and not come to his big event?“Besides, it’s my turn. You came to every single one ofmyevents.”
His cheeks redden, but he says nothing.
“This,” I gesture to Jeremiah, “is my cousin, Jeremiah. He was dying to see the man I can’t stop gabbing about in action.”
I press my lips together before I let loose any more truths. I wasn’t supposed to let him know I’ve been talking about him. Possibly obsessing…
Damon extends his hand.
“Nice to meet you, Jeremiah.” Damon’s smile for my cousin is much less strained than the one he gave me, and Jeremiah returns it without hesitation. “I hope we give you a good show today. My team is just about ready to come out, so let’s talk more after.”
“Yeah, cool,” Jeremiah mumbles. He’s not the most confident or outspoken, but I can tell he’s excited. Playing basketball is one of the ways he comes out of his shell.
The girls in the spray-painted shirts are a step troupe after all, shaking the stands with their loud stomps and getting the crowdon their feet. I stick to a one-two step since I’ve got two left feet for anything other than walking the runway.
“Gooood afternoon, everyone, and welcome to Centerpoint High’s inaugural homecoming exhibition game!” The crowd cheers before quieting down to hear the emcee.
“The Centerpoint Eagles almost got Brooklyn to state last year, but they need our help to put them over the top. Any donations from today’s game will go towards new equipment, updated uniforms, and even bringing out scouts for our talented seniors!” The crowd roars again.
“The team at WHXR will sweeten the pot even further by matching every donation that comes in today, whether in person or using the fundraising link here.” He points to the QR code printed on all signage around the court while the attendees go crazy with the news.
From the look on Damon’s face right now, WHXR’s announcement was a complete surprise. I mouthcongratulations, and he nods, dumbfounded. I’m so happy for him.
The game is a nail-biter, ultimately going to the Eagles in double overtime. The players and fans rush the court. I’ve been smiling so hard for so long, my face hurts. Damon’s team douses him and the head coach with Gatorade. It’s pandemonium. You’dthink this was the championship instead of a friendly exhibition game.
“Holy shit!” Jeremiah shouts over the deafening cheers. I don’t even bother correcting him for cursing; the game wasthatgood. He grabs my hand and drags me over to Damon, his eager steps forcing me to jog to keep up.
“Jer, wait up!” I call out, but I’m sure he can’t hear me.
“Oh my God, coach! That game was amazing! Please tell me you’re running a clinic next summer. Ineedto be there!”
Damon stoops down to answer my cousin.
“I will most definitely be running a clinic, and it might be bigger and better than ever thanks to Centerpoint. I’d love to have you.”
Jeremiah beams, bouncing so much, he nearly lifts off the ground. I give Damon a rueful grin, and he hides his snicker in a cough. No one can say Jeremiah isn’t passionate.
Jeremiah pesters Damon with a few more questions before he’s pulled back into the celebration by one of his players. His smile is contagious and well-deserved; today was an undisputed success. It’s the kind of day highlight reels are made of. I’m just glad I was here to see it.
