“So how are you? Really?” he asks before taking a bite.
“Honestly, the basketball side of life is incredible.”
“Obviously.” He smiles.
“We’re definitely going to be in the playoffs, with a chance for the championship.”
“Everything good with your teammates? They’re cool?”
I relax a fraction more. It’s nice to have a friend that I trust as much as Jack.
“Yeah, now the vibe is as solid as it was at UConn. Jumping in with everyone had little bumps at first but that’s normal.”
He smiles. “It’s got to be an adjustment for sure. What a year for you, though. Everything you wanted. I’m happy for you, Aves.”
“Thank you.” I grin back at him. “It’s not enough though. I’ve gotta stay focused on raising my game even more, plus helping the team win the championship.”
“Just make sure you stop to smell the roses.”
A shiver goes through me. He has no clue how apt that phrase is this weekend.
“Yeah.”
He brushes his hands off, having finished the danish.
“And this thing with Rawley? It’s going okay?” He picks up his coffee to take a sip.
“It’s…going.”
He pauses with his mug in midair. “That doesn’t sound great.”
I can’t tell him the truth, so I share a vague version. “I just don’t know that it’s leading anywhere long term.”
“Huh, okay, well, that tracks.” His tone is light, like a tease.
“What do you mean?”
“It’s the same as it was with us. We’re not really in a time in our lives where a serious relationship is a priority.”
“Yeah.” I agree to be agreeable, and leave it there. I’m sure Jack doesn’t want to talk about my “boyfriend” today.
But now I’m chewing on what he said because it doesn’t sit right. That'snothow I feel about Rawley.
Jack drives the rest of the conversation, giving me updates on our mutual UConn friends. They only graduated a few weeks ago, but it feels like it’s been a lifetime since the draft.
When we part ways forty-five minutes later, it’s like saying goodbye to a long-time friend. Comfortable.
Still, I can’t help but think of how different this weekend would’ve ended up a few months ago. I would’ve planned to come to his apartment after all my obligations were done, and then fallen into his bed.
Yet, right now I don’t feel even the slightest pull to do that.At all.
I feel no attraction to Jack, a man who I’ve been with countless times.
There’s affection as a friend, sure. Nothing physical though.
Nothing like the chemistry I have with Rawley.
Crap.
