Page 65 of Over Time Advantage

“Kennedy,” I warn as I scratch my head. “Let’s change the topic.” Fuck, why am I so awkward? “Tell me about basketball.” It was always the one thing we could effortlessly talk about.

Her face lights up. “I’m working hard on my vertical. I’ve never been able to dunk and desperately want to. You know I’m a little undersized for the position I play.”

She’s a power forward and is, in fact, undersized at about six feet one inch.

“Theoretically, but you play bigger than you are,” I assure her.

She smiles. “Thanks, but I want to dunk. Our team is good. Really good. I think we have a chance at winning it all this year. It’s some of these small things that make the difference. I want to contribute even more.”

“You’re the reason Sulley was so successful last year. That’s a fact. Your rebounding, defensive play, and ability to help her get open are the reasons she won rookie of the year.”

She uncharacteristically lowers her eyes, almost as if not believing the compliment. “That’s what Sulley says, but she still had to sink all those threes.”

“Threes that were uncontested because of you. They’re much easier to drain when a defender isn’t in your face.”

She shrugs. “I guess I’m pretty awesome, aren’t I?”

I chuckle. “Always have been. When do real practices start?” I know right now the practices aren’t team sanctioned. It’s just the girls getting together to shoot around.

“Right after we get back from Vegas in a few weeks. I’m looking forward to it.”

Just then, I hear a key in her front door. It opens, and Pierce’s best friend, Rooster, walks in. What the hell?

“Rooster? What are you doing at Kennedy’s apartment?” I ask. “Why do you have a key?”

“He’s my intern,” Kennedy announces proudly.

“Intern?” I question.

He nods. “Yes, I help Queen Jeffries with scheduling, laundry, apartment cleaning, food shopping, picking up her dry cleaning, and then I help at practices with things like fresh towels and water.”

“Why do you call her Queen Jeffries?”

Kennedy smirks. “That’s what I told him to call me. And I call him Booster because sometimes I’m not sure he can see over the steering wheel when he’s chauffeuring me around.”

I bite back my smile. Rooster is very short. Even when they were little boys, Pierce towered over him.

“Queen, should I start your laundry?”

She nods. “Yes please. Don’t forget to separate out my delicates this time. You ruined my favorite thong last week. I had to go commando the other night.”

He hangs his head in shame. “I’m sorry, Queen. I’ll buy you a new pair.”

“Not necessary,” she responds. “Just be careful moving forward.”

He disappears into her bedroom before reemerging moments later with a laundry basket. He then exits the apartment as if it’s totally normal for him to be doing her laundry.

She shakes her head. “Good help is so hard to find.”

I stare at her in disbelief. “Explain.”

She twists her lips. “I met Booster at Pierce’s football game. They both begged me to hire him as an intern. He thinks it will be good for his résumé.”

I sigh. “He probably just wants to hang around an attractive woman.”

“What?” she laughs. “Booster’s gay, Dad. How do you not know that?”

I run my fingers through my hair. “Fuck, I had no clue. My gaydar sucks. I need to work on that.”