Page 36 of I Want to Know What Love Is

“What? Not us. Aren’t we supposed to be in training.” I laugh, trying to deflect the invitation and she laughs with me. “How’s the team looking this year? You going to be the top scorer as advertised?” Her face lights up and she launches into her assessment of the team and her improvement in shooting the longer shots.

“Coach Lake has us doing foul shot drills. It’s ridiculous.” She rolls her eyes. I’m surprised at my flinch at one minor disparaging remark. Fuck. What’s that about? I force a smile.

“Gotta put in the time, do the drills, play the plays to get the stats and be the star.”

“What is that?” she laughs. “You practicing lines for the press.” I shake my head.

“Nah. I stole the line. Social Media.” She laughs.

“You’re slick, Jo—Dylan. And—”

“Who are you here with?” I wave in the direction of her group of girls. Of course they’re all watching us and look away as soon as I turn to them. She waves at them.

“Some girls from my house.”

“Teammates?”

“No. I don’t hang around with the team much.”

“Why not?” I’m interested and dismayed. “I always say a team that plays together—” she rolls her eyes at me and puts up her hands.

“You’re captain and you’re like, Mr. Popular. It’s different for you.” I nod. I’m starting to get the picture of what’s what with Emily. She’s a little lost and I think Amanda has some work to do off the court with her.

“Hey Dylan.” It’s Shelby calling and waving to me.

“I gotta go, Emily. Good seeing you.” I smile and leave before she can do more than say see ya later.

Returning to Shelby and Heather, I yawn twice before I can finish thanking him for calling me away.

“No problem. She looked more interested than you did.”

“She’s a nice girl. A little lost.” I yawn again. “I gotta go to bed. Get some sleep before I fall. See you two later.”

“You do look tired,” Heather says, her concern looks genuine.

“Don’t worry about him, sweetheart. I never run out of energy.” She turns back to Shelby and I decide I owe him my first born. Unless he’s really as into her as he seems. Then he owes me.

Managing to slip out the back door near the corner where we’re standing, I don’t stop walking until I get to my bed. After grabbing the heating pad which is always at the ready, I put it on my shoulder and shut my eyes.

The Amanda Lake show begins in full color on the back of my eyelids, in my dreams, and is still on my mind when I wake in the morning.

Chapter Sixteen

Amanda

The smell of coffee wakes me and I jump from bed with a smile because my sister is here and she’s taking care of me as usual. As I throw on a T-shirt and gym shorts, not bothering to brush my hair—though I do brush my teeth—I rush downstairs hoping we’ll have a chance to talk alone about her idea of a prince charming, what’s his name.

“There you are. I was going to go upstairs and wake you in another ten minutes.” She hands me a cup of coffee and I glance at the oven clock.

“Shit. Ten a.m. I never sleep this late. What happened to Paul? He’s usually a reliable alarm clock.”

“I figured that, so I had the guys take him out for a walk. Knowing how hard you work, I thought you could sleep in this one morning.” I roll my eyes and take a big sip from the mug that says SPU in block letters.

“Don’t get any ideas about me getting you a special birthday present just because you’re being nice.” She laughs and sits, motioning me to join her, so I do.

“So? What do you think?”

“What do you think I think?”