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We didn’t talk much on the drive home, but she seemed thoughtful, not sad. She and Catherine were going to grab dinner.
“Same as me, probably. She knew what to expect. But it’s different…experiencing it.”
“Can you come over later? After your weight session?”
“Yeah. I’ll be there. Totalk, right?”
She laughs. “Uh-huh. I love you.”
“I love you too.”
We hang up, and I focus on the dark road headed home. Headed toward her.
CHAPTERTHIRTY-FIVE
CASSIA
Seven Months Later
“Is there anything to basketball aside from getting the ball through the hoop?” Nova asks me, tossing some popcorn into her mouth.
“Yes.” I glance over at her. “You’re an athlete. How can you not know that?”
“I play soccer. I know soccer. What does that have to do with basketball?”
I scoff, then refocus on the court.
Tonight is the last game of Richmond’s regular season. Holden’s final season is close to coming to an end.
And they’re playing Arlington, which means Finn is here. He’s sitting on Richmond’s side wearing Arlington’s colors, which sums up Finn pretty well.
Tonight’s opponent also means the jerk in the kitchen at the Arlington party we went to, Travis Dennis, is warming up on the opposite end of the court from Holden. The dark looks Arlington is aiming at the opposite end—toward Holden in particular—make me nervous. He hasn’t lost to Arlington once in his college career. They’re the underdogs, out for blood.
I know how badly Holden wants to win.
Richmond is undefeated so far this season, a feat that has garnered a lot of interest from scouts and sports commentators alike.
I snap a photo of the packed court and send it to Sydney.
She took a leave of absence for her spring semester, opting to return to Pembrooke for the rest of her pregnancy. She’s living in the condo with Catherine, working at the high school as part of its theater department. She’s also been working at the animal shelter with Eileen for a few hours each week. Making the best of a difficult situation.
The loudspeaker crackles to life as players leave the court, headed to their respective benches to huddle up before the game actually begins.
“What’s happening now?” Nova asks.
I glance at her, not sure if she’s teasing. “You knownothingabout basketball?”
“Nothing.”
I decide to quiz her. “Do you know what traveling means?”
“Like literally? Moving from one place to another?”
I huff a laugh. “Just pay attention to the scoreboard.”
The announcer starts naming the starting players on each team. Unsurprisingly, Holden’s name receives the loudest applause.
He’s all business, talking with his coach intently before jogging onto the court.
