Page 11 of Hush

Garrett’s teammates grabbed the rebound. Ben’s team ran down to the other end of the court for defense. Garrett was right on Ben’s heels. “You could have written your ticket to anywhere.”

“It’s a good job, a good opportunity,” Ben replied, trying to keep his voice steady.

Garrett snorted.

Ben stuck to Garrett for defense. His teammate passed him the ball, and the two bumped down toward the hoop.

“If I find out you’re really some quack in disguise,” Garrett said. “I’m going to crush you like a bug.”

Ben’s stomach plummeted. Garrett seemed to sense he’d hit his target because he faked a pass, then swiveled in a hook shot. Realizing he’d been duped too late, Ben tried to block it. Instead, he slapped Garrett’s arm. The ref blew his whistle, and Garrett lined up for his two free throws.

Ben cursed himself. Garrett wouldn’t have made the hook shot—he had deliberately provoked Ben to draw the foul, which provided him with an opportunity to make an easy two points.

“Nothin’ but net,” Garrett crowed, sneering after sinking both shots and tying the game. As per tournament rules, a team had to win by only one point, and with two minutes left, the energy on the court intensified.

Though Garrett didn’t say anything else, Ben felt rattled. He tried to get his head back in the game, but he missed a perfectly good jumper and let a rebound go to an opponent.

“C’mon, Ben,” Kelly said as they broke down the court for defense.

Ben forced his mind to refocus. He took Garrett again as he dribbled fast for the hoop. Garrett passed the ball, but Kelly intercepted. All six players rushed down court in a fast break, Kelly leading, his legs pumping hard for the net. He lifted into the air for a layup, but a member of the opposing team had caught up and jumped to block it. The ball soared too high, and it bounced off the board. Ben sprinted to grab the rebound with Garrett at his side. Both men leapt up, but Garrett was in better position.

Ben reached for the ball and grabbed it simultaneously, landing with his and Garrett’s hands still on it. Garrett sent a knee into Ben’s thigh. Ben grunted in pain, trying to pull back on the ball, but Garrett wrenched it free and took off down the court. Ben tried to catch up, but the exchange happened so fast he had the entire end of the court to himself and easily made the layup. Kelly and Mark grabbed the rebound and tried to get off a shot before the buzzer, but it sounded before they could get in range.

Breaths heaving, Ben and his teammates walked back to the center to shake hands with their opponents. “Good game, Doctor,” Garrett said, squeezing his hand harder than necessary.

“Do you always cheat to get what you want?” Ben asked, unable to hold back his anger.

But his remark did nothing to wipe the satisfied smirk off Garrett’s face.

Elise

Caitlin honked, and Elise glanced one more time in the mirror. She had debated the “hair up/hair down” dilemma until it was too late to pin it, so it hung in soft brown curls around her shoulders. The invitation didn’t say anything about a dress code, but her black winter wool dress could pass for casual or cocktail attire with the wraparound front and soft tie that fell from her hip. She adjusted one of her gold hoop earrings, then tightened her coat sash and grabbed her purse, her heels clicking on the linoleum as she swept through the door and locked it behind her.

Inside Caitlin’s car, heat enveloped her like a comfortable fog.

“You smell good,” Caitlin said as she buckled in. “Is that a new perfume?”

“Nope,” Elise replied. “Hair gel.”

Leaning in playfully to her neck, Caitlin sniffed.

Giggling, Elise pushed her back.

“Remind me again who the hosts are?” Caitlin asked as they backed down Elise’s driveway.

A flutter of nerves shivered through her stomach. “A friend from my gym. I guess she and her boyfriend throw a big party every year. Ugly sweater contest, carolers, the whole shebang.”

“I’m always honored to accompany you, but I still think the dating site is worth trying.”

Elise peered out the window at the quiet, snowy streets. “It just makes me feel like I’m spying on them.”

“They’re spying on you, so it’s mutual.”

“I guess,” Elise said. She did not tell Caitlin she had removed her profile. It was too risky. What if someone she knew found out?

“How’s Jaden?” Caitlin asked, eyeing the navigation app open on Elise’s phone for guidance.

“I talked to him a little while ago.” She huffed a breath of air, which fogged up the side window. “Though, get this,” she added. “Garrett left him today with Poppy while he played in some basketball tournament.”

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