Page 59 of No Place Like Home

“We have nothing to talk about. Take Simba and leave.”

I was going to miss the dog, and I wanted to say goodbye to him properly, but not at the moment. Not with this audience.

“Is this because of the kiss?”

Shit. Shit. Shit.

“Wait, what kiss?” Clark asked, suddenly finding our conversation interesting.

I groaned.

“Are you trying to get fresh with my niece?”

Oh, no. Oh, no, no, no. No.

I turned around and started to push Clark toward his car.

“Not a word to anyone!” I hissed through gritted teeth.

“You hurt my niece, and I will beat you up.”

I rolled my eyes. Clark was no match compared to Quincy. Clark gave me a one-sided hug, then as soon as he was in his car, he started to use the phone.

Great, I just knew he was texting Jake.

I was never,everliving this down.

CHAPTERSEVENTEEN

Since my accident,I couldn’t remember when the last time I’d felt this much joy. It wasn’t that I was making fun of Jess or her discomfort that made me grin. It was the way she was going to great lengths to avoid me.

No one ever wanted to avoid me.

I wish I could say it was her kiss that made me have an epiphany and realize I was throwing my life away, but that was not the case.

Gavin and Scarlett were not done butting into my life. Shortly after Jess left, Nick—Scarlett’s brother and one of my old coaches—visited me.

He basically told me the same thing Jess had said to me, but with a lot less anger and more compassion. He loved the game, but due to his diabetes, he could never pursue it, so he did the next best thing: coach.

I might get better, or my career was done for, but I would never know unless I tried. So I got in contact with the rehab coach my doctor had recommended. I knew at fourteen that going pro was within my reach, and now I had more means than I had back then.

After my head was cleared, that kiss kept replaying. Mainly the fact that it was with Jess, because I’ve known her a long time, and she never crossed my mind like that.

Okay, fuck, that was a lie. When I came to visit, Ididsee her in a new light, but when I went back to my life, she got overshadowed by shiny new toys and I lost sight of it.

I observed as Jess watched Clark drive away. Finally, Simba came and stood next to me, the tip of his wet nose brushing against the palm of my hand.

“You taking care of her, boy?” I asked my dog, since I knew Cubbie was out of town again.

“Well, you got your dog. You can leave now,” Jess said as she walked past me and ran inside, slamming the door before I could stop her.

“Jess, open the door!” I yelled.

“Go away!” She responded.

“Simba needs his bowl!” I lied. I could easily replace it.

Jess didn’t open the door right away. I was beginning to think she’d told my dog and me to fuck off, but then I heard the knob start to turn. She opened the door just wide enough that she could give me the water and food bowls.

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