Page 108 of Long Time Coming

Holding the water bottle at his side, he says, “Fuck you, man. Go find another court.”

He flips me off, then squirts water in his mouth.

“No. We will either take this out on the court or take it off the courts and get it all out. Your choice.”

He comes closer, looking me up and down like the sight of me pisses him off. “You don’t get to make the rules. You’re the one who fucked up by fucking my sister.”

“Dammmnnnn,” another player says, holding his fist to his mouth. “That’s dark, man.”

I don’t even know who this dude is. “I don’t need the commentary. Thanks.” Baylor is tossed a basketball, which he starts dribbling in beside him. That he’s even listening is progress. “We’ve invested thirty years into this friendship. You ready to let it go? Because it’s in your hands.” Crossing my arms over my chest, I ask, “What’s it going to be, Greene?”

He eyes me over his chin, then tosses the basketball to another player. “Fine, we’ll talk outside the courts.” He grabs his stuff and heads for the exit.

I follow, giving him the space I think he needs. He takes a left and heads for some benches where spectators sit. Sitting on opposite ends, we still take up most of the bench. I rest my forearms on my knees and watch the games being played before us. “I should have talked to you.”

He looks over at me. “And say what? You want to sleep with my sister? Not sure that approach would be any better.” He returns his gaze to the courts. But then he sits back and says, “I heard what you told my dad.” He looks at me. When I look at him, I nod. “You love her?”

“I’m in love with her.”

“Why?”

“What do you mean why?”

“What is it about her that you fell in love with?”

“Oh, um.” I glance at the sky. I know the answers, but I just don’t know if he wants to hear them. He’s asking for a reason, so I’ll respect him enough to honestly respond. “She’s funny and smart. She knows who she is and doesn’t hide it.” I close my eyes and see her face in my head, her sitting in the wildflowers, staying with her horse during the storm, her hair splayed over the pillows of our place in the barn. “She knows how to fix an irrigation system and make a killer peach pie.” I look over at him, lowering my voice. “She’s beautiful inside and out.”

“She’s just like my mother. It’s like looking at Mom sometimes.”

“She has her strength and determination, her dad’s easygoing nature, and her brother’s charisma.”

“That’s all I get? Charisma.” He rolls his eyes and chuckles. “It’s a start, so I’ll take it.”

“She rolls her eyes like you just did.” I glance between the game on the court in front of us and then at him again. “You guys are more alike than you realize. She’s got your sense of humor?—”

“My humor is in the gutter.”

I shrug. “Point proven.”

“Jesus. I don’t want to know that shit about my sister.” But the smile on his face tells me he’s not too bothered. He looks over at me once more, and asks, “Have you told her all that?”

“Give or take.” I take a few seconds to breathe, then add, “She loves hard and gives all of herself to the people she cares about, but let me tell you what opened my eyes to the woman she’s become.” He’s staring at me, but a lump forms in my throat. I push through and swallow it down. “Seeing her with my son. That changed everything for me.”

“And made you break your promise.”

“I’m sorry about that.”

“We were stupid kids. Twelve years was a good run, but I never should have made you agree to it. It was about then. I never thought about the future. But I have had a lot of thoughts about that lately. My best friend marrying my sister might not be the worst-case scenario. I mean, we’re already like brothers.” He stands up and holds out his hand. I stand while shaking it. Bringing me in for a shoulder bump, he says, “Promise me you’ll never hurt her.”

I chuckle, feeling we’ve come full circle. “I promise. I love her so much that it hurts to be apart.”

I’m given another eye roll. “Fine, we’re friends again even if you did take a cheap shot and punch me in the face.”

“Sorry about that, but it was either you or me and?—”

“I’m in a different headspace now, but I do owe you one.”

He’s not going to do it, but I can go with the flow on this one. “Sure, if it will make you feel better.”

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