I’m good, Deke. Not offended. Hope you’re well too.

From: Deke Bishop

To: Davina Klein-Roberts

July 18

Tell me what I did wrong.

From: Davina Klein-Roberts

To: Deke Bishop

July 18

You didn’t do anything wrong. I’ve just been really busy. I’m sure you understand what that’s like.

From: Deke Bishop

To: Davina Klein-Roberts

July 18

We’re all busy. And sure, I can say I understand but do you wanna know the truth?

From: Davina Klein-Roberts

To: Deke Bishop

July 18

I always want the truth.

From: Deke Bishop

To: Davina Klein-Roberts

July 18

Truth is I think you’re bullshitting me and for someone who always wants honesty and truths, I find it ironic that you can’t return the favor. So tell me what I did wrong, D.

TWENTY-SIX

DEKE

It’d been a whole day since my last email to Davina, and it was taking everything in me not to send another one.

She’d stressed thejust friendsthing every time we talked, and I accepted it for what it was, because I liked talking to her any way I could.

I couldn’t explain it, but emailing felt limited—like there was a barrier between us. Clearly I’d overstepped by asking to break through that barrier.

I only gave her my number so I could hear her voice before I broke something. After hearing about Mama and my piece-of-shit dad, it seemed like talking to her would calm me down. That was my bad for relying on a woman so wounded, though.

Because I was pissed, I ended up launching a water glass from my hotel room at the wall and breaking it to deal with the frustrations. I paid for it when I checked out.

“Bishop!” Javier chucked the basketball my way with furrowed brows. I caught it before it could hit me in the face, and the leather slammed into my palms. “Come on, man! Ken gave us the drill. What are you doing?”

Right. I was supposed to be training.