Page 85 of Drop Shot
“Anytime. Anywhere.” Do I sound as desperate as I feel?
“I’ll … um … keep that in mind.”
I grin and tuck an errant piece of hair behind her ear. “You do that.”
Clearing her throat, she says, “Now elevate your knee, again. You’re stressing me out.”
I mock salute her. “Yes, ma’am.” I settle fully onto the couch and prop my leg up on the table in front of me. “I think I like it when you’re bossy.”
She rolls her eyes. “You’re so weird.”
“Yeah, but youlikeme.”
She shakes her head but doesn’t argue. My ego she likes to talk about so much doubles.
CHAPTER 27
WHIMSY
“What doyou mean you missed your flight?” Ebba shrieks into her phone, pausing on the sidewalk. I quickly pull her to the side and stand with her.
Elias left early this morning to see the physical therapist and have his first practice back after his injury if he gets the go ahead. I’m glad the injury wasn’t a major one, but I still worry about the possibility of him being on it too soon even if I know his team knows what they’re doing.
“Keaton.” Ebba pinches the bridge of her nose. “You’re supposed to be here tonight. I haven’t seen you inweeks.” She gets quiet, listening to whatever he’s saying. “In the morning? Are you sure?”
She takes a deep breath, but she can’t do anything to rid the annoyance from her eyes. “Please, just get here. I miss you.”
He says something else and she hangs up with a mumbled, “Love you.” Turning to me, she huffs, “Men are so stupid.”
“Tell me something I don’t know,” I laugh.
“I can’t believe he missed his flight.” She shakes her head as we start down the street again. “You’re a grown man—how do you sleep through your alarm?”
I press my lips together in an effort hold back the words I want to say—like the fact that I don’t think Keaton cares all that much about her and probably doesn’t want to come.
“Accidents happen,” I say instead.
A small cry from Ebba has my eyes widening in surprise. I rarely see her show that kind of emotion.
“Hey,” I say softly, tugging her to the side once more. “What’s wrong?”
She sniffles, turning her face toward the sky like she can use gravity to keep the tears inside. “Why am I never any good for the men I fall for? Why am I not worth sacrificing their time for? Why don’t they want to be with me?”
Ebba’s pain, written so plainly on her face, makes my own stomach hurt. I don’t like seeing her like this, but she’s justified in her annoyance. Keaton always has an excuse to not show up for her.
“There’s nothing wrong with you.” I hastily brush her tears away before they can ruin her makeup. I know she’d hate that. “Some men … they’re not worth our time.”
She sighs, wrapping her arms around herself. “You’re right. He says he’ll be here tomorrow, though.”
She looks at me with so much hope that I hate to burst her bubble. Maybe he’ll come, maybe he won’t, but even if he does come chances are he’ll ignore her the majority of the time.
My fingers find her hand and I give it a tiny squeeze. “And if he’s not?” I feel like I have to ask the question.
“Then maybe it’s time to cut him loose,” she sighs. “Why do I pick the worst guys ever? I see the way my brother looks at you.” I have to bite my tongue not to blurt out the fact that he’s acting. “I wantthat. No guy … well … never mind.”
“Fisher?” I prompt and she nods.
“He looked at me like I was his whole world, but … it was a secret, you know?”
