Page 29 of Fast Break
I hesitate. “Because he invited me and I want to go.”
“Right,” he says.
“We can hang tomorrow?” I suggest. “After training?”
“Yeah. Sure,” Trey says but he sounds disappointed, and I hate that. Trey has made life so easy for me since moving back to Evergreen and I know I owe him better than this.
“I’m sorry. About tonight. I would just feel rude if I cancelled on Quinn …”
“That’s okay, cuz. You go have fun with your new friends. Don’t worry about us.”
We hang up and I feel a pang of guilt. But then I think of Quinn and the thought of disappointing him leaves me feeling even worse so I know I’m making the right decision. Besides, it’s not like I have some formal contract that binds me to hanging out with the basketball team. I see them literally all the time. I’m allowed to have friends outside of that space. I think.
I pull my Nike LeBron’s on, pick up my phone and keys and head for the streets. Morlee didn’t have a public transport system so I’m not well versed in the process, but I manage. The bus is slow and struggles up the hills and I am subsequently late by the time I make the short walk to Quinn’s house. I steel my nerves as I take a deep breath and knock on his front door, wishing I could just be cool for once in my life.
Quinn arrives on his front doorstep and that wish dissolves into thin air. My throat tightens and I am instantly tongue-tied and completely ridiculous as he flashes that crooked smile, his dark hair swept effortlessly back from his eyes. I immediately clock the casual classiness he exudes and wish I hadn’t second guessed my black polo top after all.
“You came,” he grins.
“Course,” I say a little breathlessly which I credit to the walk from the bus stop. Obviously. He looks past me to the street.
“How did you get here?”
“Bus,” I shrug.
“You should have told me. I would have come and picked you up,” he says, a little frown on his face.
“It’s okay. I honestly don’t mind. It was actually quite thrilling for me. Besides, I don’t want to keep putting you out of your way.”
“I really don’t mind, JT,” he assures me. He knocks the door open wide in a move that should not be so freaking sexy and stands aside. “Ready for this?”
“Should I be worried?” I step up to the door, breathing him in as I slide past, instantly wrapped up in that masculine scent that is all him.
“Course not,” he replies. I wait for him to lead and follow down the hallway to the living room where three sets of eyes look up at me, a mixture of curiosity and open hostility to greet my arrival.
“Guys, I think you all know JT,” Quinn says with an ease I can only admire. “This is Benson, Eddie and Jace,” Quinn turns to me, pointing at each of his friends in turn.
“Hi,” I say, sending them an awkward wave. Benson and Eddie return the greeting, but Jace just stares pointedly at Quinn.
“So, we’re hanging out with jocks now, are we?” he mutters, loud enough for us all to hear. Quinn ignores him so I do the same, feeling only a little out of place. But I do feel the pang of unwelcome vibes, even if it’s only from Jace, so I glue myself to Quinn’s side as he moves to the kitchen. I help him empty popcorn and M&Ms into bowls and follow him as we move back to the living room. I note the absence of alcohol and weed which actually makes for a refreshing change from the guys I usually hang around with.
Quinn takes a spot on the two-seater lounge, the one we shared last weekend. I hesitate, wanting to follow him but my delay costs me when Jace casually takes the vacant spot beside Quinn. I curse under my breath. Benson is spread out across the other sofa while Eddie sits on the floor beside him so I drop into the only free seat in the single armchair.
“How was your game last night?” Eddie asks.
“Really good. We had a nice win,” I tell him.
“The Dukes must be right up the top of the table by now, yeah?” he continues.
“Yup. We’re number one right now but we still have a few weeks of the season left. Southside Devils are hot on our tails.”
“Ugh, basketball. So boring,” Jace comments. I find myself amused at his attempt to deflect attention from me.
“For you, idiot, but most of the general population like it,” Eddie cuts back in, throwing a cushion at Jace.
“Do you ever get to any games?” I ask Eddie.
“Occasionally but it’s hard when Quinn and Jace are basically allergic to sport and Benson will stick with the majority. Plus, the one time I actually made the guys come to a game Jace spent the whole time whining and then spent the second half rating the players.”
