Page 65 of Fast Break
“No, JT did not tell me this news,” I reply, eyes on a suddenly quiet JT.
“I forgot in the excitement of winning our quarter final. And it’s not like we have an offer or anything,” JT replies.
“I’m happy for you either way. You two definitely deserve it,” I say.
“They do cause a whole lot of trouble when they’re out on court together,” Grandma Jean adds. “Always have done though so that’s hardly a shock.”
“The Sterling Double Trouble,” Archie hollers in a very loud voice which makes us all laugh again.
“Someone must have overheard me saying that because I’ve been calling them that for years,” chuffs Jean.
“But you love us, Grandma,” Trey returns, batting his lashes at her.
“Occasionally you shock and do something mildly good,” she shrugs.
“So,” JT says, turning to me. “This is my family. Please still like me.”
We all laugh again. I just grin and pick up JT’s hand, pressing a kiss to his knuckles which makes him bite on his lip while Billie gushes from the other side of the table.
We all help pack away after the meal and then I find myself sitting beside JT’s grandma while he and his three cousins start a game of basketball on the backyard court. It looks like they’ve done this a million times before and I watch on with a smile on my face as the younger cousins demand JT and Trey be split up.
“He’s a good boy,” Grandma Jean says softly, eyes trained on JT.
“I know,” I tell her.
“He needs someone to keep an eye on him,” she continues, eyes not leaving her grandson. “He’s been very sheltered. Never had to live in the real world before. He’s never been allowed. I think he needs you in his life a lot more than either of you realise.”
“I plan on being there for him,” I reply.
“You seem like a good sort, Quinn. I’m glad JT found you. Makes me worry a whole lot less about him—in some ways at least. You’ve certainly thrown a spanner in the works if you don’t mind me saying but I do mean that in a good way.”
I don’t know why but I love having Grandma Jean’s approval. It means all the more to me knowing I won’t have it from JT’s immediate family, but it still makes me happy.
We watch the basketball game unfold which seems to be more of an occasion to spout friendly insults at each other while occasionally playing actual basketball, but I find myself smiling, seeing JT in his natural environs. The Dukes had a bye last night on account of their quarter final win so I expect JT needs the athletic outlet. And I certainly don’t mind watching.
JT leaves the game at some point and comes and sits a lot closer to me on the couch than I expected, reaching out a shy hand to thread through my fingers.Oh. I feel thatthingthud deep in my chest as he sends me that sweetest of his smiles.
We spend the whole afternoon at Alec and Billie’s home and it’s with some regret when it’s time to leave. Grandma Jean calls JT over to where she is sitting with Billie and shoves an envelope into his hand.
“What’s this?” he asks.
“That will cover you to sit your driver’s license test,” she tells him in a no-nonsense tone. “I know Quinn’s been giving you lessons.”
“I can’t expect you to pay for that,” JT replies.
“Of course you can. You’re my grandson,” she says, somewhat indignantly.
“Thank you, Grandma,” JT just answers, folding her into a hug. He looks across at me and I note the sheen in his eyes, but we don’t look away. I love that he shows his feelings to me. It makes me feel special and like I’ve done something good to deserve having JT look at me the way he does. I don’t ever plan on taking that for granted.
CHAPTER 23
jt
It’s game night and I am feeling a mixture of nerves and excited energy. Our archnemesis, the Southside Devils, made it into the grand final against us, but as we are the higher ranked team we have the home court advantage.
The stadium is packed with our friends and family in a sea of silver and navy, and I’ve already spotted quite a few of the school staff in the stands. Even Mr Peters is sitting there beside Mr Allan, waving a school pompom, and I try not to choke on a laugh.
I’m out on court running drills, but my attention keeps drifting to the stands where I spot Quinn squeezing through the crowd to take a seat beside my grandparents and Trey’s family. But happy as I am to see Quinn, I am completely floored to see Amy right beside him, gently guiding an older woman with a shock of white hair. I can only assume this is Quinn’s gran.
