Page 64 of Fast Break
But I dutifully sit on the outdoor sofa and watch as JT manages to make playing basketball solo look like a skill in itself, ignoring the way my body heats up for him like it always does.
JT comes to sit by me after a bit, a light sheen of sweat on his forehead and his purely masculine scent absorbing me.
“Thank you,” he says, serious for the moment. “I’ve never had my own basketball hoop.” I am somehow dismayed yet not surprised by this information, but I try not to let it show.
“Well now you do,” I tell him, pecking a quick kiss to his lips.
“Should we go work on our science project?” JT suggests.
“Aw look at you, growing up so fast,” I gush which has him rolling his eyes at me.
“A certain part of me is growing up really fast so the sooner we get this homework done, the sooner he can come out and play with you.”
“Mmm. What did you do with my shy boy?” I return as he pulls me to my feet, his grin making me smile.
“You bought him a basketball hoop and he went insane.”
“I’ll buy you a hundred more in that case.” We just grin at each other, both of us lost in whatever this is between us. JT looks away first.
“Oh um, I forgot to mention,” he begins, eyes on the ground as he scuffs his shoe on the paver. “My uncle and aunt wanted to know if you would come around for a family barbecue on Saturday at their place?” He sounds nervous and I grin internally as I reach out to hold his hand.
“I’m assuming your parents won’t be there?”
“Oh heck no,” he replies, eyes on me. “Just the cool Sterlings only.”
“I’d love to come meet the cool Sterlings,” I tell him, watching as his smile takes over his face.
“Good cos my grandma is going crazy that she hasn’t seen you yet.”
“Tell her she can look at me all she wants on Saturday.”
“Thank you,” he smiles, sucking on his lower lip. “You’re honestly the best.”
***
JT’s ‘cool’ family are an absolute riot. I see where Trey gets his exuberant personality from because they are pretty much all like that and it’s kind of overwhelming at first. JT is the quietest one of the lot and that’s saying something because he’s really not all that quiet in comparison to most people.
I’ve already met Alec, and he introduces me to his wife, Billie, who gushes over me and JT as he stands clasping onto my hand like his life depends on it. I’m cognisant of the fact this is the first time he’s let anyone else into our little private bubble and I squeeze his hand reassuringly before he shoots me a smile.
JT’s grandma, Jean Sterling, is the sweetest woman ever with her silver hair and knowing smile which I discover is a very clever cover for her cheeky personality. She pulls JT into a hug, eyes on me as she says loudly enough for everyone in proximity to hear, “Well done, grandson. You’ve brought us home a real stud.”
JT’s cheeks flame pink as he snorts out a laugh before introducing me to his grandma and his grandpa, Joe. We sit down to eat the barbecue around the outdoor table while JT’s grandparents pretend to grill me about my intentions and JT pleads with them to be nice.
“I think we’re being very nice,” Grandma Jean huffs after I’ve told her about growing up with just my mum around.
“You should probably know that Quinn is the smartest person in our year level,” JT adds loyally. “He’s planning on going to law school next year.”
“Is that so?” Grandpa Joe mulls, eyeing me from the other side of the table. “What on earth are you doing with our scallywag grandson in that case?”
The whole table erupts in laughter while JT looks on with indignation on his face and I slide a hand onto his thigh.
“I think they like me,” I say, loud enough for everyone to hear.
“You’re doing great,” he returns, just as loud. “Just don’t make them like you more than they like me.”
“Try going to law school and maybe you’ll move up a notch,” Grandpa Joe adds with a wink at JT.
“Did JT tell you that he and Trey are being scouted by one of the local NBL1 teams?” Alec cuts in, naming the second-tier national competition that sits under the top level NBL. I’m pretty sure that’s a big deal.
