Page 67 of The Pocket Pair

“I said I wanted to watch. Not that I couldn’t play. And now that I’ve watched, I think it’s time you step aside.” Her grin is fast and fierce, and all three boys whoop and holler insults.

But I don’t mind being the one watching. Also, I’m not sure if my lungs are functioning properly.

“Fine. Don’t go too hard on these guys.” I give her ponytail a little tug before collapsing into the seat she vacated.

Mr. Silver holds out a big plastic cup, the kind you usually get from a sports game. “Water?”

“Don’t mind if I do.”

I take a long swallow, angling the cup so I don’t miss a thing. The boys are looking about as doubtful as I did a moment ago. Val steals the ball from one of them and casually dribbles. All three tower over her, but hesitate to move closer.

“Don’t tell me you boys don’t think I can play because I’m a girl,” she says.

“No, ma’am,” all three say in unison. But their shifty gazes belie the quick response.

Val narrows her eyes and takes a lower stance, dancing back a little with the ball. “Well, come on then.”

Before any of them can respond, she darts around Brady, does a neat bounce pass to Bryan, and sinks a glorious shot when he passes it back. Brady and John just stand there, looking a little stupefied.

“Life lesson, boys,” she says, bouncing the ball to Brady. “Never underestimate women. Especially the short ones. And don’t you dare hold back.”

But Val’s swagger right now is skyscraper tall, and I stop just short of saying, “that’s my girl” out loud.

Because she’s not my girl. Even if a part of me is warming more and more to the idea.

And after her warning, they don’t hold back. Mostly. I can tell all three are careful not to hurt Val, but within minutes, it’s obvious she can hold her own and give back just as good.

How did I not know Val could play basketball? I feel like the room in my head where my Val knowledge lives has been undergoing a massive reno.

I’ve just opened my mouth to cheer for Val when John goes in a little too hard, knocking her flat on the concrete, the back of her head taking a direct hit.

I’m there before she can move, the boys and Mr. Silver right behind. “Are you okay, Tiny?” I have a quick flashback to just days ago when I was kneeling by her after throwing her on the bed. Maybe I need to roll her up in bubble wrap.

But I breathe a little easier when she grins up at me with those big, brown eyes, proud as can be. “I told them not to hold back.”

CHAPTER 20

Val

I’ve never been much for diets. My short, curvy body is what it is. But there was one time I really wanted this dress for Homecoming. And the store only had it in a size too small. I bought it anyway and for a month tried to shed five pounds to be able to zip it up.

Spoiler alert: it never did fit.

What I remember is how I kept cheating on my diet. Tomorrow, I’ll be better, I’d tell myself, eating a third slice of pizza. Tomorrow, I’ll start fresh. But for right now, I’m gonna enjoy this—fill in the blank with all the foods I kept eating.

That feeling of relishing a moment I might regret tomorrow is PRECISELY how I feel with Chevy.

Tomorrow, I’ll do better. Tomorrow I’ll remember he’s not into me.

But tomorrow exists in a separate dimension as Chevy carries me to his truck and manages to open my door, all while cradling me against his chest.

Dear teen boys, I think as I lean my head against him with a sigh. Thank you for not holding back in basketball. (At least not fully holding back.) Thank you, John, for the hip check that knocked me over and gave me the gift of this moment.

After shining a phone light in my eyes to check dilation, Chevy and Mr. Silver decided I don’t have a concussion. If anything, maybe a mild one.

Either way—they didn’t think I needed a hospital or urgent care visit. I hate doctors, so I wouldn’t have gone anyway. Not for a bump on the head incurred during driveway basketball.

I don’t even remember hitting the back of my head when I fell, but there is a growing lump there—a strange counterpart to the horn that just disappeared from my forehead. Being around Chevy doesn’t seem to be doing any favors for my heart OR my head.

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