Teardrop Shot(67)

I lifted a shoulder, shaking my head. “I don’t know. I have to talk to Reese, see what he says about tonight.”

“Well, I was going to suggest, do you want Sophia and me to switch with Trent and Lauren? They can take the second guest room at Janet’s and we’ll stay at your place? It makes sense, in a way. Trent’s a lot closer to Janet than I am. I was always loyal to you. Plus, Hadley’s friends with her too. And you and I are closer, you know.”

I nodded, loving this new plan. “Yes. Then we don’t have to hide or dart into a hotel room.”

“Good.” He squeezed my shoulder, standing back up. “I’ll talk to Trent about everything, and we’ll sort it out. If for any reason it doesn’t go down like that, one of us will let you know. You can have your time, and tomorrow then?”

“He’s flying back with the team, so I’m free as of tomorrow morning.”

He knelt back down, looping his arms over his knees. “Janet asked about you, wondering if you’re mad at her or something. I think she’s trying to figure out how we got these tickets.”

I groaned. “Can Hadley make up something there too?”

He grinned. “We’ll cover, but just so you know for tomorrow. She invited all of us over to her place for dinner.”

“When are you heading back to camp?”

“That’s kinda up to you. I mean, we’re in off-season, so we don’t actually have to go back till Monday. Are you free Monday morning? Should we plan to go back that day? Or we can go back tomorrow after Janet’s.”

I was happy they were here, which was not something I would have imagined myself thinking even three months ago. A lot could change when you started letting yourself live.

“Whatever you guys want. I’m easy. I don’t have a job.”

“Speaking of.” He gave me a serious look.

“AHH! YOU GUYS ARE ON THE KISS CAM!” someone screeched behind us, trying to push our heads together.

I jerked, whipping my eyes up to the jumbotron, and there we were, my profile to the camera.

I paled.

Grant stiffened.

And Hadley acted.

She yelled, then grabbed my face and whipped me around to her. Her lips mashed to mine, and after a second of shock, a cheer rose up around us. People clapped and laughed.

Owen surged to his feet, pointing at us. “She’s my wife!”

Trent bit his lip, trying to keep from laughing.

I just held my hands up and shook my head. “She kissed me.”

“She’s not my girlfriend. My girl’s on the other side,” Grant announced to anyone who would listen.

Sophia was dying in her seat, almost on the floor, her arms hugging her sides. And Lauren? She was back to being confused.

The camera had moved on, but it zoomed back again. This time it found Owen and Hadley. Husband and wife kissed, and another cheer rose up. The camera came back to me, but I shook my head. “I’m alone,” I mouthed.

A guy yelled from above us, “I’ll kiss you!”

Grant tapped my shoulder. “I’m going to get back. It’s unsafe being here. We’ll talk later.”

The players came back out, there was more dancing music, and the next half didn’t disappoint.

Juan fouled out, leaving the court to a chorus of boos.

Reese led the charge, and it wasn’t really a surprise when his team won at the end, 109-85.





I got my Easter egg during Reese’s last interview, right before he jogged off the court. He asked to wear the interviewer’s glasses. It was all a joke, but the guy loved it, and I had a feeling that clip would be played on YouTube quite a bit.

As he ran into the tunnel, I saw him looking for me.

Once our gazes caught, I held up my phone. He dipped his head once and kept running. I knew people saw the exchange. There was no way they couldn’t have. I ducked my head as I noticed a few cameras pointing my way.

Hadley touched my arm. “You want a hat? Owen brought one he didn’t wear.”

“Maybe that’s a good idea.”

I pulled my hair around my face, tugged the hat down low, and tried not to look up until we’d left our seats. There were two guys following me, one holding a camera in front of him.

We were nearing a bathroom, and I grabbed Hadley’s hand, ducking inside, then circling around a group. The exit was at the other end. The guys were waiting outside the second door, trying to look inside. I held back. When a big surge of people went past them, I moved us into the middle. Hadley was right with me.

She laughed, her beer breath blasting me as she twisted to look behind us. “Who was it?”

“I don’t know, but they were following me.”

“I hate to say it, but if you and Reese do become something, that’s going to happen more and more. People watch him like a hawk.”

I nodded and squeezed her hand. “Let’s just get through the ‘we’re friends who bone’ stage. I’ll worry about that later.”

She laughed, patting my arm. “Sounds good to me.”

A guy pointed at us. “Hey. It’s the lesbian chicks.” He turned and yelled at us, “You guys are hot. Keep kissing.”

His friends thought he was so funny. One added, “Yeah. Always keep kissing. Without clothes.”