Page 83 of Definitely Not a Thing

“I was heartbroken, inmydefense,” I countered, eyebrow raised.

“Shit… me too,” he said, making my eyebrows go even higher.

“Elaborate.”

“Do you know what Summer League is?” he asked, and I immediately frowned.

“Do Iseemlike I would?”

Calvin chuckled. “No, actually. So, it’s basically like… I’m sure you have some kind of orientation for Proxy, right? Like a trial run to make sure new people fit in whatever lane they're trying to get into, right?”

“Yeah.”

“So that’s kinda what Summer League is – making sure the rookies and other relatively new players can handle the heat, give them a chance to get play time they usually wouldn’t, all that.”

I nodded. “Okay, I follow. What about it though?”

“It’s kinda… fuck it, it’s some sensitive shit, I know. But, this one guy, not even on my team, mind you – he’s on fire. Putting up impressive numbers, great personality, nigga is handsome, everything,” he laughed. “Which usually, who gives a fuck, right? But I’m watching highlights, enjoying it even though it’s bittersweet, and one of the damn announcers says, “Crossover who?” which, that’s a basketball term, so it could’ve just been like… coincidence. But…nah.He goes on theis long tirade about how this other nigga is my replacement in the league, blah, blah, blah.”

“Aww, did that hurt your feelings?” I asked, grabbing his hand.

“As a matter of fact,yes,” he chuckled. “Like a motherfucker.”

Ugh.

Hearing that needled at me, making me mad at a complete stranger. “Okayfuck him,” I said, frowning. “Clearly, he didn’t know what he was talking about, because you’re on the team, reporting to training camp tomorrow, people clearly love you. What is his name?”

“Cool it, Li-Li,” he said, squeezing my hand. “It’s okay.”

“Well yeah, but I still don’t like it.”

Shit, I didn’t either. Keys and Foster were over here when it happened, and they immediately clocked the shift in my mood. Ordered some drinks – through Proxy, actually – invited some people… turned it into a get-together. Which had cheered me up until your mean ass came along.”

I gasped, pushing him away. “That’s not funny!”

“I’m not joking!” he insisted. “That shit blew me.”

“So you decided to troll?”

He shrugged. “Just a little.”

“A little? I wanted to murder you!”

“But you didn’t, and look at how things have turned out.”

I wrinkled my nose at him. “Are you implying that sleeping with you is my reward for not wringing your neck?”

“Hey… you said it, not me,” he declared, sitting back with a cocky grin that made me roll my eyes.

Before I could formulate an actual reply though, Keys and Foster walked up, needling Calvin into hitting the court with them and some kids from the neighborhood who’d recognized him.

“Don’t tear your Achilles!” I yelled after him, grinning as he responded with a wide eyed,now why the fuck would you say that?!

I could troll too.

Eventually, the impromptu party thinned out, with the last of the guests helping with the cleanup. Which… man, was a bit of a double-edged sword, because it took away the distraction of busyness, forcing me to sit with my frustratingly complicated feelings.

Alone.