Page 21 of Fast Break
Twenty-One
Palmer
I can't remember the last time I willingly stayed at my parents' later than planned.
But the barbecue was a blast, and I attribute it all to the Wainwrights.
After enjoying steaks and veggie kabobs on the grill, the six of us played several spirited rounds of cards.
Helen, who'd spent the day with her son, returned in time to serve the cheesecake she'd baked earlier in the day and joined us on the patio with a freshbottleof wine for her, my mother, and Patsy, while my father, Ned, andBoonedrank more of my dad's craftbeerand debated the virtues of European imports over other varieties.
I stuck to Clearly Canadian, since eventually I'd have to drive back home.
Practicewas too early in the morning to consider staying over; I'd have to leave at the asscrack of dawn to make it in time, and even then, the heavy traffic flowing towardBaltimorefrom Frederick is too unpredictable.
I ended up shooting off aquicktext toCharlieapologizing for not being able to make it, and stayed until the Wainwrights left, not getting back to my apartment untilcloseto midnight.
Now, myassis dragging. I finish strength and conditioning and move to speed and agility drills, sucking wind like a French Bulldog running uphill in a windstorm.
The rest of the day improves little, and I'm grateful whenCoachDonovan blows his whistle.
I drag myself to the showers andstandunder the hot stream until the sound of myteammatesfades away.
By the time I towel off and re-enter the locker room, everyone is gone exceptTisha. She's rolling up the resistance bands she uses as part of her physical therapy exercises. I dress quickly in my sports bra, running shorts, and oversized sleeveless tee.
"You looked like hell out there today."
Istickmytongueout at her and she snickers.
"Maybe if you'd kept yourtonguewhere it belongs last night, you wouldn't be in such pain this morning. TellCharliehe has to give you abreakfor early practices."
"Iwasn'twithCharlielast night,"I say, pinning my hair back with a stretchy headband."I haven't seen him since Denver."
Tishawhips her head toward me."Did you end your experiment already? I thought you were waiting until the end of theseason."
"No, we're still, um, experimenting. Between thegameschedule and family stuff, we haven't had achanceto be together.
"I swipe on some Carmex and smack my lips together to spread it.
"Honestly, though, I think we needed thisbreak.
It's been... intense... since we started sleeping together.
"I lower my voice so only she can hear me, even though it seems like we'realone.
"But that's what you wanted, right?"she says."Practiceat separating feelings fromsex."
"I know."I sling my backpack over my shoulder and turn around.
"It's just harder than I thought it'd be.
I knew going in therewasn'ta future with him.
I thought it'd just befun. But sometimes he makes me forget this is pretend.
Are you heading home right now, or do you want to go grab a coffee or something? "
"I have to see Diana,"she says."I'd hoped to make it into one moregame, but it's not going to happen."
"Damn it, T. I'm sorry."
"Don't be,"Tishasays, walking with a more pronounced limp I hadn't noticed before."You're not the bitch from Tampa who clipped my knee out from under me lastseason."
"It was a cheapshot."
"She's a cheap bitch."Tishawalked toward the elevators.
"Anyway, I need to go upstairs to talk to Diana about next steps and possibilities.
"Diana Gregson is our General Manager. She took excellentcareof all of us, without compromising the team's integrity or success.
If there's anychanceTishacan stay with theteampost-retirement, Diana would find it.
"Does that mean Wyoming's off the table?"I ask, with possibly too much hope in my voice, judging by the apology in Tisha's reply.
"Nope, still right in the middle of the table. But it's not a done deal, so I need toplanas if it might not happen. Anyway, if you weren't withCharliesetting the sheets on the fire, why are you so drained today?"
We stop by the elevators while I tell her about spending time in Frederick last night and how, for the first time in possibly ever, I enjoyed myself while in the company of my parents.
"These people, the Wainwrights, are a good influence on my folks.
I don't know how, but they seem to have gotten them to loosen up some.
My mother gave meshitabout my hair only once.
And their son,Boone, is such a sweetheart.
He's going to come see our games this week. "
"Is he now?"Tishaleans against the wall opposite the elevator doors.
"Don't give me that tone of voice,"I huff at her. I punch the up button for her, then turn back around to face her."We're just friends."
"DoesCharlieknow about this friend?"
"No, but I don't see why he wouldcare."I don't bother to hide the annoyance creeping into my voice.
The elevator arrives with a ding and the doorsslideopen behind me.
"For the umpteenth time,Charlieand I are just havingfun.
There's nothing there and there never will be.
He's a distraction, that's all, a way for me to figure things out. "
I turn toholdthe door open forTisha, pulling up short asLibertysteps out of the car.
It's clear from her smuggrinshe overheard at least some of what I was saying toTisha.
My lips thin as I move away from her, and I castTishaa wary glance.
She returns it with a wide-eyed look of her own.
She knows about the lastrun-in I had withLibertyregardingCharlie.
"IsCoachArkhady still in her office?"the redheadasks, an innocent smile on her lips."I came down to speak with her."
"Far as I know,"Tishasays, pointing her thumb over her shoulder. Saw the light on when we walked past."
"Thanks."Libertybeams atTisha, then at me."You ladies have a lovely day."
"Yeah, you, too,"I mutter.
Tishawalks onto the car and shakes her head at me."She looks like she can't wait to tattle on you. Guess it's a good thing there's nothing real going on between you andCharlie, after all."