Page 28 of Fast Break

Twenty-Eight

Charlie

Wefall asleep in each other's arms. I can't think of a time when I was more satisfied, or more humbled. That she trusts me with her body means the world. We've taken a big step forward, and when we wake at her alarm in the morning, there's a lightness in my heart I never knew could exist.

Only it turns out it's not her alarm. Her phone is ringing the Star Wars Imperial March on repeat. With a shout of frustration, she untangles herself from me and half-climbs, half-falls out of bed. On the way out of the bedroom, she kicks the hassock at the foot of the bed."Son of a BITCH!"

She hops on one foot while she reaches for the robe hanging off a hook on her door. I pat the space she'd just occupied."Come back to bed and I'llkissit all better."

"I can't, I have to find my stupid phone."The music stops, but then it starts up again. She listens for a beat before rushing out the door."Hello?"

She speaks from the other room in low murmurs. I check the clock—six am. Who the hell is calling at six am on a Saturday?

Her voice rises. I'm alert now, her distress finishing the job of waking me that her phone started. I throw on my briefs andwalkout to find her pacing the living room.

" Mother ,"she snaps into the phone."You're being unreasonable... yeah, you are... Playoffsstartthis week. I won't have time?—"

I make my way to the kitchen tostartthe coffee while she listens to her mother on the other end of the line.

I sneak glances at her as I measure out the water and grounds, set the filter in the basket, andstartit brewing.

I can't hear what is being said to her, but she started the conversation full of fire.

Now, it seems her flame is being doused with every passing moment.

Finally, she ends the call and drops onto the couch, slump-shouldered and defeated.

I find milk and hazelnut creamer in the fridge and pour us each a mug, adding a splash of milk tomineand a heavy dollop of creamer to hers. I set her mug in front of her and lean against the doorway, blowing onminebefore taking a sip."Want to talk about it?"

Shepullsher knees to herchestand wraps her arms around them."It was my mother."

"I gathered. What's so urgent she had to call and upset you before the sun has barely cleared the horizon?"

"She gets up at five, so this isn't early to her. I've been ducking her calls the past few days, just because, so I figured I'd better answer and see what shewants."

I sip my coffee, the hot liquid burning the tip of mytongue."And?"I prompt when she doesn't continue.

"I told you my ex is marrying my cousin."She wipes a finger across her eyelid."My mother is hosting an engagement lunch for themtomorrowand shewantsme to be there."

Rage kindles and burns inside, at her ex, at her cousin, but mostly at her mother."First of all, why there, and secondly, why do you have to go?"

Shegivesa waterylaugh."My Aunt Dory and Uncle Frank are in the process of renovating their house, and I guess the bride-to-be didn't want to have it at a restaurant. She wanted something more private—for all fifty guests."

I put my mug down and sit next to her, enfolding her into my arms. She leans her head against mychestand sniffles, wiping her nose with the sleeve of her robe."Don't think I'm crying because ImissBrennan."

"Okay."I smooth down her hair.

"Or think I'm jealous. They deserve each other, and I honestly don'tcareif they get married."

"I don't,"I soothe.

"I'm just so angry."Shesitsup and rubs her face with her robe. I look around and spot a box of tissues on the end table and hand it to her.

"Thanks,"she says, using the tissues to dry her eyes.

"It's understandable you're angry, Coco. What they did is seriously fucked up."

She balls up the tissue and tosses it on the table."No, not angry at them. Angry at my mom. I understandRaniais her niece, but I'm her daughter. Why the hell does she think it's okay to host an engagementpartyfor my ex-boyfriendand my cousin ? And to demand my presence ontopof it."

My irritation spikes. If I didn't think it'd make Palmer's life harder, I'd call her mother back and give the woman a reality check."You're an adult,Palmer. She can't demand your presence at anything."

"Sounds good, in theory. But my parents are all I have. I don't have brothers or sisters, or a big extended family like yours. I have to go. But I'm so mad she'sputtingme in this position to look like a fool. A total loser."

"Hey, now. Not possible."I grasp her chin and turn her face tomine. Her usually lively eyes are dull with sadness."You are not a fool or a loser. Haven't we been over this before?"

She offers me a weak smile and brushes aquickkissto my lips. Her phone beginsplayinga lyrical melody. She swipes it off."Time forpractice."

Istand."I promisedBiancaI'd takeMattshopping for wedding suits. She doesn't trust his taste. Which is fair; left to his own devices, we'd probably all bewearingcarpenter jeans and flannels."

This gets a chuckle out of her."All right. See you later?"

"You bet."kissher then smack herass."Now let's get out of here beforeCoachhas you doing wind sprints for being late."