Page 34 of Fast Break

Thirty-Four

Palmer

It's a while before I'm finally released. Everyone is heading back to the hotel and then out to a local club to celebrate, even the coaches. I look for my parents as wewalkout to the bus and spot them waiting with the Wainwrights. I jog over and my father envelops me in a tight hug.

"Congratulations,"he says."I'm so proud of you."

"It was a greatgame,"Ned Wainwright says, and everyone echoes the sentiment.

"Thanks,"I say, pulling out of my dad's arms and kissing my momon the cheek."Thankyou for coming,"I say to her.

"Sorry it took so long,"she says, squeezing my hand."I won't pretend I understood anything that was going on out there, but still—well done,Palmer."

"Are you guys going back to the hotel?"I ask.

"I think we decided to drive home,"my dad says."It's only a few hours, and your mother would rather be in her own bed."

"Me, too,"Patsy agrees.

"And I'm the official driver,"Boonesays. He hugs me."You looked great out there."

"What about that save in the second quarter?"my dad and Ned begin rehashing some of my finer moments. I look over to seeCharlieloading gear into the trunk of a car parked near the bus.

"Sorry, I have to go. I’ll call you tomorrow.” I kiss my mother on the cheek and say goodbye to everyone.“Thanksagain for coming."

Myteammatesare still milling about the bus and the managers continue to load on the equipment. I have at least a few minutes and I can't put this off any longer.

"Hi.” I strive to keep my voice even as I approach.

He looks up and straightens."Hi."

"How have you been?"My heart races worse than when I was on thefield.

"Fine. You looked good out there,"he says. Agrinsplits his beautiful face."I knew you'd kill it."

“I'm glad one of us did," I joke, letting out a nervous chuckle. "So, um, I heard you're moving? Is it true?"

His smile dulls."MattandBiancaare going to be moving in together. I figured I'd give them space."

"But Annapolis? You'releavingthe Battle, too?"

He puts his hands on hishipsandstaresat the ground."It's time to move on."

Mystomachrolls."Is it because of me?"

His eyes sparkle with so much emotion when he looks at me it physically hurts to keep staring at him."It's for a lot of reasons. I transferred here because Pete's parents—he's my former best friend?—"

"I remember. You walked in on him and your girlfriend."

His cheeks flush."Right. Anyway, they live next door to my parents, and I was always stressed out about running into him or Angela whenever I was home. I wanted to make a cleanbreak. It's been five years. It's time. I don’tcareif Iruninto them. They don't have the power tohurtme anymore."

"That's good,"I say."I'm glad for you."

We stare at each other, a million things needing to be said fallingin a silent, unspoken heap between us. He looks over my shoulder, his jaw ticking."I see your parents came. You must feel good about it."

I glance over to where they're having an animated conversation withCoachArkhady. My mother is actually laughing, something Iwasn'tsure she knew how to do."Yeah. Ever since the engagementparty, they've been trying harder to be more supportive."

He grunts. "And I see your boyfriend's here. I'm happy you found someone who appreciates what you do. You deserve that."

My face scrunches. "Boyfriend? Do you mean Boone? I told you, he's just a friend."

Charlie blows out a harsh breath. "Come on,Palmer. I saw you two."

"When?" I rack my brain trying to remember the last time I saw Boone before tonight. It was at the engagement lunch, but Charlie wasn't there.

"I went to your parents' house to crash the engagementpartyand rescue you, but apparently you didn't need rescuing.

Met your mother, by the way. She thought I was part of the non-English speaking staff.

" He nods over atBoone. "You two looked pretty cozy.

I know he's the kind of guy you imagine having a life with and, as your mother unintentionally made obvious, better suited to your life than I would be.

I hope I was able to help you get what you wanted and that he treats you like the Goddess you are. You deserve nothing less, Palmer."

"What are you talking about?"I take a step closer to him."There's nothing but friendship betweenBooneand me,Charlie. Whatever you think you saw, you got it wrong."

Hisgazeflickers."I saw youkisshim,Palmer."

"He gave me a gift. I thanked him."I put a hand onCharlie'sarm. His muscles tense under mytouch."Is this why?—"

"Palmer.Hey."

Idropmy hand and take a step back, plastering a smile on my face."Hi, Matt. Thanks for coming to the game."

The pretty brunette next time nudges his arm, and I recognize her from earlier withCharlie."This is my fiancée,Bianca."

Matt's fiancée . Relief flows through me. I reach out a hand."Lovely tomeetyou."

"Likewise,"she says, shaking my hand."I've heard so much about you.Charlietalks about you endlessly."

"Really?"I glance atCharlie, who's rubbing the back of his neck and looking distinctly uncomfortable.

"I wouldn't say endlessly,"Mattinterjects, coming to his brother's rescue."No more so than any of the other women he knows."

"Matt,"Charliewarns.

"York,"shoutsCoachArkhady."Bus is moving out. Let's roll!"

"Better go. I know everyone's going outtonight. You don’t want to miss it."Charlieshuts the trunk.

"Will you be joining us?"I ask.

"I don't know,"he says, juggling the keys in his palm. "Dante,Mei, andLibertyare going. So maybe."

Mattopens the back door for his fiancée and helps her into the car."Nice meeting you,Palmer," she says before ducking her head inside.

"You, too,Bianca. Good luck with the wedding."

Mattshuts the door and shootsCharliea look."Takecare,Palmer. Congrats on thegame."

"Thanks."I stare atCharliefor another long moment, trying to read his expression."Charlie?—"

"You should hurry. They're waiting on you.” He jerks his chin at me. “See you around,Palmer."

He gets in the car and doesn't look back. So I do the only thing I can do. I let him go.