Page 10 of Full Court Crush
Most of the table burst out laughing, and even Amelia chuckled. She glanced at Keira’s face to see her reaction, but Keira was again looking at her phone.
“It’s alright for you, Evie,” Lucy said, singling out one of the few married people on the team. “You married your high school sweetheart.”
“We didn’t go to the same high school,” Evie pointed out, interlocking her fingers with TJ’s.
“Po-tay-to, Po-tah-to,” Lucy waved her away, then her gaze landed on Amelia.
“What about you, Doc? Got any good dating stories for us?”
Amelia scoffed and picked up her drink, waiting for the conversation to move on. Only, almost the entire table looked expectantly at her.
“When would I have time to date?” She laughed, taking a sip and putting down her glass.
“Some things you have to make time for,Cariño,”Sofia said.
“There’re loads of apps out there. Why don’t you try one of those? Streamline the process,” Lucy stated, pulling up an app on her phone to show her.
“What? Because you’ve made it sound so appealing?” Everyone laughed again.
“Touché,” Lucy replied, opening her hands in submission. “But still, it must get pretty lonely. You won’t even have to date. You could just, you know…” Lucy glanced sideways at Coach Grant, who pretended to be very engrossed in her menu. “Have some fun?”
“With who, though? I spend my entire life at work or at basketball, and I’m certainly not about to sleep with one of my colleagues.”
“What about — “ Lucy began, tone cheeky
“Or any of the parents, Luce…” Amelia rolled her eyes.
“What I was about to say,” Lucy said, “was what about meeting someone through basketball? You’d already know you had something in common.”
Amelia laughed. “I don’t hang out with anyone from basketball, either, other than you lot, and I’m certainly not about to start dating one of you,” she chuckled.
“Why not? Don’t you think I’m pretty?” Lucy fluttered her eyelashes and tilted her head coyly, making their teammates laugh. “But seriously, Doc, why don’t you — “
“Dating teammates, or even potential teammates, is never a good idea,” Amelia interrupted, desperate to shut down the conversation. “Especially if you’re a captain.” Amelia’s pulse pounded in her ears. She didn’t like having her personal life interrogated like this. It reminded her too much of her parents and their constant disappointment in her. Keira shuffled in her seat.
“Speaking from experience?” Lucy teased obliviously, before her body jerked. “Ow!” she whispered, glaring at Sofia. Sofia glared right back.
It took a few long, awkward seconds for subdued conversation to break out again. Amelia took another drink, anything to keep her hands occupied, making a mental note to thank Sofia later. The chatter increased again when the food arrived, everyone excited to be eating on the boss’ dime. A waiter put Amelia’s plate down in front of her. The ribs glistened with sticky glaze as butter slowly melted and tracked its way through the corn on the cob’s kernels. Amelia eagerly picked up her knife and fork.
About halfway through the meal, she realised her eyes may have been bigger than her stomach. She thought she could manage her main meal, but the onion rings may have been too much.
“Help yourself if you want any,” she said to Keira, pointing at the onion rings with her fork.
“Thanks,” Keira smiled, then took another bite of her burger. For someone who supposedly had a big lunch, she was sure putting her meal away like she hadn’t eaten in days.
Sienna, who sat diagonally across from Amelia, took the opportunity the break in conversation afforded and started grilling Amelia on her basketball career. Amelia, remembering being eighteen with a world of possibilities in front of her, humoured the teenager. Amelia absentmindedly reached for an onion ring, but her fingers found Keira’s hand instead of crispy batter. The jolt of electricity she experienced wasn’t subtle this time.
“Oh, sorry!” She quickly retracted her hand.
“Don’t be sorry, they’re your onion rings.” Keira pushed the bowl towards her. Amelia blushed and took a piece, willing Sienna to ask her another question. But Sienna had moved on, now grilling Sofia, leaving Amelia stuck, silence hanging in the air between her and Keira.
The restaurant table was full of empty dessert plates and glasses, and the conversation had quietened with sleepy, satiated satisfaction. Coach Grant, with a “don’t get used to this!” caveat attached, paid the bill on her way out. The rest of the team departed slowly, except for Keira. She bolted from the table, seemingly desperate to leave. Amelia followed her, quickly navigating around a few pulled out chairs and other diners, jogging a few steps to catch up.
“Hey, I’m glad you made it,” she said, feeling awkward as she stalled Keira’s escape.
“Hah, yeah, just about.” Keira scratched the back of her head. “I, err, do have to get back now, though.” Her gaze lingered on Amelia for a moment, then she turned to go.
“Where are you parked?” Amelia asked quickly, not wanting the connection to end.