Page 15 of Full Court Crush
No one else at the Blizzards, except Coach Grant, knew about her situation. Knowing made people look at her differently. Like a single gust of wind might knock her over, shattering her into a million pieces. She didn’t want anyone, especially Amelia, to see her as vulnerable. Keira braced for impact.
“I’m sorry to hear that.” Amelia sounded kind. There was no trace of pity in her voice. “That must be hard.”
“Yeah, it’s…a lot. I dropped everything and came back as soon as he told me. My mum died when I was young and…” the words caught in her throat. “He’s all I have.” Tears prickled Keira’s eyes. She aggressively wiped them on her t-shirt, looking anywhere but toward Amelia.
Without a word, Amelia slid towards Keira and wrapped an arm around her. The side hug was awkward, but it took everything Keira had not to crumble into it. They lapsed into silence; Keira not having the confidence to say anything further, and Amelia seemingly giving her the grace she needed to gather herself. Even the vending machine seemed to respectfully quieten down. Once Keira felt more like she was back on solid ground, she pulled away slightly, and Amelia removed her arm. Their thighs remained close; Keira felt the heat from Amelia like a blanket.
“Do you think you’ll go back to America once he’s better?” Amelia eventually asked.
“No, I don’t think so. I mean, my whole life was there, but…this was a reality check. I don’t want him to be an eight-hour plane ride away. He’s not getting any younger.”
“That makes sense.”
Keira glanced at Amelia. A gentle smile graced her face. Keira’s gaze lingered on Amelia’s eyes, as the expression in them tinged with uncertainty, and a little curiosity. Time seemed to slow down. Keira’s heartbeat swiftly kicked up a notch. When Keira’s gaze dropped to Amelia’s lips, Amelia inhaled sharply. The surrounding atmosphere stilled.
A sudden knock on the glass made the pair spring apart as if electrocuted. Coach Grant grinned at them through the glass doors as she unlocked them. Amelia bounced to her feet, nervous energy somehow worse. Keira waited a few moments for her brain to re-boot.
Did that nearly just happen?
She shrugged in confusion, got down from her perch, and picked up her bag.
“Muppets, the pair of you,” Coach Grant said teasingly. “I’d expect it from a rookie, but I’m surprised you got caught out, Amelia.”
Amelia’s eyes almost imperceptibly widened. Keira thought she resembled a schoolchild getting told off by the teacher.
“They locked up early,” Keira offered, side-eyeing Amelia.
“Did they check everyone had left?”
“No, I don’t think so, but I might not have heard them over the shower.”
“And I had headphones on,” Amelia added.
“Hm.” Coach Grant pressed her lips into a thin line. “They should at least have checked…”
The trio lingered for a moment.
“Anyway, you’re probably keen to get home so…” Coach Grant waved them towards the doors. Amelia led them out.
“Thank you for coming to get us, Coach,” Keira said jovially.
“Of course, just don’t make a habit of it. I wasn’t far off getting ready for bed.”
“We’ll try not to.” Keira laughed. Amelia smiled weakly.
Keira returned to her car. She simultaneously felt better for having worked on her outside shooting, and worse for having let herself get…distracted. She thumped down in the driver’s seat, assuaging her guilt by telling herself it would never happen again. She glanced across the car park, briefly locking eyes with Amelia before she got into her own car.
That could be easier said than done.
Chapter 6
Amelia
Loudmusicpumpedthroughthe speakers in the large gym, occasionally punctuated by the clang of metal when weights were dropped. The state-of-the-art gym was painted grey and lime green, and the shiny metal equipment reflected the overhead lights. Pops of colour from gym clothes decorated the space like ornaments on an avant-garde Christmas tree. Coach Grant, TJ, and some of the strength and conditioning staff were laying out a circuit for the team to use, each one a testing station for assessing their strength and stamina. A familiar tension took up residence in Amelia’s chest. There was nowhere to hide here. Nothing could be organised or controlled. It would be her against the weight rack and the unforgiving pens of those keeping track of their results.
“Alright, come in.” Coach Grant called everyone into the middle of the space. Some of the other gym goers instinctively looked up, hearing Coach’s commanding voice even through their headphones.
“Okay, we’re going to pair you up by position,” Coach Grant said. “There are six stations. You’ll all start at the same weight, do six reps, go up a weight, and do another six, repeat until failure. Remember, the only competition is with yourself.”