Page 19 of Full Court Crush
“Sorry, guys, I’ve gotta go, I forgot I had something else booked! I’m already late!” She threw the last word over her shoulder as she jogged to the gap in the metal fence. She came to a shuddering halt a few metres outside the court, before bolting back to grab her bag, which had lain forgotten at the side of the court. Watching Lucy sprint away a second time, Amelia shook her head with an affectionate smile.
“Do you two want to keep going, or…?” she asked TJ and Evie.
“Nah, let’s take the win, pipsqueak.” TJ took a large drink from his water bottle, oblivious to Evie looking meaningfully at him. It took Evie gently elbowing him with a meaningful nod in Amelia’s direction for realisation to dawn. “Oh yeah,” she heard TJ whisper, before he turned to her.
“Do you want to grab a coffee? It feels like ages since the three of us have had a proper catch-up.”
Amelia looked between TJ’s friendly smile and Evie’s concerned one, and quelled the excuse clawing its way out of her throat.
Amelia gratefully sank into one of the deep, soft, coffee shop sofa chairs. She closed her eyes and rested her head on the back of the chair, letting the warmth and babble of chatter envelop her like a blanket. Her skin prickled with drying sweat from their game, and her mouth remained dry despite regular hydration breaks.
In a few days, she would lead her team in their first professional game. Her stomach clenched with nerves. Of course, their first game had to be against one of the league’s stronger teams. The Bristol Ballers, founding members of the league, received superior funding and exposure. She doubted any of their players needed to work second jobs, which gave them an inherent advantage over teams where the players juggled both. If she thought about it too hard, she started to feel ill. Her team didn’t just depend on her for leadership anymore; she now shouldered the weight of other people’s job security. She thought about Keira, and how her only income came from playing for the Blizzards, and what it would mean for her if they failed in their first professional season. Amelia swallowed. At least it was a home game.
“Here we go,” TJ said, putting down a tray, the sudden clank rousing her. The three large slices of chocolate cake on the tray made her sit up straighter.
“How many shifts this week?” TJ asked, passing out plates. Evie put a second tray on the table, laden with a black coffee for herself, a blended frozen coffee piled high with cream and syrup for TJ, and an iced tea for Amelia.
“I wasn’t supposed to be working at all, but ended up doing some last-minute cover.”
“You know you’re allowed to say no, right?” he asked, removing the trays and sliding them down the narrow gap between his chair and the wall.
“I know, but I’m still finding my feet with this bank work thing.”
“That doesn’t mean you have to say yes toeverything,“ Evie added, ripping open a small paper packet and pouring sugar into her coffee. “You are allowed to put your own needs before someone else’s.Especiallywhen it’s for something as basic as needing sleep.”
Amelia mumbled a response that might’ve been agreement, loaded up a big forkful of cake and transferred it to her mouth. TJ rolled his eyes.
“So…” Evie said, looking meaningfully at Amelia.
“Who’re you thinking for the starting five next weekend?” Amelia said around her mouthful of cake, turning to TJ.
“You two, obviously. Lucy, Sofia, and Asha. But we might move you to two and put Keira at three to double up our outside shooting threat. The Ballers’ inside defence is like Fort Knox.”
“Interesting. And how’s your team shaping up? Your first game is soon too, right?”
Amelia kept her eyes focused on TJ as he talked about his men’s team and how he hoped to push for a starting spot this year, ignoring Evie who seemed to be itching to interrupt.
Eventually, TJ took a bite of cake. Amelia wracked her brain for other team-related questions. Evie opened her mouth to speak, but Amelia got there first.
“Have you heard from Jenna recently? How is she?”
“Still an annoying younger sibling. Still all loved up.”
Another silence settled for a few seconds.
“So…” Evie began again, more forcefully this time, leaning forward in her chair, resting her elbows on her knees.
“So, what?” Amelia challenged, even though she had a good idea what was coming.
“I was only teasing about you and Keira, as I said. But…did I hit a nerve? Is there something going on between you two?”
It seemed the entire coffee shop quietened to listen for her response.
“No,” she replied, focusing on her chocolate cake.
“Are you sure?”
“Pretty sure I’d notice if there was,” she said sarcastically. TJ, about to take a drink of his coffee, paused.