Page 28 of Full Court Crush
“What about your team, Amelia?” Sienna asked. Most of the others laughed, causing Sienna and Keira to look around, confused.
“Die hard Suns fan.”
“Suns all the way.”
“Do you even have to ask?” Evie added, waving in the general direction of Amelia’s faded Suns t-shirt before sitting back down on the sofa. Keira shifted a little closer. Amelia pulled at her collar.
“Aren’t they the team where two of the players just got engaged to each other?” Sienna asked.
“That’s the one,” Amelia replied. It had been all over the women’s sports news.
“Imagine the chemistry they must have on court,” Sienna said, her expression looking like she’d just seen a pile of kittens.
“Chemistry can lead to explosive reactions, remember,” Amelia warned. “It could blow up in their faces, too.”
“I guess,” Sienna replied, deflated.
“Yeah, but sport is all about taking risks, right?” Evie added, addressing the room at large. “Pushing the boundaries more than the other team? That’s how you win.” She made eye contact with Amelia specifically, before continuing. “And what are they supposed to do? Put their job above their happiness?”
Amelia shrugged, thankful the game restarting precluded a more detailed response. Everyone’s attention turned back to the television, but Amelia struggled to focus on the screen. Her situation was only made worse when TJ rejoined them on the sofa. Keira shuffled into Amelia again, heat radiating off the seam of their thighs, now pressed together. She forced herself to concentrate on the game.
When the final buzzer sounded, a few half-hearted cheers went up. Amelia, however, jumped up in celebration. The Suns had won. Unfortunately, in the process, she accidentally stood on Keira’s foot. She lost her balance and tumbled almost in slow motion toward the floor. Strong arms reached out and steadied her, then guided her gently back to the sofa.
“At least I caught you this time,” Keira whispered, making the skin on the back of Amelia’s neck tingle. She looked around concerned, but everyone else was too busy dissecting the game or eating more snacks to have noticed their exchange. Amelia’s leg was half draped over Keira’s; she quickly retracted it. Amelia could have sworn she saw Keira smirk before turning back to the conversations happening in the rest of the room. Amelia’s hands were clammy, and she tried to surreptitiously wipe them on her trousers, her chest tight. If anyone had seen the exchange, none of them reacted. Most of the team had their phones out, checking their calendars to try to find time to watch another game together, probably once the play-offs started. Amelia couldn’t tell if she wanted them to pick a day she was working or a day she was free. Today had been torture. Glorious, wonderful torture.
Keira was one of the first to leave. The room instantly felt a few degrees cooler. The rest trickled out in dribs and drabs. Amelia stayed to help Evie clear up. She could feel the desire to pry radiating off Evie, but to her credit, she bit her tongue. Amelia tried not to think about the way Keira’s voice had whispered, and the way her strong hands had felt around her waist when she caught her.
And the smirks. Oh god, the smirks.
Amelia was glad she had cleaning to distract herself with. Eventually, though, they were done, and Amelia grabbed her things to leave.
“Thank you for a lovely evening,” Amelia said as Evie walked her to the door.
“Text me when you get home?”
“Yes, Mum.” Amelia joked.
Evie opened her mouth again as if to say something else, but seemingly thought better of it.
“Bye, love you.” Amelia said as she walked out the front door and back toward her car. The clear night sky allowed a brilliant view of the moon. Amelia smiled as she looked up at it, just as her phone buzzed in her pocket. She took it out, brow creasing at the notification.
Sonia had followed her back.
Chapter 10
Keira
Theearlyeveningbreezehad a slight chill to it, indicating autumn had arrived. Blizzards players in a mixture of comfy lounge wear and team tracksuits slung their bags into the underbelly of the sleek hired coach that would take them to their away game in Durham. Keira stood apart from the others, phone pressed to her ear.
“Did I give you all his medication?” Keira asked quietly.
“Yes, and you checked it three times when you dropped him off.” Uncle Frank’s tone was patient. A couple of Blizzards players walked past, and Keira stepped further away from the congregation of her teammates near the bus doors. She rubbed her forehead with her thumb and fingertips, trying to smooth the furrows in her brow.
“And you know he needs the house to be warm because — ”
“Keira, I’m Jeff’s big brother. I’ve been looking after him all his life,” he said kindly. “Don’t worry, I’ve got this.”
She sighed and tried to believe that. She had to believe that to be able to attend away games. Amelia sent her an inquisitive glance from the car park. Keira gave her an apologetic half-smile and turned away.