Page 30 of Full Court Crush
“We all placed bets on how long it would be before you checked up on me again.” He said, still chuckling. “I won.”
Keira blushed and turned away from the rest of the group, though her heart filled with warmth at the good-natured needling.
“You know, most people would be grateful to have such a dutiful daughter.”
“I am, I am,” her father said, containing laughter. “How was the journey up?”
“It was fine, Dad.” She paced. Their group moved as Coach Grant handed out keys. “Look, I’ve gotta go, but call me if you need anything, okay?”
“Of course. Love you.”
“I love you, too.”
She hung up and quickly joined the rapidly thinning group. By the time Coach Grant got down to the last few keys, only she, Keira, Amelia, TJ, and Evie were without rooms.
“Right, here’s yours.” Coach thrust a single room key towards Evie, who had traveled but wasn’t playing due to a shoulder injury.
“And your two’s,” she said, handing a key to Amelia. Amelia’s eyes widened. “Hey, I’m the coach, I’m not sharing.” Coach Grant snatched up the last key and headed towards the elevator. Evie and TJ followed close behind, walking hand in hand. Evie glanced back and winked. Keira and Amelia stared at each other for a few moments.
“Shall we go, then?” Amelia’s tone was half question, half command. Her caring demeanor from the coach had disappeared like someone had flipped a switch. Keira wasn’t sure what she’d done. Amelia headed to the lift, and Keira had to jog after her to keep up. They waited in silence behind the others. Keira glanced at Amelia, wanting to ask what was wrong, but Amelia’s gaze stayed fixed forward. With a ding, a lift arrived, and Evie, TJ, and Coach Grant filled it. Evie waved at them as the doors closed in their faces. Keira waited a few seconds before calling another one. Amelia still hadn’t spoken.
“So…roomies, huh?” Keira said, trying to keep her voice light. Amelia seemed on edge.
“Yup,” Amelia said, apparently studying the control panel in front of them.
They lapsed into silence as they waited for the next lift.
Professional,Keira reminded herself.
Whatever was wrong with Amelia wasn’t her concern. It wasn’t like they were dating or anything.
But that didn’t stop it niggling at her.
By the time they got to the room, Keira was convinced she’d done something to offend Amelia. Maybe calling her dad when they were checking in broke some unspoken team rule. Amelia had practically marched them down the corridor without saying a word. She was racking her brain for what else she could have done, when they stepped into the room and caught sight of the lone double bed.
“What the—” Keira started, but Amelia deposited her bag on the far side of the room and marched back out the door.
“C’mon, Michelle said straight back out.” Amelia commanded.
“But I need a wee…” Keira said helplessly, though she dutifully trailed after her. She tried not to think about how part of her also kind of liked Amelia bossing her around.
The communal dining area buzzed with chatter and laughter as the team sprawled across several tables, each with at least two large pizza boxes open on them. The aroma of tomato and melted cheese wafted around them, interspersed with the pungent scent of pepperoni and pineapple. Not on the same pizza, thankfully. Keira sat with Asha and Sienna; the latter practically fizzed in her seat.
“First away game! I’m so excited. I’ve watched all their games from last season that I could find; I really think we could take them.”
“Mm-hmm,” Keira replied. She had also watched some of the footage of their opposition’s previous games. She was less confident. Her gaze drifted over to the table where Amelia, TJ, Evie, and Coach Grant sat in hushed conversation. What were they discussing? Family stuff? Or tactics and starting lineups? Keira wasn’t sure she could tolerate too much time on the bench right now; her confidence was on shaky ground.
“What do you think?” Sienna asked, and Keira zoned back into their table; Sienna and Asha looked at her intently.
“Hmm?”
“I was saying we could use Sofia’s height to neutralise the shooting threat from number eight.”
“Yeah…that might work.” Keira blinked. The teenager wasn’t wrong. She tried to look past Sienna’s bubbliness; she had been reading it as immaturity. In her research before she joined the team, though, she knew Sienna was in the GB pathway, and had experience at international tournaments being coached by people who’d forgotten more about basketball than Keira knew. Shame rose up in her gut for not giving the teenager more respect.
Lucy, who had been flitting between tables, finally sat down at theirs. She had two slices of different flavour pizza, one in each hand.
“How’re you guys doing?” she asked. Then, opening her mouth wide, she fit in at least half a slice.