Page 56 of Full Court Crush

Later that evening, Keira cleared up her and her dad’s dinner plates, washing them in the sink. Her dad had settled in his usual chair, and was snoring lightly. Her gloved hands were covered with soap suds when her phone rang in her pocket. She ripped off the gloves and quickly shut the kitchen door. Simultaneously, she picked up her phone to answer the call. She hesitated when she saw it was Amelia calling, as a teenage-crush panic rose in her throat. She chastised herself for being so silly, then answered.

“Hey,” she squeaked, before immediately flushing red. She was glad it was only a voice call.

“Hey,” Amelia said. Keira heard a car indicator in the background; it sounded like Amelia was driving with her on speakerphone. “I’m sorry I’ve been so distant; work has been manic,” Amelia said.

“It’s okay, I know you’re busy.”

“Yeah, but that’s no excuse for neglecting you.”

A warmth spread through her at Amelia’s gentle tone.

“How was your run? Did you…bump into anyone?” Amelia asked, tone mischievous. Keira laughed, and the tension drained out of her shoulders as she leant back on the counter behind her.

“No, I didn’t mortally wound anyone on my run,” she replied, rolling her eyes. “I got rather wet, though.”

“Oh, did you now?” Amelia’s suggestive tone made Keira’s cheeks heat. She was acutely aware her father was in the next room.

“I am not going to dignify that with a response.”

Amelia chuckled down the line.

“What else have you done today?” Amelia asked. The indicator sounded again in the background. Keira hesitated. She’s spent a long time being fiercely independent, barely accepting help, even from Sonia. She didn’t want to admit weaknesses to Amelia. But the near miss with the electricity had scared her.

“I had to do an emergency run to the corner shop to top up the electric metre,” she said quietly.

“Oh?”

“Our electricity got cut off.” She sighed. “I feel so stupid.”

“Hey, no," Amelia soothed. “Accidents happen, right?”

“Yes, but—”

“No buts. You wouldn’t speak to me like that, so don’t speak to yourself like that either. You don’t deserve it.”

“But I put Dad’s medication at risk.”

She could almost hear the pity in her silence.

“Would it help if I sent you some money to put on the electricity, to give you a buffer?” Amelia asked.

“No, it’s okay. I’ve topped it up now.”

“I know, but—”

“We’re not charity cases,” she interjected more harshly than she meant to.

“I didn’t say you were,” Amelia said softly. “It’s okay to need help sometimes.”

“Says the person who refuses to let anyone help her.”

They lapsed into silence. Keira’s muscles had tensed back up, reacting like Amelia’s offer of help was a threat. Amelia meant well, but the idea of taking money, and therefore pity, from her friends made her nauseous. The idea of taking money from someone she’d recently seen naked was even worse.

“Did you see my text, about meeting up this weekend?” Keira asked, changing the subject.

“Yes, I can’t do this weekend, sorry, but what about next weekend? We could visit the Christmas market?” Amelia suggested.

“Ooohhh, I love the market.”