Page 79 of Full Court Crush

“That’s not the same.” Keira squeezed her arm; it was reassuring.

“Isn’t it?” Amelia asked, though perhaps rhetorically. The truth hit her like a slap in the face. She’d kept Keira at arm’s length because of her parents’ expectations of perfection and success over everything else. How they’d almost religiously conditioned her to follow the rules and put everyone else's needs first. She’d simply applied that to basketball, even though her parents didn’t approve of the sport, relationships, and every other aspect of her life. She kept all her emotions in neatly organised boxes, carefully locked away and contained for fear they would jeopardise the constant battle for perfection she would never,everwin.

She felt like she’d been sucker-punched. Her therapist would be proud. She looked up at Keira, still holding her arm and smiling at her.

What have I done?

Amelia searched Keira’s eyes for something, anything, any kind of breadcrumb of hope. Keira smiled and squeezed her arm again, before turning and picking up the television remote.

“How about a film? A good rom-com always makes me feel a bit better when I’m sad.”

Amelia wanted to say no. Wanted to ask Keira to turn back around, confess how she felt, and beg for another chance. But she had no right to do that. Not yet.

After the film was over, and the half-finished-half-melted tub of ice cream was safely in the freezer, Keira got up to leave as she needed to get back to her dad. Amelia walked her to the door, hovering while Keira shoved her feet back into her shoes.

“Thank you for coming over,” Amelia said, voice earnest.

“That’s what friends are for, right?” Keira didn’t look at her, still fighting with her shoes.

Friendswas another punch to the gut, even if Amelia really appreciated her friendship right now.

“I’ll see you soon, okay?” Keira said, one hand on the door.

After a second, Keira turned and engulfed Amelia in a hug. Amelia buried her hands in Keira’s coat, squeezing her tightly. Keira kept her in the protective embrace for several seconds, and Amelia felt like the rest of her problems just…melted away. Just for that moment.

When Keira pulled away, she kept hold of one of Amelia’s hands, letting it hang between them. Amelia searched her eyes and found a distinct look of longing. Keira’s eyes flicked to Amelia’s lips, and hope bloomed within Amelia like an orchard in spring promising to bear fruit. She opened her mouth to say something, anything, but Keira was already halfway out of the door, whispering a quick ‘bye’ without looking back.

Keira got in her car and drove away with a wave. Amelia folded her arms across her chest, already missing the warmth of Keira’s embrace.

Once Keira’s car was out of sight, Amelia shut the door and returned to the living room. She picked up the gin glasses, taking them to the kitchen to wash up. She then cleaned the kitchen, not out of rage, just something to do while she processed whatever had just happened by the front door.

It was there, wasn’t it? That look? Or was her desperate heart imagining things? She thought about her parents, about how their fear of anything less than perfection had paralysed Amelia and stopped her taking risks.

Living in your comfort zone isn’t really living.

She stopped cleaning, opened social media, and scrolled to Sonia’s profile.

Hi, I know we’ve never spoken, but I imagine Keira has told you about what happened between us. The last thing I want to do is cause more harm, so as weird as this feels, I have to ask — has she moved on? Or do we still have a chance?

She sent the message and returned to cleaning. It wasn’t long before she got a reply.

I mean, I sure as hell don’t trust you, but Keira still seems to. I know she misses you. You better not screw it up again.

I won’t. And I have an idea. But I need your help.

Chapter 23

Keira

AsKeiraapproachedHeathPark, she didn’t know what to expect. Amelia had been nervous at training when she’d asked Keira to meet her this weekend. But she’d seemed happier and more relaxed than she had been recently.

Maybe that’s what happens when I’m not around and making things complicated for her. The sun shone down through a cloudless sky, with a light breeze rustling the bare branches of the nearby trees. Amelia hadn’t said where they were going or how long for, so Keira had wrapped up warm, but the unseasonably warm weather meant she was taking off her coat just before she reached the park.

“Hi,” Amelia said when Keira rounded the corner.

Amelia looked radiant, like she was attending a professional photo shoot, rather than just going for a walk in the park. Her hair cascaded down in waves, the light glinting off it as if it was weaved with golden threads. She wore a thick woolly jumper, with the shirt collar poking out the top, and jeans with fluffy boots. Keira was so distracted by her beauty she caught her toe on a fallen branch.

Keira stumbled and braced for impact, but she needn’t have worried. Amelia took one step forward and deftly caught her. The warmth of her hands radiated through Keira’s hoodie. She felt massively underdressed. Steadying her, Amelia looked deep into her eyes with a smile.