Page 87 of Full Court Crush
Epilogue: 5 months later
Keira
Keiraunlatchedthesidegate and led Amelia around to the back of Coach Grant’s house. The team had gathered to watch a WNBA game on the outdoor projector on a warm July evening. She carried several packets of corn on the cob, and Amelia had made a potato salad to go with the barbecue Michael was cooking. Chairs, pillows, and a couple of bean bags lay scattered on the lawn, all facing a pull-down projector screen.
“Oh, thanks, just put those over there, please.” Michael waved a wire brush at an empty fold-out table, then returned to scrubbing the grill. “I’ll have this going shortly. Drinks are inside.” Jenna bustled around him, unfolding some camping chairs and tidying up after him.
Amelia put down the bowl as instructed and wiped her hands, damp from the condensation, on her shorts. She looked momentarily confused, then shoved her hands inside her pockets.
“Shit, I forgot my keys.” She checked her pockets again.
“It’s okay, I’ve got mine.” Keira put down her container as well. “You’ve probably left yours on the kitchen counter again.”
They got some drinks and had returned to outside when the gate creaked open. Evie walked in, pushing four week old Annabelle in her pram; TJ walked behind, carrying a large backpack full of baby supplies.
“Oh, my gosh, hi!” Amelia said. Her voice was so high-pitched that Keira almost didn’t recognise it. She stepped up next to the navy blue pram and peered inside, finding a sleeping cherub face.
“No touching, please. She’s still so new.”
“Of course. She’s so cute.” Keira placed her hands on Amelia’s shoulders as they stared down at the tiny miracle.
“I’m going to take her inside,” Evie said quietly. “I don’t want her out in the sun too much.”
“I can do it,” Jenna appeared at their side as if summoned by the new baby smell.
“Here, let me,” Michael said, almost hip-checking both Evie and Jenna out of the way as he escorted his young granddaughter inside, still wearing his chef’s apron.
“I guess we’re off duty for a few hours,” TJ said and slung the bag down next to a beanbag, collapsing into it, his eyes already half closed.
Amelia and Keira took turns gently hugging Evie, who seemed happy despite the dark rings under her eyes.
“How is it all going?” Amelia asked, gently guiding Evie to a chair.
“Oh, you know…” Evie said. “I don’t remember what sleep is. I feel like a cow on a dairy farm. But it’s worth it.” After a moment, she said, “I can’t lie, though. I can’t wait to get back to basketball. Even if I’m on maternity leave for another eight months. I’ve missed it.”
“And we’ve missed you.” Keira sat down next to her.
“You guys seemed to do alright without me last season, finishing with four wins.” Evie sulked.
“We could have done better with you, though!” Amelia interjected.
“Thanks, guys.”
“We’ve done well enough to get more funding for next season, at least,” Amelia continued with a knowing smile.
“Oh?” Keira asked. It was the first she’d heard of it. “For what?”
“You’ll find out soon,” Amelia said cryptically.
The rest of the team arrived in dribs and drabs, bringing various small containers of food with them. Except for Lucy, who turned up with a ridiculous number of burger and hot dog buns. Asha rolled her eyes and helped her best friend unload the giant stack of bread.
It wasn’t long before the back garden filled with the sound of playful banter among their teammates relaxing after a long season. Coach Grant fiddled with the projector for about ten minutes before the game was due to start. Everyone got excited, talking loudly, but TJ quickly shushed them.
“Annabelle is still sleeping!” he said, looking accusatory around at everyone. Evie put a calming hand on his arm.
“She’ll have to get used to it, if she’s going to come to games with us,” Evie said gently. TJ grumbled, but he didn’t disagree.
It wasn’t long before the game got underway. Keira quickly pointed out Sonia on the bench, and tensed up every time there was a chance for her to be subbed in.