Page 91 of Rebound

“Well, I’m on your dental plan, so I can find my own dentist. And you gave me a credit card.” She sticks her tongue out at me. I bend down and gently bite the tip.

“Say it,” I command.

“You first.”

I let her go, and she takes an involuntary step back. “Fine,” I concede. She gives me a smug look while she waits. “We’ll play for it. The loser says it first.” The smug smile drops from her face like I knew it would. “Unless you’re scared you can’t take me,” I taunt knowing full well she won’t back down.

She huffs again, and that competitive edge that lurks under the surface rises. “Oh, please. We’re the same level skill-wise.” I try and succeed in holding my snort. I let her score last time. I won’t let that happen today. “I’ll be right back.”

She walks off and whispers something in Jeannie’s ear. Jeannie shakes her head, and a minute later, Layla disappears from my sight.

She’s not gone long. She’s back less than two minutes later in the same beautiful dress and a pair of white sneakers.

“Aren’t you going to change your shoes?” she asks.

“No need. You’re not exactly competition.” I gesture toward the sliding glass door to the small yard. Of course, there’s a basketball hoop and a basketball. Everyone follows us, but they don’t come outside. They stand on the opposite side of the door. “You’re playing in your wedding dress?” I take off my suit jacket and drape it across a chair.

“This won’t take long,” she says, and this time, I don’t hold back my laugh.

“Okay,” I say. “You’re right for once. It won’t.” I toss the ball at her with more force than I did last time. She catches it, but I don’t miss the step back she was forced to take.

She takes a shot, but I block it, and the ball flies past her head. I run toward it, but she manages to catch it before I do. She tries to go around me, but I block her. She veers to the other side, but I manage to block that too. She attempts to throw the ball over my head, but I catch it and toss it without bothering to look behind me. I know I score because the crowd cheers, including Jeannie and Vickie.

“What are you two rooting for?” Layla asks Jeannie and Vickie.

“For love,” they both say at once.

She runs for the ball, but I get it first. I give her my back as I bounce it and score again.

“We’re playing to ten,” I say. I loosen my tie and unbutton my shirt, ready to play the most important game of my life.

“Give up now, Wakowski. That was the last basket you’re going to make.” I scoff at her overconfidence. To prove to her how little her words scare me, I throw the ball at her.

“Let’s see what you got, Wakowski,” I taunt. “Don’t worry. After you lose, I’ll still let you wear my championship ring around your neck.”

She dribbles and runs toward the hoop at the same time. I stand in front of her to block her. We’re both breathing hard. She goes around me, then fakes it and goes to the other side. She shoots and misses.

Having enough of this, I take the ball from her, determined to end this in the next two minutes. I make three more basketsin less than a minute. I toss her the ball. She shoots and misses. I score two more baskets and finally get ten points.

When we’re done, I stand there with my hands on my knees while I pant. The game wasn’t very vigorous but what’s at stake is what’s causing me to sweat.

“Go,” I say. “I’m ready. I’ve been ready for this.” I stand tall and take a few steps toward her and cup her face. “Maybe since the first time I saw you.” When all she does is look into my eyes, I say, “Speak, loser.”

“Oh, shut up,” she says. “I let you win.” She juts out her chin as she lies. “I didn’t want to embarrass you in front of your colleagues and the owner of the team. You should thank me.”

“Will you stop babbling and say the three damn words already? You’re so annoying.”

She stands tall and squares her shoulders. “Fine. A deal’s a deal, even though I let you win. So,” she says after taking a deep breath, “here goes. You have surprised me. I went from hating you to tolerating you to liking you.”

“Jesus, three little words, woman! Enough with the blabbering. I don’t need a speech.”

“I’m gonna take as long as I need to take, so shut your trap and listen for once.” She takes a deep breath before she continues. “You’re a wonderful loving dad. The most loyal and caring son. I guess it was inevitable that I would get here. So, Seth Wakowski, I have fallen in love with you.”

I take her hands in mine and kiss the back of them.

“God, you talk too damn much. That’s always been your problem. All you had to say was this. I love you. See how that works.” She bites her lip and tears spring into her eyes. They fall down her cheeks until I wipe them away.

“You love me?” she chokes out.

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