Page 11 of The Only Shot that Mattered

Alanzo’s eyes grew wide as he looked up at his grandmother. “Did you hear that, Gigi?”

“I did.” She smiled down at him and then looked at Damien. “But you don’t have to do that. I’m sure you’re busy.”

Damien stood and reached his hand out for her to shake. “Annalise, right?”

Annalise blushed, and Kenna hid a grin behind her hand. It seemed she wasn’t the only one falling victim to Damien’s charm.

“Yes,” Annalise finally confirmed.

Damien showed her his pearly whites. “I would love to come by and watch him play sometime. Maybe give him some pointers. Does he play for a team?”

Annalise’s blush turned to one of embarrassment. “No, I plan to get him on his school team next year when he’s in the first grade. They have a kindergarten team. They’re really cute, but I couldn’t afford the… well, never mind that. Next year he will be. I have a little hoop in our yard I got from the thrift store. It’s not the best, but it serves its purpose.”

Damien peered down at her for several seconds before nodding and pulling his phone out of his black joggers. “May I have your number? That way I can get in touch with you about setting up a date to hang out with lil man. I also want to leave you two with season passes. No pressure, but any home game we have for the rest of the season you’re welcome to come enjoy.”

“Oh my, Mr. Blaze, this is too much?—”

“I assure you, it’s not.” He offered her a small smile before Annalise hesitantly rattled off her number while he typed it into his phone. When he finished, he focused on Cam. “Cam, right?”

“Yes, sir. The one and only,” Cam confirmed with a wide grin.

Damien chuckled. “I hope you enjoyed yourself.”

“Boy, did I. And if any of your teammates bat for the other team, please send them my way.”

Kenna shook her head in embarrassment. Cam had absolutely no shame. When he wanted something, he let it be known.

“I’ll keep that in mind.” Damien’s features remained kind, and he maintained eye contact with Cam, which Kenna respected. Most men would have walked away by now from discomfort, but Damien treated Cam like a human being instead of a contagious disease, and that meant a lot to Kenna. It showed his kind nature, and she appreciated that.

Finally, his eyes landed on her, and she squirmed in place but didn’t break eye contact as she looked up at him.

“Kenna.”

She breathed in. It didn’t go over her head that her name was the only one he didn’t have to confirm. Instead, he said it confidently, like he couldn’t possibly forget it in a million years.

“Damien,” she said breathlessly, feeling her words catching in her throat as she stared up at him.

“I’m curious, Kenna. How did you enjoy the game?”

“It… kept my attention.”

He chuckled. “I’m glad you were entertained. Are you not much of a sports fan?”

“What gave it away?” She felt self-conscious, like he was dissecting her with his eyes and peering into her heart.

His eyes traveled the length of her body, causing goosebumps to cover every surface of her skin. “Just a guess. Am I right?”

She nodded shyly.

“But Cam plays with lots of balls,” Alanzo interrupted, practically bursting at the seams in excitement. Everyone looked at Alanzo, and while Cam grinned widely at the loud admission, Kenna covered her face in embarrassment as she giggled incredulously while Annalise slapped the back of Alanzo’s head. “Ouch. What I do, Gigi?”

“Sometimes it’s best to just hush,” she scolded, a dark tint covering her.

“Oh, Annalise,” Cam said, walking over to her and patting her back. “It’s okay. The lil rugrat didn’t say nothing false.”

Damien and the woman with him laughed as they watched the interaction before Damien asked, “And y’all just met?” After several heads nodding, he shook his head. “Seems like you’ve known each other a long time.”

It felt that way to Kenna, too, which pushed her completely out of her comfort zone. The only people she talked to were her parents and Cam. The only people who even had her number were them and some people from work. Meeting Annalise and Alanzo was a curveball, but one she thought she welcomed. Shewas fortunate to have a healthy savings. Since she didn’t do anything… ever… she was able to accumulate a good nest for herself. She didn’t mind spending some of that to help Annalise out. She seemed genuine, and those kinds of people were Kenna’s soft spot.

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