Page 12 of Shooting his Shot

Akari barked out a laugh. I couldn't help but smile as I headed to my car. It was so cold outside today. I couldn't wait until spring rolled in.

"Aha, my bad. I'm sorry. Wassup with you? How are you doing?"

I got in my car and started it up. "I'm good, heading to my sister's house. What about you? Did you have a good game last night? Congratulations on the win. Are you heading home today?"

Akari and his team had an away game. I hadn't seen him in two days, but I made sure I watched the game last night.

He yawned. "I'm still in bed, not trying to get out of it until it's time to catch my flight back home. The game was too damn intense. For a minute, I thought for sure we weren't going to win."

I smiled as I backed out of the driveway. "Yeah, I was on the edge of my seat watching the game."

There was silence on the other end of the phone and it had me wondering if he had hung up on me.

"Oh yeah? You watched me play?" His voice grew deeper, and I squeezed my thighs together. Gosh, he sounded so good.

"Well, yeah. I told you I'd be watching after you asked me to."

"True, true." He yawned again. "I just called to check on you and to let you know I'll be back in town later tonight."

I smiled. "Okay. Make sure you call me when you get home."

"I'll make sure I do. Talk to you later."

After I ended the call, I sighed deeply and couldn't believe I was missing Akari already. That wasn't a good sign at all.

"Girl,you are here early. What gives?" Laisley opened her door for me and let me in.

I stepped inside of the house and closed the door behind me. "My mother's letter. I am afraid to read it."

"Oh my. Girl, why are you going to read that letter? She let her feelings be known so long ago. I wouldn't even worry about it," Lailey noted.

I flopped down on her couch, dropping my head. "I know. I know. That's why I haven't read it yet. I think I should see what she said."

Laisley shook her head, taking a seat next to me. "No. Leave it alone, Avani. It's only going to put you down. You're already having nightmares. What more do you want to happen? Stop torturing yourself. You are dead to the lady, remember?"

Tears welled in my eyes, but I tried not to let any fall. "Fine, I'll throw it away."

She held out her hand. "No, give it to me. I'll make sure you don't read it."

I had a feeling Lailey was about to rip the letter up.Did I want her to do that, or did I want to read it?She was right about me torturing myself, and I didn't want to start having to take my medication again.

I went into my purse, pulled out the letter, and gave it to my sister. She wasted no time tearing up the letter and shredding it into tiny pieces.

"One thing I never want you to do is set yourself back when you've come so far. Never go back in the past unless you have to. For this woman, you don't need to. I know she's your mother, but she gave you up, plus she said that you were dead to her. Just let go."

I nodded slowly, knowing where she was coming from. "Thank you so much, Laisley. You are so good at what you do. I'm so grateful that you are in my life and that you are my sister. God did his big one when Mom and Dad adopted me."

She stared at me with tears in her eyes, and we leaned over to give each other a hug.

"Girl, here you go, making me cry."

I laughed through my tears. "How do you think I feel? But this was needed. You always come through for me when I least expect it."

"And I'm always going to do so. I love you, sis."

"Love you too." I squeezed her tighter, needing that hug from her more than anything in the world. Laisley was one of the best things to ever happen to me.

I stayed and ate breakfast with her before I left to go to work for the day.

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