Page 39 of Delay of Game

“You don’t know that,” Tangela says in a frustrated voice. She’s always so softspoken and kind that I’m taken aback by her tone.

“Look,” I say, swallowing hard. “This is my decision. I need to do what’s best for me and right now that means getting on a plane to Texas and finding a place to live.” Maybe that makes me a coward, but the truth is, I don’t want to face any of it. I’m not strong enough to handle it.

“You’ll regret it, little brother.”

“Maybe,” I whisper. “Please don’t tell anyone. I’ll handle the goodbyes myself,” I say, and hang up.

Alice

By the timeI get to my apartment, I’ve started to worry. I haven’t heard anything from Jordan or the rest of my family when I texted the group chat.

My phone chimes and I rush to get it out, dropping a bag of groceries on the floor of my kitchen.

“Shit,” I mumble, taking inventory of the key limes that are rolling around. Those are supposed to go in a pie, not on the floor.

When I look back at my phone, I see it’s a text from Olivia.

Olivia

How are you holding up?

I frown. What is she talking about? I start typing back a response but Jordan’s caller ID pops up on my screen. I quickly swipe to answer and bring the phone between my ear and shoulder, crouching down to pick up the limes.

“Hello?”

“Hey. I’m downstairs. Can you buzz me in?” Jordan says in a flat voice, and I instantly know something bad has happened.

“Yeah. Are you okay? I’ve been worried, you didn’t answer me all day and?—”

“I’m fine,” he says. It’s short and clipped and my heart stutters. Is he mad at me?

Abandoning the limes, I make it to the front door and buzz him in, waiting with the front door open and the phone still at my ear. The line goes silent, and I slowly blink at it. What is happening right now?

Jordan makes it up the stairs and walks towards me with a quick stride, but it’s all wrong. He doesn’t wear the smile I got so used to the past month, the one that says he’s happy to see me. And he definitely doesn’t greet me with a scorching kiss and his hands all over me. In fact, he avoids my gaze altogether and walks past me into the apartment.

I swallow the lump in my throat and slowly close the door, taking my time to turn around and face him.

“Have you heard yet?” he asks, staring at my plush pink carpet.

“Heard what, J? What is going on?”

Jordan purses his lips and shakes his head, and I can’t tell if he’s irritated with me or with himself.

“I’m leaving,” he says, matter-of-fact.

I sigh, having no goddamn clue what he’s talking about. “Okay, like on a trip? Don’t you have some time until the playoffs start?” I ask, confused.

“No.Fuck,” he says, his deep voice booming in the quiet of my apartment. “I’m being traded.”

I blink and shake my head, not certain I heard him right. Did he just saytraded?

“I’m moving to Texas. Tomorrow,” he repeats, more firmly this time.

My breath comes out in a rush, and I try to speak, but words fail me. I’m like a fish out of water. Jordan paces the floor of my apartment, his shoulders broad and imposing, his hands planted on his hips. I’d laugh if it wasn’t for the fact he just told me he’s leaving.

“Okay, so you’re getting traded,” I say, nodding to myself, making sense of it all. I could get another teaching job somewhere else. I could go with him. Unless …

“Why didn’t you tell me this morning when you got the call?” I ask, crossing my hands over my chest. That must have been what got him so freaked out he had to leave his own place.

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