Page 16 of Game On

Ryan takes that as his cue to leave. He holds out his hand to shake my dad’s, not sparing me a glance as he walks away. “The rivalry still strong, huh?” Dad asks. He’s got a look on his face I can’t place.

“You could say that,” I mutter.

He pulls me just inside the gym where he walks off to talk to Miss Lyons, the girls’ gym teacher. When he comes back, he leads me into her office. He sits in Miss Lyons’ seat, and I sit across from him. It feels like I’m in trouble, asked into the teacher’s office for a punishment. “Quintessa,” Dad starts. He just loves using my full name. “I wish you told me about moving schools. What’s going on? Why Rockport?”

If I had a dollar for every time someone asked me that, I’d be able to take Dawn for ice cream again. “I thought you’d be happy, Dad. Me, going to your alma mater.”

I think what I said will make him smile, but it doesn’t. “Is it money? Does your mom not want to pay for the tuition?”

I shake my head. “No, Dad, that’s not it.”

“I’ll pay for your tuition, Pumpkin. You know I will, if that’s what it comes down to.”

I lean forward. “It’s really not that.” I don’t want to get dragged into their arguments, but I also don’t want to tell him my plans just yet if I can help it.

“Is it the donation to the school’s sports association? I had no idea they wouldn’t fund the girls’ basketball team.”

“I know,” I tell him. My cheeks are burning, and my throat feels raw even though I haven’t told him anything yet. Maybe part of me is scared. I don’t know. My dad always said I could be just as good as any of the boys, but does he really mean that? He also didn’t realize I’d go to the lengths I am just to play basketball no matter how many times I told him I wanted to play professionally. There’s a disconnection there between what I’m saying and what he’s hearing—or understanding.

“I’ll call Broadwell right now. They’ll take you back. I’ll pay up the tuition, and I’ll make the donation. Just say the word.”

I shake my head silently. “It’s really not that.”

He rubs his hand over his head. “Then I just don’t get it, Pumpkin. Why Rockport?”

“It’s not like it’s bad, right?” I ask, chuckling a little. “You went here. I’ve made a friend already.” I won’t tell him about the enemies I’ve made. Let the Ballers’ actions come out to him when they trip up. I certainly don’t need my ‘Daddy’ to save me.

“No, I love Rockport. You know that.” He steeples his hands in front of him. “It’s not because you’re trying to get my attention, is it? I know I haven’t seen you in a week. I’ll try to be better, I’ve just been busy getting Sign-Ups ready. Don’t screw up your future because you’re mad at me.”

He looks so lost it hurts my heart. “Dad, I’m absolutely not mad at you. This really doesn’t have anything to do with you, or Mom. It has everything to do with me.” He gazes straight into me, and I can tell by the look there that he doesn’t believe me one bit. My palms start to sweat. I rub them together and then squeeze them between my knees as I look up at him again. I have to tell him. “Dad, I transferred here because I’m going to play ball for the Rockport Warriors.”

Dad’s brows pull together. “There’s no girls’ team here.”

I nod. “I’m going to play ball for the Rockport Warriorsboys’basketball team.” His eyes widen, and his mouth drops a little. “You know how important basketball is to me,” I tack on. “I’ve planned it all out. I was never going to get that good of a look playing for Broadwell, but Rockport’s one of the best in the state. I’ve looked it up, they can’t keep me from playing. Well, they can’t keep me from trying out at least. Then all I have to do is prove that I’m good enough to make the team.”

I’ve stunned him into silence. He’s just staring at me, his eyes moving over my face. “Wow.” He takes a deep breath and shakes his head. “I don’t know what to say.”

My gut twists at that. It wasn’t exactly the reaction I was hoping for. I swallow. “It’s what I want.” I’m too scared to ask him what he thought I actually meant all those times I told him I wanted to play professionally. Did he think I was joking? Does he think I’m not good enough? “I don’t want you to think me going here has anything to do with you or Mom because it doesn’t. I’m doing this for me.”

He nods slowly. “I get that. I’m still shocked, but I get that. I take it you’re doing this at Sign-Ups tonight then?”

“Please don’t tell anyone beforehand,” I beg. I honestly just don’t want the Ballers to have a chance to sabotage me. They would if they could.

“It’s certainly going to make a splash,” he says, his eyebrows raising again. I wonder if the girl wrestler’s father reacted like this when she told him she wanted to try out for the wrestling team. If he did, I pity her.

“Are you…happy?” I ask because I just can’t help it. I need to know where his head’s at.

He swings his gaze toward me. “Of course I am, Pumpkin.” He runs his hands over his head again. “It’s just none of this is what your mother and I had planned for you. Everything’s changing, and it’s just hard to take in right now, you know?”

I stand. “Well, I should head back out for class.” I had no intention of changing for gym actually. Sign-Ups is less than an hour away. There’s no way I’m going to get sweaty beforehand.

He follows me to my feet, then comes over and kisses the top of my head. He hugs my shoulders to him. “I’m proud of you, Quintessa. You’ve always gone after exactly what you want.”

I don’t look in his eyes when he says it. I just want to pretend that’s what he means instead of possibly seeing a lie on his face.

10

After gym, Dawn and I make a pit stop to the girls’ bathroom to freshen up our makeup. Then, we put our bags away and walk down to Timothy Dale Court. Dawn saw my dad when he stepped into the gym to talk with me, but when we get right next to him, she looks straight up, her head at an awkward angle, and says, “You’re tall.”

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