Page 62 of On Merit Alone
Reaching my free hand over, I plucked the icy water bag off of Ira’s face and was met immediately by his eyes. They were softer now. Still sad, still so disappointed, but less angry. He stared back at me, both our heads laying on the ground.
I lowered my voice, matching my volume unconsciously to the sudden intimacy of the moment. “You have done amazing things. Youarean amazing thing. So, no matter what happened to your knee today, you’re going to get through it, Ira. Alright?”
He swallowed audibly, his eyes brushing up and down as he looked over my face. Closing his, he cursed under his breath. “I’m out, Six. For the rest of the tournament.”
I hissed, my fears of the worst confirmed with that one sentence. I tried not to show my own pity, but truthfully, I was devastated for him. “What is it?”
“It’s just a strain,” he said but he smacked his lips, ripping his gaze away from mine and groaning up at the ceiling. “The lamest injury with the worst possible timing.”
“Don’t wish worse on yourself. It’s good that it’s only a strain. A lot can happen on that knee and if you tore it again—” I broke off, my own fears beginning to leak into my voice rather than staying the strong friend I was supposed to be for him right now.
He noticed, and he clamped down on my hand tighter in response. “I’m sorry, you’re right. I just—I’m just torn up, Mer. I’m not going to be able to play in the last game of the finals, and I hate to say it, but?—”
“But?” I coaxed.
He peeked over at me, then abruptly turned his head away as he whispered, “But I don’t think it’s going to go well.”
My heart sank. I sort of thought the same, but I would never want to say so out loud. Ira was right about mindset and manifestation. It was powerful in both ways. I didn’t want to manifest negatively for him. A guy who was so positive all the time.
Instead of agreeing, I leaned into his shoulder more. “So… why are we whispering?”
He turned his head, and instead of the smile I thought it would bring to his face, all I saw was dread. “Because saying so out loud would mean I’m the asshole who doesn’t believe in his team. And I don’t want to be.”
This time I was the one to squeeze his hand. “Then don’t, Ira. So you’re on the sidelines for a few games? You’re still a part of the team. They still need you and every ounce of belief you have in them. And even if that fails, you still have next season, and the season after that.”
His voice was hoarse as he said, “No I don’t.”
“No you don’t what?”
“No, I don’t have—I wasn’t planning on…” he trailed off on a sigh, and I found myself sitting up to look at him, trying to decipher what he could possibly be saying. Closing his eyes for a few extra seconds, he took a breath and tried again. “After this season, my contract is up, and I was thinking about maybe?—”
He didn’t get to finish that statement, because a banging sound was suddenly reverberating through the house. I jerked slightly and Ira rose. Sitting up and placing a hand at my elbow as he craned his neck toward the door.
“Pizza?” he asked.
Looking down at my phone, I shook my head. We still had another few minutes left until they showed up. Then, like an idiot, Iput two and two together way too late to school my emotions. Hastily, I said, “If it’s like, a girl or something I can leave.”
“What?” he hissed. “Why the fuck would it be some other girl, Six?”
Other girl. Word choice, King. Why was he always throwing me off with the things he said?
I shrugged looking away from him to hide my annoying questioning heart. “I dunno. I know how you guys are, I guess.”
He scoffed. “Merit, look at me, please.”
I did.
“I know we’re just getting to know each other, and I understand that there’s a certain perception that follows me as a ball player. But I need you to hear me when I tell you, I will never invite you over here with another girl in tow. Never.”
I bit my lip but nodded. Turning my head so I wouldn’t have to look at his assessing gaze, I asked, “Then who is banging on your door like they’re the freaking police?”
“Dunno,” he said. “Maybe the pizza is just early or something.”
Hopping up, and pulling my arm out of his electric touch, I said, “I’ll go see.”
“Woah, woah, Six. Hold up.” His hand shot out to hold onto me. “Let’s just check before you go. I can’t really run after you if somebody tries to steal you from me.”
From him.
