Page 77 of The Pass Protection
Bret cuts across the lane, jumping in the air to go against her opponent. She’s able to steal the ball. She throws it ahead to a waiting teammate as everyone sprints to the other side of the court. Her teammate sees Bret weaving through the defense, and he throws her the ball. Stopping outside of the lane, I watch in fascination as Bret shoots the perfect shot. My smile slides free as I’m unable to contain my excitement.
My phone buzzing in my pocket startles me. Sliding it from my pocket, I see Saylor’s face illuminating from the screen. It’s a selfie of the two of us from last Christmas. Declining the call, I type out a quick text message.
Me: I’m watching a basketball game. Everything good?
Within seconds, a new message pops up.
Saylor: Ugh, ditching me for sports? It’s such a Crew thing to do.
Saylor: Yes, everything is fine. Just miss my big brother.
Me: Miss you too, sis.
Glancing up from my phone, I watch a few minutes of the game. Bret’s now guarding a guy dressed as a pirate, hook for a hand, and everything. Seriously, how does this guy think he’s going to play? Commotion from the other end of the gym has me turning my head. Both Coach Campbell and Grant are standing in the doorway.
Fuck my life.
I’m so glad I found a full costume to wear for tonight. The buzzing of my phone has me returning to Saylor’s conversation.
Saylor: What basketball game are you watching? Doesn’t college basketball start next week?
Me: How do you know that?
Saylor: A guy I’m talking to is on our high school team, and he told me that college starts next week. I guess he has tickets to Ohio State’s first game. *shrug emoji*
Me: What does talking to mean?
Saylor: The same thing it meant when you were in school, Grandpa.
Me: What’s his name?
Saylor: Not doing this…
Saylor: Hey! You avoided the question.
Me: It’s an intramural game.
Saylor: Ew, why?
Me: *image of Bret dressed as Lola Bunny dribbling the basketball down the court.*
Saylor: OMG stop! You’ve got it bad, big brother. Are you watching Bret play basketball? Why is shedressed as a bunny?
Me: Haven’t you ever seen Space Jam?
Saylor: Sure, I watched it at Tony Deluca’s house…
Me: …Saylor.
Saylor: But why is she dressed in costume?
Me: Halloween-themed game.
Saylor: Please tell me you’re sitting in the gym dressed as some superhero.
Me: *Selfie of me dressed in an all-black Batman costume*
Saylor: *laughing emoji* New screensaver.
