Page 7 of Truly, Madly, Deeply
He took another five three-point shots and swished them all. His routine to end every practice.
Across the court Coach Anders entered the gymfrom the locker room and walked toward him. “Got another call from a scout. University of Michigan.” Coach was a veteran. He’d worked at Northside for nearly two decades. “You telling your parents about these offers?”
Tommy smiled. “They know.” Not for a minute did he want to play college basketball. He’d made that decision a year ago. He wasn’t tall enough for the NBA and college hoops would take too much time. He didn’t need the scholarship. His grades would take care of that.
Coach had a basketball under his arm. “We’re talking full ride. Division I programs.”
“No thanks.” Tommy led the way to the locker room. “Someone else out there wants it more than me. You know that.”
“True.” Coach Anders shook his head. “I’ll never understand you, Baxter.”
That was okay. Lately, even Tommy’s parents struggled to understand him. “You could at least try a season of college ball,” his dad had said to him a few days ago. Tommy listened, patient. But his decision never wavered.
He bid goodbye to his coach. Then he showered, grabbed his backpack and walked across campus toward the library. Annalee would be waiting for him there.
He saw her before she saw him. Did she look thinner? More frail? She wore a white button-up sweater and her shoulders looked practically bony. Weight loss was a symptom of mono. She should’ve gone to the doctor before this. But what if…
No. Annalee was fine. Her weight loss was just a partof the virus. Or maybe she hadn’t lost weight. Maybe it was just the way she wore the sweater. Yes, that was it.
They walked to the parking lot and he helped her into his black Jeep. Before they reached the road, she turned to him. “Tommy… you aren’t afraid, right?”
“Me?” A strange panic welled up inside him, but he hid it.Don’t be worried,he told himself. He forced a laugh. “Of course not. This is just a checkup.” He reached for her hand. It felt colder than usual.
She nodded and settled into her seat. After a minute she checked the time on her phone. “We’re early. My appointment got moved back an hour.”
“Well then… I have an idea.” He turned at the next light and headed to Benson’s Bakery on Main Street. Oldest Indianapolis creamery around, and Annalee’s favorite.
A smile lifted her lips. “You’re not taking me for—”
“An iced vanilla latte?” He kept one hand on the wheel, his eyes on the road. “Yes, Annalee, I am. After what happened last time… I think it’s only right.”
She laughed and the sound was music in the air. That, combined with the wind in the trees and the bright blue sky, made Tommy relax. Everything was going to be fine. Annalee would receive her mono diagnosis, get better and move on with life.
“By the way.” Annalee shifted in her seat and stared at him. “I forgive you for last time.”
“Good.” He grinned at her. “I told you I’d make it up to you.” The store was just ahead.This was good. Her favorite coffee and funny stories.Everything was going to be fine.
Annalee’s eyes danced. “I mean… what was your excuse again? Lack of balance?”
“Like I said… I was reaching for your door.” He raised his brow. “Trying to be a gentleman.”
“I’m just teasing.” Her laughter remained. “It was an accident.”
“But who does that?” Tommy parked in the lot adjacent to Benson’s. “I reach for your door and hit your iced latte. Straight into your face.”
“It was fun explaining it to my parents.” She took a deep breath. “I laugh every time I think about it.”
As he stepped out of the Jeep, Tommy did an exaggerated bow. He eased her into his arms and his eyes held hers for a long beat. “Happy to keep you entertained.”
For a moment, all he wanted was to kiss her. But if she had mono, he’d better not. They’d been refraining just in case. He worked his hand through her silky hair, his voice a whisper. “Just don’t replace me, okay.”
Annalee stifled a laugh. She looked like she wanted to kiss him, as badly as he wanted to kiss her. But it couldn’t happen now. Not until her diagnosis.
Finally he stepped back and she took his hand. “Don’t worry, Tommy Baxter.” She smiled at him.Those green eyes.“I won’t replace you.”
“Same.” He didn’t look away. “Not now or ever.”
It’s just a checkup. Mononucleosis. Nothing more.
