Page 95 of The Fadeaway
“Christian is a good kid,” I say and we both look to our son who has lost interest in the game and is rolling the small Valley basketball Joel got him around the basement. “You both just need more time together. He’s getting that now and I think it’s been good for him.”
“Yeah, he is a good kid. I can’t take any credit for that. It was all you. Thank you for that and about a million other things.”
Maybe that’s all I needed to hear – the acknowledgment that I’ve done well and that he’s noticed because all the lingering resentment I’ve held on to from the past three years disappears with that statement. I’m hopeful that this really will be a fresh start for all of us.
“Also, for what it’s worth, I think you should give the guy a real chance. He’s definitely got Christian’s seal of approval.”
“What do you mean a real chance?”
Victor grins. “Don’t write him off at the first screw up. You seem like you’ve already made up his mind for him.” He holds his hands up defensively as I open my mouth to protest. Joel made his mind and feelings very clear. “Look, I know I have like no room to talk when it comes to self-development, but your tendency is to close off, bite your tongue, and stew in silence. That and my lack of balls is the reason this is the first time we’ve had a real conversation in three years.”
“I can’t force him to feel something he doesn’t. And even if he did feel the same, what if he can’t be what I need?” I voice my real concerns out loud. Being responsible for a tiny human means I can’t settle or accept less than I deserve, even if I think I’d be willing to take any scraps Joel would give me if things were different.
“Then at least you can move on knowing you gave it your all. But right now, looking at you, I know you are still hoping for him to change his mind. Maybe he’s having the same reservations.”
The game ends late and at Nadine’s insistence, I find myself in the guest room staying the night. Valley won, and I hold my phone over my face debating on texting Joel. I can’t believe I’m about to take Victor’s advice, of all people.
Me: Congrats on the game! Christian and I watched. We’ll be cheering you on Monday!
My phone rings a minute later with a video call.
“Hey,” I answer, heart in throat as Joel’s face appears on the screen. It’s the first time I’ve seen him in weeks.
“Hey yourself.” He props a hand behind his head, and I can tell he’s lying in bed.
“Shouldn’t you be out celebrating?”
“I’ll celebrate Monday night when we win. Until then, eat, sleep, ball.”
I hear Nathan grumble in the background and Joel flips him off. “I gotta go, Kitty, just wanted to see your face. Tell little man I said hey.”
“I will. Night.”
He smiles into the phone, the sexy cocky smirk I fell in love with, and my heart squeezes. “Night, Kitty.”
40
Joel
Z’s tearsmix with my own. I’m crying like a baby and I don’t even care. We won. Valley University has its first NCAA basketball championship trophy and our team has done something each one of us has dreamt about.
We take turns cutting the net down, there are interviews after interviews. It’s the best type of insanity. The greatest moment of my entire life, one I’ll never ever forget. My parents and sisters are watching down from their seats and there’s a comfort and sense of contentment that flows along with the excitement.
It’s late by the time the crowd clears, we shower, and head to the mixer for players, family, and whoever else was deemed important enough.
“Congratulations.” Michelle moves to me first and hugs me tightly. She’s covered head to toe in blue and yellow. So much Valley pride runs through her blood there’s no doubt she’ll be a proud Valley U student as soon as she graduates high school.
Bree doesn’t hug me, but she does smile and tell me good game which is as much as I can expect from her. She’s graduating high school this year and already stated loud and clear she’s going anywhere but Valley. She hasn’t applied anywhere else, so I’m calling bullshit.
“We’re so proud of you.” My mother places both hands on my face before pulling me to her.“Estamos muy orgullosos de ti. Siempre.”
I remember Nathan is behind me, his family couldn’t be here, and I realize how much it must suck to have no one here. I turn to him and wrap an arm around his shoulders and pull him into the circle before dropping my arm. “And we’ve got another shot to get back here next year.”
“It was a hell of a year. One you should both be really proud of,” my dad says in his official Valley president voice, but then softens as he says, “Don’t spend too much time celebrating before you get back to work for next season.”
Nathan smiles at that and holds up his arm and we bump fists. We make the rounds, saying hello to teammates, families, and anyone else that wants a moment of our time – which seems to be everyone.
When I can sneak away, I check my phone. Still nothing from Kitty. With about a million people patting my back and congratulating me on my contribution to the victory, it’s her words I want more than anyone else. She’d sent me a good luck message before the game, her and Christian’s faces pushed together, and I could tell they were both wearing their Valley shirts.
