Page 1 of The Tip-Off
1
Zeke
Watchinga grown man intentionally lose a game of PIG is downright embarrassing. The things people do for love.
I shake my head at Wes as I rebound the basketball from his weak shot attempt. The odds of him missing three in a row are as bad as my own and I could have made any one of those shots blindfolded.
I gotta hand it to him, though, he’s a pretty good actor and his girlfriend is eating it up.
“That’s G for you. I win!” Blair squeals and jumps up and down in front of my buddy, her ponytail swinging wildly like a whip. I toss her the ball and she brings it up over her head in victory and turns in a circle calling out to me and the rest of my roommates who are hanging around our half-court gym. “Reigning PIG champion, folks. You don’t want any of this.”
I chuckle and she steps toward me. “Come on, big guy. Let’s see what the number one NBA draft picks got.”
“Projected. He hasn’t been drafted yet.” Wes wraps both arms around his girl and tugs her to him.
“Thanks for the vote of confidence,” I tell him dryly.
“Just want to make sure you don’t start slacking, letting the media’s hard-on for you go to your head.”
I resist the urge to continue our banter by telling him to fuck off since Blair is present. My mom would lose her shit if she knew I was dropping F-bombs in front of girls. Besides, I know that underneath the jokes, no one has my back like Wes does.
“Let’s go, senorita,” Joel draws out the word, exaggerating the pronunciation as he pulls his shirt over his head and tosses it out of bounds.
“What’d I tell you about using the Spanish on my girlfriend?” Wes asks, not letting go of Blair.
Nathan sets his beer next to Joel’s shirt and pushes him out of the way. “I got this. I’m three beers in and unbeatable.”
It’s a rare weeknight that we’re all home at the same time. Since the season ended, we’ve each fallen into our own routines. Wes spending more time with Blair, Joel spending more time with his girlfriend Katrina, and Nathan doing whatever it is Nathan does. I’ve been right here making sure I do everything I can to get that top pick Wes is ragging me about.
In less than two months Wes and I will be graduating. He’s staying in Valley as the team’s newest assistant coach, so it’s really just me that’s leaving, and man that feels weird. Exciting too, though. I don’t know where I’m going yet. East Coast, West Coast, Midwest. Honestly, I don’t care so long as I can keep playing ball.
“Actually, I’m gonna have to take a raincheck.” Blair bounces the ball to Nathan. “Vanessa and Gabby should be here any minute to pick me up for girls’ night.” She turns in Wes’ arms and they get tangled up kissing and groping like she won’t be back later tonight. She sleeps over every night.
My buddy has it bad and I’m happy for him. Blair’s a solid chick.
“Speaking of,” Nathan says and nods to the door as Gabby and Vanessa enter.
Joel and I hang back as everyone else walks over to greet them. I watch Gabby smile and hug Blair and then Nathan. She just moved to Valley, but she and Blair went to high school together and have remained tight, so she’s quickly becoming a regular face at the house.
Her long blonde hair is down, and she keeps her chin tilted down ever-so-slightly so the long strands fall into her face. Her gaze meets mine over Nathan’s shoulder and I hold my breath. I don’t know what it is about her, but when she’s in the room, my palms tingle with anticipation like I’m about to walk out on the floor before a game.
Completely unaware, Joel dribbles in front of me blocking my view of Gabby. I step to the side, but she’s not looking at me anymore. “Hey, man, you busy tomorrow night?”
“No, I don’t think so. Why?”
“Blair wants to have a party for Gabby. Thought we’d take it one step further and throw a surprise party for all the girls. One last big hurrah. You in?”
“Sounds good,” I say absently and turn to the basket and shoot a jumper.
“I’m not even gonna tell Wes until tomorrow so there’s less of a chance he slips and tells Blair.”
“Good call.” I glance back like I’m looking at the happy couple, but they’re not who my eyes settle on.
“You and Wes are going to ride over and pick us up. The girls and I’ll be at the theater for Katrina’s play. Then we’ll ride back to the house together. Cool?”
“I guess so.” I dribble the ball and watch Gabby talk animatedly to the group – eyes bright and hands waving in the air.
Joel takes two steps backward to the door. “I’m heading to Katrina’s. Don’t forget about tomorrow. Oh, and wear something nice. The limo will be downstairs at eight o’clock. Be there or be lame.”
