Page 34 of The Tip-Off
I get his attention, which isn’t hard since our eyes seem to constantly be snagging, and motion with my head for him to follow me. I slowly back away from the girls and head to the stairs that lead down to the lake. Zeke meets me on the bottom stair.
“Is it time for the skinny dipping already?” he teases.
“Even better.”
On the dock, I stop next to a jet ski. Zeke looks from it to me and back. “You know how to drive that thing?”
“I saw Joel start it earlier.”
He watches me as I stow my cell phone in a cabinet and then ease myself down onto the jet ski, crossing his arms over his chest, an amused expression on his face.
“Well, come on. I need an accomplice.”
He tosses me a life jacket and I put it on. Good call. “More like a chaperone.” His weight rocks the jet ski and I hold on tight until he gets settled behind me. “Maybe I should drive.”
“No way.” My hands shake as I focus on the controls trying to remember the exact steps Joel took.
“You good?”
“I got this.”
15
Zeke
We putter around the lake.There’s really no other way to describe the way she drives. Gabby, a slow driver? I did not expect that. She goes all out in every other aspect of her life.
Her expression is all determination and focus as she steers the jet ski. Slowly the speed increases and just when I think we’re going to go more than ten miles per hour, she backs off. Again.
My arms are draped loosely around her waist, but at her hesitation, I move my hands to cover hers on the handlebars. She relinquishes control easily but doesn’t move her hands as I increase the speed and navigate us around the lake. Sensing her unease, I keep it a little slower than I’d go if I were by myself.
The longer we ride, the more tension eases from her shoulders and her body leans back into mine. After we’ve circled the lake, I drive us back to the cabin, stopping and letting us idle before returning to our friends.
“It’s really beautiful out here,” she says, dropping her arms. She angles her body to the side, giving me a better view of her as she takes in the lake. “I could stay here forever.”
“Yeah, it’s pretty nice, but we should probably get back before they send out a search party. Joel is monitoring my fun this weekend to make sure I’m having the appropriate amount.”
“And are you, having the appropriate amount?”
“Yeah, it’s cool being up here.”
“But?”
“How do you know there’s a but?”
She arches a brow.
“But, it’s bad timing. I don’t have a lot of time left before the draft. Sara wants me to drop some weight, be more on target with the weight of a typical NBA center and I’m trying to stay sharp, keeping up with my workouts and drills.”
“I get that. You’re so close and you want to do everything you can, but you’ve gotta enjoy these moments.” Her tone is wistful, and her features inspired as she looks out to the water and the blue sky that stretches into the mountains. “After the accident when I was sitting up in my room too embarrassed to face my friends because of the scars, it was moments like this that I missed the most. I’d fantasize about hanging out and just being, no cares in the world. When it’s all said and done, it’s the human interaction you remember the most. Personal goals, awards, they don’t mean anything without people to share them with.” She turns to look at me. “When you’re a big NBA star traveling around the country with fans screaming and paparazzi everywhere, you’re going to miss this.”
My throat is thick as I swallow. “I think you’re right about that.”
Her smile widens. Blonde hair blowing like a halo around her, skin sun-kissed, eyes the color of the water you see in those commercials for vacations where you stay in the little huts. Before I do something stupid like kiss her, I turn to watch a boat pass by, giving them a small wave.
“How’s the list going?” My voice comes out gruff and I clear it before I continue. "Check off online dating yet?” My chest is tight while I wait for her response. Picturing her hooking up with some asshole who doesn’t know how amazing she is, makes me want to keep her out here on this jet ski forever.
“I can’t bring myself to respond to any of the messages. I don’t think it’s for me. I kept the profile, though. The pickup lines are a nice boost to my ego.” She laughs. “Wanna hear the worst one?”
