Page 43 of Most Valuable Players
I shrug. “Not really. I know I should be thinking about it, making a plan, but I just can’t. I need to focus on the season and the season alone, and when it’s over, I’ll figure out what’s next. Speaking of, I don’t know any way to say this that doesn’t make me sound like a conceited prick, so I’m just going to say it.”
She raises both eyebrows but nods for me to continue. “Dating isn’t really an option for me right now. Vanessa is right, you deserve more than anything I can give you.”
“So, this is our first and last date?” Her voice is filled with humor. Not what I expected.
“I like hanging out with you. I’d like to see more of you, but I can’t make any promises beyond that.”
“Vanessa means well, but what she wants for me and what I want aren’t the same thing. I’ve dated guys who promised me the world and didn’t make good on it. I appreciate your honesty, and I get it.” She grabs my hand and interlaces our fingers. I’ve avoided touching her too much tonight, because I’m finding that, with Blair, each touch only makes me want her more. “You have an incredible gift. I don’t know if I’ve ever loved anything as much as you love basketball, and I can’t pretend to understand your fear, but I know the things I’m most scared of tend to be the things that push me the most. No risk, no reward. So that’s how I’m choosing to look at whatever this is between us.”
“You’re smarter than you look.”
“That’s the nicest thing you’ve ever said to me.”
I shake my head. I don’t know what I’m doing on a real date, acting like a gentleman and talking about fears and life goals, but the time I spend with Blair feels so much more substantial than even the best of fucks I’ve had with other girls. “No.Thisis the nicest thing I’ve ever said to you. I think you might end up being the best thing that ever happened to me.”
She blushes, and I wonder if I’ve put my foot into my mouth or scored points. I stand and offer her my hand. “Come on.”
With her small hand cupped in mine, we walk back to the basketball house. It turns out this dating thing isn’t so bad. I’ve almost even forgotten about sex while I’ve learned more about what makes Blair tick. Nah, that isn’t true, but I did enjoy myself more fully clothed than I ever imagined I would.
Joel bounds down the stairs dressed to go out when he spots us. “Hey, it’s Bless.”
We share a confused look.
“Blair and Wes. Bless. You know, it’s like your couple name.”
Blair giggles. “I guess it could be worse, our couple name could be Weir.”
Joel slaps me on the back as he passes us on his way to the door.
“Don’t get into any trouble,” I warn. “We have practice in the morning.”
“Yes, Dad,” he calls and then, as if just remembering, he calls out, “Oh, hey, Blair, how’d your test turn out?”
She looks shell shocked, and I shoot Joel a glare.
“Don’t worry, I’m sure you did great. Z and I both passed.”
He leaves, and Blair turns to me. “Grades are up? Up where? How do you know?”
“O’Sean posts them on the student portal before he hands them back.”
I lead her to my room and hand her my iPad so she can log in and check her grade.
Tension hangs heavy in the room while she pulls up her grade and then sighs. “I got an A,” she says like she almost doesn’t believe it. “Oh my God, I really got an A!”
I smile and say a silent thank you to the math gods. Then nix that because I did this. Props to myself. “Congratulations.”
She hands the tablet back to me and eyes me warily. “You weren’t going to tell me grades were up, were you?”
“I was planning on mentioning it about the time I dropped you off.”
She punches my arm playfully.
“I had faith in you . . . well, and in my excellent tutoring.”
I toss the iPad onto my bed and wrap my arms around her waist, drawing her against me.
“You were okay, I guess,” she says, her voice husky and tight as it travels straight to my balls.
