Page 14 of The Transfer
“Yeah.” He grimaces a little. “I’m sorry, I always need to be available for him.”
“That makes sense, and you don’t need to apologize,” I reply.
I pull back just a little, and we lock eyes. My breathing hitches as he glances down at my mouth and back to my eyes.
The garage door opening causes me to move away from him instantly. I look at my phone and see it is 10:30, which is way too early for Jordan to be home.
I quickly grab our bowls and drink cans and head to the kitchen to clean up. As I do, the door opens and in walks my twin. He smiles at me, but it fades when he notices Riggs sitting on the couch.
“Jordan, what are you doing home so early?” I ask.
“Cops busted the party, and I wasn’t feeling it, so I bailed. But the real question is why is my teammate at our house? Alone. With you?” he asks with a hint of annoyance.
“Hey, man,” Riggs says as he stands, “Reagan and I were just watching a movie. I’m glad you’re here, though. I wanted to see if you had that game film we talked about earlier.”
That sends a jolt of awareness through my body. Yes, Riggs and I can be friends, but I need to remind myself that basketball will always come before me. Learned that the hard way and don’t want to go through it again.
Jordan looks from me to Riggs and back again. “Yeah, man, I’ll grab the link for you.” He pulls his phone from his pocket, and I hear an alert sound from Riggs before Jordan sets his on the counter.
Riggs comes into the kitchen, and I keep waiting for J to take a swing, whether physically or verbally, but he shocks me again.
“I’m out. See you in the morning, Rea.” Then he narrows his eyes at Riggs. “You can see yourself out, Riggs. Like now.”My twin brother, ladies and gentlemen.
I roll my eyes, and Riggs chuckles. Jordan walks up the stairs, and it is just the two of us again.
“Tonight was fun, Sunshine. Thanks for listening to me.” Riggs has a little pink on his cheeks and is looking at his feet. He’s been vulnerable with me. Something I don’t think he does very often.
“Of course. What are friends for?”Cringe, Reagan. Cringe.
Riggs winces a bit, or maybe it’s just my imagination. He looks back to meet my eyes with a neutral expression on his face. “Friends. Yeah.”
He gives me an awkward side hug thing before practically sprinting out the door. Once I see his car backing out of the driveway, I close it and slink to the floor.
“What just happened?” I whisper to myself.
TEN
REAGAN
Walking into Coach Hart’s office, I have my notebook ready to go. We sit down before the season every year to discuss Titans Give Back. CTU has made it a tradition to have a fun night with the fans right before Thanksgiving break. The guys participate in competitions like slam dunk, 3-on-3, and other fun activities, including skits and dances. The best part is that we donate the money to charity, and I have taken over most of the planning in the last few years.
“There you are, Reagan.” Coach smiles at me and closes whatever he’s working on. “I’m glad you’re here. I’m excited to see what you have in store for Titans Give Back.”
“I don’t want to change too much of our traditional lineup, but I was thinking we could add a couple more dance routines or performances. Maybe have some of the kids in the audience come to the court and do a race or a shooting competition?” I throw out my ideas.
“That sounds great. Honestly, the more interaction we can give the fans, the better,” he tells me and pulls up the document we use to create the program.
About an hour later, we’re wrapping up everything. Coach had some great insight, and I think we’re in for a fantastic night for the team, students, and fans.
I’m about to pack up just as there is a knock on the office door. I turn and see the man who has been consuming my thoughts lately, Riggs. He looks deliciously handsome. Gray sweatpants, CTU T-shirt stretched across his chest, Jordan 1’s on his feet, and of course, a backward hat. He is the epitome of book boyfriend in every novel I have read lately. I worry I might start drooling, so I turn back to Coach.
“Riggs, there you are. Listen, I know you might have better plans for your Saturday, but I need someone to help with the scoreboard and stats for a high school tournament at the school this weekend. Would you two help me out? It pays, of course.”
Riggs looks over at me, and I’m already nodding. “Of course! You know I love tournament weekends,” I respond quickly.
Once my answer is out there, Riggs hesitantly accepts as well. I wasn’t sure what he would say after the friend zone we ended with over the weekend. My nerves are firing, but something else is there too—anticipation. A whole Saturday with my newfriend.
HOOP SQUAD
