Page 58 of The Transfer
“It’s nothing.” I kiss her on top of her head as I wrap her up in a hug.
Pulling away, she gives me her most serious face, telling me she means business. She can be as fierce as anyone I’ve ever met. “I know something is wrong. Why don’t we go downstairs, and you can lie down?”
She takes me by the hand and starts walking down the stairs to my bedroom. I allow her to so we can have privacy. She sits down on the bed, waiting for me to join her.
“Reagan, I think it’d be good if you spent the night at your place. You’re not getting much sleep here with me.”
She looks at me like I’ve just slapped her. “What?”
“This whole week has been a lot for me, and especially for my mom. You’re amazing, and I appreciate everything you’ve done. But I just need to focus on my mom right now and getting back to the team. You don’t need to be here for that.”
I see a tear slip down her cheek, and she quickly swipes it away. “Riggs, please don’t push me away.”
I waver, seeing her getting upset, but it’s best for her to go now. She doesn’t need me to drag her down. Not right now. She deserves to be happy, not stuck taking care of a guy who just lost his dad and is now broken.
“My dad would want me taking care of things, my mom especially. He’d want me to do everything I can to get back and play.” I think that’s the truth.
“I know, but let me be here for you.” She’s crying now, and I realize I am too.
“I can’t let you get dragged down by this. It’s too much to ask of you.”
“No. You don’t get to make decisions for me.” She’s put on a mask of anger that is almost believable if her hurt wasn’t so obviously showing through.
I tip her chin so her watery gray eyes meet mine. I lean in to kiss her, but she turns her head, and my lips graze her cheek instead.
“Reagan, please understand.”
With a devastated glance my way, she walks to my doorway, leaving all her belongings behind. Turning to me as her feet hit the stairs, she leaves me with words that hurt, but I deserve them.
“You know what? You’re right, there is nothing defined between us. We don’t owe each other a single thing.”
Then she runs up the steps and out the door.
I think I just ruined the only thing outside of basketball that I’ve ever wanted.
KINGS OF THE COURT
Jordan
Praying for you and your mom, Hart
Carter
Yeah, man. Prayers up
Riggs
Thanks. Meant a lot to have you there today
Moore
What can we do?
Williams
We got you, man.
Riggs
