Page 67 of The Transfer
Jordan
I’m up for anything. I can’t take seeing him or my sister like this.
FIFTY
RIGGS
Wiping the sweat from my face using my T-shirt does nothing for me as I realize it’s dripping as well. I don’t know how long I’ve been in the gym, but a quick look at the clock tells me it’s close to nine o’clock. Practice ended at six o’clock, so I’ve spent the past three hours shooting. No wonder my arms are shaking, and my legs feel like they’re going to give out at any moment.
I know I can’t keep practicing this hard, but I’m not sure what else to do. The only time I feel like myself is when I’m on the court.
The double doors creak in the distance, and I’m reminded of the last time that happened to me when I was shooting. I turn quickly, hoping it’s her, that maybe she came back to me even though I told her not to. But it’s not Reagan. It’s Theo Williams.
“Hart. What on earth are you doing in the gym this late?” Never one to mince words, he says what’s on his mind and narrows his eyes at me.
“Just wanted to get a few more shots up, man. I’m good.” Even I don’t believe the lie that came out of my mouth.
“That right?” He doesn’t say much, ever. But Theo Williams has a presence thatintimidates.
“What are you doing here?”
“Why don’t you go change, and we’ll hit Cook Out really quick.” His words remind me that my stomach is below empty, so I agree.
About thirty minutes later,I’m sitting in my apartment across the couch from Theo Williams while we both eat dinner. It’s weird, but strangely not uncomfortable.
“How’s your mom doing?” he asks between bites.
“She’s doing better. Thanks. I’m staying at my place again, and she’s got some friends and a therapist helping her out.” He nods, like he understands.
“Listen, man, I’m all for hanging out, but you never do, and I don’t think you’ve ever spoken this many words to me. What’s up?” He smiles. I’ve known Theo for months, and this is the first smile I’ve seen on his face.
“Straight to it, I guess,” he says. I don’t respond, hoping he’ll fill me in.
“I haven’t told any of the guys this, so it stays between us, for now.” I nod, agreeing to his terms.
“My best friend in high school was a year older than me. Shane played quarterback for our school, and the man had an arm like a cannon. He was fielding offers from schools when he was a sophomore, and I was a freshman. He was that good.
“His senior year, he was coming home from practice during a storm. His car hydroplaned and went straight into a tree, killing him on impact.”
Shocked, I say the only thing I can think of, which also happens to be the thing that I hate to hear people say. “I’m so sorry, man. No, I mean, I am sorry, but I hate when people tell me that, so I’m sure you do too.”
“I used to. I hated people talking to me about him at all.” He looks at me with understanding.
“When he died, I shut everyone out. I wouldn’t say his name. I couldn’t. It messed me up so bad. I even pushed away the one other person who was going through it worse than me. His sister, Lindsey.”
Realization hits. “Dance Team Lindsey?”
He laughs at that. “Yeah, man. But she’s not Dance Team Lindsey to me. She’s Shane’s little sister, who happened to be my other best friend. The three of us did everything together. When he died, I ghosted her. I shut her out of my life for over a year. She did everything she could to be there for me, but I wouldn’t let her. That is my biggest regret.
“I put everything I had into basketball. I was decent as a junior, but it was my senior year that got me noticed by CTU and other schools. I didn’t allow a single thing into my life other than hoops and school.”
I’m picking up what he’s putting down. He knows I’m pushing everyone away, even Reagan. The guys would have to know by now, given how we have avoided each other like the plague.
“What happened after senior year?” I ask.
“We were all down in Myrtle Beach for senior week, having fun, partying a little. One night, she got wasted. She never drinks, so I knew something was up. Somebody put something in her drink, trying to drug her. Luckily, one of my teammates called me, and I was able to get to her before anything happened. But I promised myself right then that I would never shut her out again.
“The following morning, she was shocked to see me in her room. I told her what had happened, and she lost it. We both did, honestly. It took a long time for us to sort through the mess I made of our friendship, but we made it back.
