Page 26 of The Transfer
“No, Dad, I haven’t. We sort of defined ourselves as friends a while back, and I thought that was what I wanted. But now…”
“It’s not.” He grins.
“I’m not sure. What do I do?” I ask the man who always has the answers. I don’t know how much longer he will be here to answer all my questions, and that is a sucker punch to the gut.
He sits there, thinking for a moment. Then he must find the words because he looks right into my eyes before he drops the biggest truth bomb right in my lap.
“You just need to decide one thing. Is she worth fighting for? If you hesitate at all, then be done. But if you know deep down in your soul, she’s it, then fight with all you have to get her and keep her.”
Silence fills the room as we all take in his words. Then I hear a sniffle and look to see my mom with tears in her eyes.
“I can’t wait to have a daughter!”
And just like that, the mood has lightened, and we’re laughing again.
Hugging my parents goodbye, I linger when I hold Dad. His body is so frail. He’s the opposite of the strong, healthy man I grew up with. This disease has taken so much from him, and I hate watching it happen.
He looks me in the eyes. “Riggs, I’m so proud of you. I can’t wait to see you in a CTU jersey this year.” I tear up because I don’t know how many games he’ll be able to attend. But I’m holding on to hope. If nothing else, my dad is as stubborn as a mule and will fight to the very end. I give him a nod and one more hug before I climb into my Challenger.
The entire drive home, I try to convince myself that all I want to fight for is basketball and not the beautiful brunette who has turned my world upside down.
It doesn’t work.
TWENTY
RIGGS
The swish of the net is like music to my ears. I stand at the foul line waiting for our rebound machine to shoot the ball back to me so I can go again. I have lost track of how many shots I’ve taken tonight. All I know is that I couldn’t sleep and found myself here.
The opening of the squeaky double door has me frozen. Who else would be at the gym at ten o’clock on a Monday night? Maybe security is coming to kick me out. Slowly, I turn around, and the realization of who stands in front of me is a shock to my system.
Reagan.
“Sorry, I didn’t mean to frighten you. I was driving by and saw the lights on, so I thought I’d stop to see who was in here. I thought it was Jordan, if I’m being honest. I can leave if you want me to.” She takes a step back like she’s going to bolt, but I find my words just in time.
“No! I mean, you can stay. I want you to stay.”Smooth.
I catch a hint of surprise on her face as she nods and walks over to where I’m at. I am sweaty from running through drills tonight, trying to wear myself out enough to sleep.
“Why are you here so late, Riggs?”
I take a minute before I respond. I want to be open with her, which I have never done with a girl before, so I’m not sure how it will go. “I couldn’t sleep. My dad has been on my mind since I saw him yesterday. Practice will start soon, and that has me both excited and nervous. Then there’s you…” I close my mouth before I finish that sentence, cursing my word vomit.
“What about me?” She has a curious look on her face. As our eyes connect, I’m reminded of how beautiful she is. Her piercing stormy-gray eyes make me completely lose my train of thought.
“What?” I respond, my mind a blank as I focus on her gorgeous face.
Reagan laughs at that, and I do too, allowing that to ease the nerves building in my body.
“Never mind. Let’s shoot. You up for another contest?” She wiggles her eyebrows at me, and that competitive drive in me roars to life.
“What do you have in mind?” I ask, remembering the last time we played together, when she almost beat me.
“Ten free throws each. Whoever makes the most wins.” I nod, agreeing to her terms.
“Ladies first.” I toss her the ball as she removes her boots. I realize what she is wearing now: tight jeans with an even tighter sweater that shows just a sliver of tan stomach. What is noticeably missing are her signature Dunks.
“Where are your Dunks?” I ask out loud.
