Chapter 20
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.
She blushes at that, and it makes me smile. “I didn’t wear them tonight. I was, um, out.”
My smile drops because even though she didn’t say it, she was with Drew Cole.
“With Drew.”
“Yeah, I was. We were at dinner, and I just wanted to dress up a little,” she says it with a hint of insecurity.
“Well, you look beautiful no matter what. This is just my opinion, but I love seeing you in Dunks. They’re your thing.” That has her eyes widening a little.
“I’m surprised you noticed. Although you are a sneakerhead yourself. How many Jordans does one person need?” I laugh because she is right. I own more than my share.
“Sunshine, I notice everything about you.”
“You do?” She stands there, staring at me like I spoke a foreign language
I’m fighting an inner battle here. My heart is telling me to lay it all out there for her and fight, just as my dad told me to. My brain is saying it’s too much, and she might already be spoken for. Thinking about my dad and time sends me down the path I hope I don’t regret.
Walking closer, until I’m just a breath away, I cup her cheek in my palm, and her eyes slowly rise to meet mine. We’re both breathing heavy, and the tension crackles between us.
“Yeah, I do.”
And just as I lean in to press my lips to hers, my phone blares with a distinct ringing set for only one person, my mom.