Chapter 21 #2
Jadea laughs a little. “Daniel and I thought we were so smart, coming up with all these ideas to help you, but we pushed you over the edge. We didn’t stop and listen to you.”
I nod. “Maybe you weren’t listening, but Olabisi was right. I hardly ever say shit. Even when I should. Even when it really matters.”
Jadea rolls her eyes, dabbing her wet cheeks with her sweatshirt cuff. “Olabisi was such a pain this week. Her inner bitch was fully out.”
I laugh a little, thinking of Jadea and Olabisi every practice, debating and arguing over the plays. “But we love her. We’re a team.”
Jadea gets to her feet. “We’re the team, Annie. We have a game to win Wednesday. You coming?” She holds out a hand.
I clasp it, letting her pull me up. “Yes, I am. And I think we’re going to win a championship.”
I may still be teary-eyed, but Jadea lets out a delighted whoop. I scurry around the room, gathering my things, but stop when Jadea checks her watch. “Shit! I promised Daniel I’d only be ten minutes.”
I freeze, only one sneaker on, the other shoe in my hand. “Daniel?”
Jadea rolls her eyes again. “You think he’d let me come here alone?” But I’m already moving, running out the door and into the parking lot. It’s dark out here, but we’re far enough from the city that a few stars sparkle in the velvet above.
I stop at the edge of the sidewalk, still with only one shoe on, and just stare at Daniel.
The car is on, as though they were planning on kidnapping me and making a run for it if I refused to leave, but Daniel is pacing impatiently in front of it, his beautiful curls and lean figure haloed by the headlights.
“Daniel,” I choke out, bawling like a baby again.
His head snaps up, and there’s a flash of his half-dimple, his mole, those starry, starry eyes.
His whole body is lined in light. “Annie.” He sounds like he wasn’t sure he’d ever see me again.
As though he’s ravenous at the sight of me and my one shoe.
“I’m so sorry.” He stays a few paces away.
“About planning with Jadea behind your back. And…” he swallows nervously, “and the show, too. I wanted everyone to see Trenton as he was, and I wanted your approval to do the piece, but you weren’t answering your phone, and maybe you think I was trying to control your life again, which I’d never want you to fee—”
“Daniel.” My voice is soft, hoarse. “Stop, please.”
He stops and looks at me, shining and brilliant and angelic.
“You didn’t make a mistake.” I take another step towards him, off the curb.
“I did, by running away. You were right; I was hiding. I’m so sorry for shutting you out.
I realize now that I’ve been focusing on all the things that have gone wrong rather than accepting the gifts that life has given me.
Basketball. Jadea. My mom. And you.” I smile at him.
“Daniel, you were the best gift I could have asked for.” I try to sound like a warrior, but there’s a little crack in my voice when I say his name.
I want Daniel to know that what he did for me was amazing. But now I have to come out of hiding and do amazing things, too. And I want him by my side if he’s willing to be.
He’s still staring at me like I’m an apparition, so I say, “Will you help me? Will you be…on my team?” The phrasing is awkward, but Daniel seems to understand.
He smiles slowly, the joy spreading to his dimple and eyes. “That’s all I want, Annie. You’re the only part of my dream that I’m missing.”
My eyes are watering again, and I drop the shoe.
Abruptly, we’re running at each other.
The collision is straight serotonin to my system. The inhalation of mint, the pleasure of my hands in his hair, the joy bubbling up as he lifts me and spins me around. “Daniel.” I’m cry-laughing as he sets me down. “I missed you.”
Daniel looks at me seriously, pulling my face into his hands, wiping away my tears with his thumbs. “Annie, now that you’ve been back in my life, I never want you to leave it again. We need to stop leaving each other.”
As he’s speaking, he rummages in his jacket pocket, finally unearthing a packet of tissues. He passes them to me, and all the love I have in me seems about ready to explode out of my pores.
I smile at him, hoping it’s Hollywood-worthy. “Daniel?”
He looks away from the beloved tissues, back to my face. “What?”
I let all my bottled-up feelings loose, hoping they’ll make me brave. “I love you. So much.” The words come out triumphant.
The smile that unfurls on his face makes me blush. “Annie Larger. My love for you is larger than fucking life.”
We’re both laughing and delirious, and we start kissing like we’re making up for lost time.
We’re staggering, spinning, and leaning on each other, silhouetted by the headlights.
Daniel tastes like every word I’ve never said, like every opportunity I’ve been too afraid to take, every thought I’ve ever had that downplays my strengths. He tastes like redemption.
“Hey!” Jadea interrupts us, as usual. This time, I don’t mind. “What’s the plan now, lovebirds?”
We break apart, still looking at each other. Daniel’s voice whispers across my cheeks. “Yeah, what’s the plan, Annie?”
I step back from him so I can articulate myself clearly. “The Arrows are going to win on Wednesday. We’re going to survive our one-and-done playoff game.” Jadea pumps her fist in support. I smile at her, then look back at Daniel. “Then I need a slot on your show. Next Sunday.”
I’ve surprised them both. National TV? Fear skitters down my spine. “I have a few ideas that will put this whole scandal to bed.”
The words feel powerful and surer than any I’ve spoken in weeks.