Chapter 39
CHAPTER THIRTY-NINE
annalise
I descend the stairs of the Golden Gate Center with Oliver and we maneuver through the crowd to get to our seats. The arena is filled with fans wearing red San Francisco Dragons T-shirts and donning jerseys of their favorite players. The majority sport Maddox’s number, twenty-four.
As we approach our row, Asami spots us and her face lights up. “Annalise! Oh my God!”
She rushes toward me, pulling me into a tight hug and squeezing me so hard I feel like my insides are going to burst. “It’s so good to see you.”
“It’s good to see you too, Asami.”
“We have so much catching up to do!” She turns to Ollie and gives him a wave. “Hey, Oliver! Didn’t recognize you for a second. You’ve doubled in size.”
He smiles shyly and gives her a wave.
“Hi, Annalise and Oliver!” Izumi says as we walk toward our seats.
“Hi, Mrs. Kamado,” I say, pulling her into a hug.
“Masashi is going to be happy to see you. I bet he will score a lot of points tonight because of you.” A broad grin lights up Izumi’s face.
Chuckling, I take my seat next to Asami. “So, Maddox told me you got engaged! Let me see the ring!”
She holds out her left hand, and her gorgeous emerald-cut ring sparkles beneath the light.
“Wow, he did a good job. It is stunning!”
“Soon you’ll have a ring on your finger, too.” Izumi smiles, lifting her brows.
“Okāsan, they just got back together.” Asami groans, rolling her eyes.
I smile to myself as I picture Maddox getting down on one knee. “So, who’s the lucky guy?”
“His name is Hotaru. He’s an associate at Jin and Simmons Law Firm.” Scrolling through her phone, she pulls up a picture of the two of them in Paris.
“Wow, he is dreamy. You two make a lovely couple!”
“Thank you. So do you and my brother. Even though you’re way better looking than he is.”
A chuckle erupts from my chest. “So, what else is new with you?”
“I passed my boards recently, and I’m now a licensed dermatologist. I started working with Dr. Eun-ji Bae a couple of weeks ago, and she has been such an incredible mentor.”
“That’s wonderful, Asami!” I beam. “Do you plan on opening your own clinic one day?”
“Yes, that’s the plan! I’d also like to develop my own skin-care products.”
“I can totally see that becoming a huge success!”
“You think so?” She rubs the back of her neck.
“Oh, for sure. Success runs in the Kamado family.” I smile.
Asami chuckles. “So, how’s everything going with your online shop? All the clothes you have on there are so cute! I need to order everything.”
“It’s going pretty well!” I reply, a grin spreading across my face.
“I thought it would take me a while to get orders in, but I shipped out items to ten different customers yesterday, and I’ve already got a few new orders today.
I’m really hoping they leave good reviews. That would give my shop a big boost.”
“Girl, I’m sure they will leave you raving reviews. You are talented as hell,” she says, flashing me a warm smile.
“Thank you, Asami. If only I could quit my job so I can focus on my shop. Working at Dauntless leaves me drained.” I let out a groan and slump back in my seat.
Asami squeezes my hand. “I can only imagine. One day, you will be able to leave that place and be your own boss.”
A few months ago, I thought I was stuck working at this dead-end job, and had accepted the fact that I would never become a fashion designer. But now, my future is looking bright again. My shop is growing every day, and my passion for creating clothes has come back.
Maddox’s constant encouragement reminds me of what I am capable of and has brought back my confidence. He’s silenced the voices in my head that were telling me to give up on my dreams.
Those dreams once felt so far out of reach, but now I feel myself getting closer to making them a reality.
The lights dim and red strobe lights dance across the floor.
“Everybody, get on your feet and make some noise for your San Francisco Draaagooonsss!” the announcer bellows.
“All I Do Is Win” by DJ Khaled blasts from the speakers, and the announcer introduces the starting five players as they come out one by one.
“Everyone, get loud for number twenty-four, your shooting guard and MVP, Maddox Kamado!”
The energy in the crowd is palpable, and the whole arena fills with chants of his name.
“I love you, Maddox!” someone shouts.
“Have my babies!” another voice calls out.
“He is so hot,” a girl sitting behind me says.
“I know. I wish I was a basketball so I could be touched by him.”
I let out a snicker and Asami sticks her finger in her mouth, making a gagging sound.
I don’t blame them. Maddox looks extremely hot in his uniform. It shows off his large biceps and muscular legs. How lucky am I to have him all to myself?
Maddox scans the crowd and when his eyes land on me, he flashes me his infectious dimpled smile. I smile back at him, giving him a thumbs up and mouthing “good luck.”
He shoots me a wink and I instantly become flustered.
Ollie gives me a look. “You two are gross.”
I shove him playfully. “Don’t be a hater.”
The game begins, and Darius and the center from Los Angeles stand in the middle, preparing for tip-off.
Darius leaps in the air, knocking the ball in the Dragons’ possession. Elijah catches it and passes it to Maddox.
The players from Los Angeles surround him but he quickly maneuvers through them, making his way toward the goal.
One of the players is onto him but he fakes left, shooting the ball from the three-point line. The ball swishes through the net, earning the Dragons their first goal.
“Hell yeah! Let’s go, Maddox!” I jump up and down excitedly, clapping my hands and cheering him on with the others.
He blows me a kiss as he jogs past me.
“Oh my God! I think I’m going to faint! Maddox Kamado just blew me a kiss,” the fangirl behind me screams.
Asami and I shake with laughter.
Adrenaline pumps through my veins as the game continues. The Dragons are demolishing Los Angeles, and they have a twenty-point lead by halftime.
I watched Maddox play countless times when we were together, and I was always in awe of how unbelievably talented he is.
Seeing him today, playing with the pros, fills me with pride and leaves me speechless.
He dominates the court, and you can see the fire and passion in his eyes.
Every shot, block, and pass he makes is executed effortlessly.
He is the king, and the court is his kingdom. Maddox Kamado is a force to be reckoned with and will become a legend one day.
San Francisco blew LA out of the water, beating them by thirty-five points. I wait for the crowd to clear before making my way to the court to where Maddox is standing.
“You were amazing out there, Dimples.” I throw my arms around him and nearly kiss him before realizing we aren’t alone.
“You were my good-luck charm,” Maddox says, causing blush to spread across my cheeks.
“Hey, Maddox! You killed it out there,” Ollie says.
“Hey, Ollie! Thank you so much for coming.” Maddox gives him a side hug. “You need to try out for your school’s team next year. Maybe one day we can play together on this court.”
“Won’t you be retired by then?” Ollie teases, earning a chuckle amongst the team.
“Hey! I’m not that old!” Maddox glares at him.
Elijah throws his arms around Maddox’s shoulders. “You’re gonna be a veteran by then.”
“We’re the same age.” Maddox rolls his eyes.
“Thanks for showing up tonight, Annalise. He would’ve played like shit if you hadn’t been here,” Andrés teases.
I chuckle. “Oh, I’m sure he would’ve played fine. But it was a great game. I think y’all will be able to sweep LA.”
Elijah leaves Maddox’s side and walks over to Asami. “Asami, baby. Thanks for coming out to support me.” He flashes her a cheeky grin.
Asami rolls her eyes. “I did not come here for you.”
Elijah taps his chin. “That’s funny, because I could feel your eyes on me during the entire game. Bet you were impressed by the shots I made.”
Asami scrunches her face and holds up her left hand. “I’m engaged, you moron.”
“To the wrong man. I can give you everything he can’t,” Elijah drawls.
Andrés scrubs his hand down his face. “Oh, God, I’m getting secondhand embarrassment.”
“Elijah, leave my sister alone. Go terrorize someone else.”
Elijah chuckles and stalks off to the locker room, blowing Asami a kiss on the way out.
Asami shudders. “Remind me why you’re best friends with this guy.”
Maddox shakes his head. “I ask myself that every day.”
“I’m going to drop Ollie off, but I’ll see you tonight,” I whisper.
“Can’t wait.” He lightly brushes his hand against mine on his way to the locker room.
Izumi pulls me in for a hug. “Please come by for dinner next week. I’ll be happy to have you.”
“You know I’ll be there. I can never turn down your food.” I turn to Asami and give her a hug. “It was so nice catching up with you again. We need to hang out soon.”
“Oh, yes, please! Let me know the next time you’re free!” Asami says.
I’m walking toward the exit with Ollie when I feel a tap on my shoulder.
I turn around to see Lucas standing before me.
“Hey, Annalise.” He smiles. “How are you?”
Anger courses through my veins when I think about what he said about me.
“How are you? Really?” I let out a short, bitter laugh. “You think you can just strike up a casual conversation as if nothing happened?”
Lucas furrows his brow. “I’m not following.”
I shake my head. “I thought you were my friend. I can’t believe I was so blind.”
He continues to stare at me, dumbfounded. “What are you talking about? We are friends.”
“If we were friends, you wouldn’t have gone around telling everyone how you can’t wait to find out how good I am in bed!” I snap, my face flushing with anger.
His face pales. “Did Kamado tell you that? Because it’s not true.” Lucas grabs my arm. “I care about you, Annalise. I would never disrespect you like that.”
I yank my arm away. “Oh, cut the bullshit, Lucas! You always act like you’re such a good person, but you’re not. I finally see you for who you really are. A pathetic, selfish man who’s always been jealous of Maddox.”
“Me, jealous of him?” He lets out a laugh. “He’s the one who’s jealous. That’s why he’s making up these lies. I mean, look how he acted when he saw us at dinner together. Don’t you see how toxic and controlling he is?”
“Toxic? Why don’t you take a long, hard look in the mirror? You are the epitome of toxic,” I say, my voice sharp with anger.
Grabbing Ollie’s arm, I tug him toward the exit. “Come on. Let’s go home.”
“You must have zero self-respect if you plan on getting back with that womanizing asshole,” he spat.
Something in me snaps. All those years when he talked shit about my man, I let it slide. But I’m not going to do that this time.
Spinning around, I march toward him and slap him across the face. “You are the one with zero self-respect. Stop spreading lies about Maddox and work on yourself.”
Lucas holds his cheek, staring back at me in shock.
“And don’t ever speak to me again,” I add before storming off.
As we exit the arena, Ollie whispers to me, “Wow. That was awesome.”
I smile to myself, feeling liberated after finally doing what I should’ve done years ago.
“You slapped him?” Maddox asks, wearing an amused grin on his face.
“Yeah. I made sure to slap him hard, too.” A smile blooms on my face when I think about the red mark I left on Lucas’s cheek.
“I’m mad that I missed it. I would’ve paid money to see that. Maybe I can ask the security guards to give me the footage…”
A loud laugh escapes me. “Well, I hope he’ll leave us alone after this.”
“Oh, I’m sure he will. I’d be pretty damn embarrassed if I were him. I wouldn’t be surprised if he moves far away from San Francisco after this.”
“I don’t understand what his problem is,” I say, shaking my head.
“He’s obsessed with you. He’s upset that he will never have you. I don’t blame him. I know I would be.” Maddox wraps his arms around my waist and places a kiss on my temple.
My fingers twist the blanket in my lap. “I don’t know. I feel like his hatred for you runs deeper than that.”
He cocks his head to the side. “What would be the reason, then? I mean, I’m only an asshole to him because I’m just giving him back the same energy he gives me. But I’ve never spread rumors about him like he did with me.”
“I don’t know…” My voice trails off.
“Do you want to watch a romcom with me?” I ask, changing the subject.
“I’m always in the mood for romcoms.” He grins.
I reach in my pocket to put my phone on silent when a notification catches my eye: Raven Vogel tagged you in a reel.
My heart lurches and my hands shake as I click on the notification.
Raven Vogel has over a million followers and is a big-time fashion influencer. Her platform consists of videos and photos of her in stunning outfits. She often promotes different brands to help them grow.
The reel begins to play.
“You guys, I think I found my new favorite shop. Look how cute this dress is!” She twirls in front of the camera, showing off my blush midi dress.
“Oh, shit. Is that one of the dresses you made?” Maddox asks, glancing at my phone.
I nod excitedly. “Yes! And the video already has so many comments and likes.”
Raven continues to show off the other items she bought from my shop while raving about them. “The price is so affordable for how good the quality is. Make sure you check out Thorny Roses. You can find the link to the clothes I bought in my bio.”
I go back to my Instagram profile and see that I’ve had a surge of new followers.
“That’s my girl!” Maddox beams. “I’m so proud of you, Rosie.” He drops a kiss to my lips and my heart swells.
I’ve been so used to things going wrong—but with Maddox back in my life and my shop flourishing more than I ever imagined, I finally feel like I’m on the right path.
I just pray that this happiness doesn’t get snatched away from me.