by Sierra Hill
It must all click together then for my dad, because he adds, “My goodness, I’m impressed. You’re a nursing student, work at a café and the nursing home? How in the world do you have time for all of that?”
My chest swells with pride to epic proportions. I tug at her hand and pull her up to her feet, wrapping my arm around her waist.
“She’s amazing, that’s how.” I kiss her cheek as she grins. “And I’m a lucky guy she finds time for me in her life, too.”
Ainsley clucks her tongue and gives me a mocking side grin. “You are pretty damn lucky, aren’t you?” She elbows me in the ribs when I tickle her side.
Carver comes into the living room with his duffle bag flung over his shoulder. “Hey, I hate to break up this little meet and greet, but we need to get over to the arena to warm up.” The other guys come up behind him.
I let go of Ainsley and turn to head back to my room to grab my stuff. Before I do, I look at my dad.
“Are you coming to the practice, dad?” I’m not sure if Kylah invited him or not. But I guess I could ask if he wants to come see the first practice. It’s the only one open to the public and he’s always come watch me in previous years.
Allen Griffin rarely looks anything but confident. He has to exude self-confidence for the type of profession he’s in. But right now, he looks anything but certain. I’m kind of floored.
“I’d really like to, if you don’t mind. But I understand…”
Ainsley, sensing the awkwardness of the situation, pipes in.
“I think it would be great if you joined us. You, Simon and Kylah can give me some pointers about what’s going on, because I have no idea. I’ve never actually watched basketball before.” She gives an apologetic smirk.
My dad lets out what sounds like a deep sigh of gratitude. He nods his head in acceptance, which Kylah does the same, but with more enthusiasm.
“I’m with you, Ainsley,” she says, owning up to her lack of interest in basketball. “We’ll stick together, okay?”
And with that, I know the night is off to a great start.
Chapter 23
Ainsley
The excitement in the stands is palpable. A living, breathing animal that shifts through the arena, moving with energy, as fans clamor for a view of their team’s first season appearance. Scanning the stadium, it’s a sea of maroon and gold.
Taking it all in fills me with a raw thrill that courses through my body, sending little currents of electricity that I can feel in all my extremities. Excitement and nerves spread through my system as I wait to see Number 23 out on the court tonight. My Number 23.
After the guys left the apartment for the arena earlier, I sat around chatting and getting to know Allen and Kylah. I noticed some tension between the two men during our conversation, but most of the focus was put on hearing how things were going with Kylah’s studies and activities.
Kylah is definitely Cade’s sibling because of the strong resemblance. They have the same eyes and smile, although Cade’s smiles are constant, where Kylah’s seem reserved. It takes more for her to offer one up. But when she does, it absolutely lights up her face. She’s just a sweetheart. I liked her instantly. In some ways, she reminds me of Anika, and that thought gives me a pang of sorrow.
I tried calling Ani earlier in the day, just to see how everything’s been going, but didn’t hear anything back. Which is highly unusual. Since she left for South Dakota, she’s in constant contact with me. Whenever I’ve talked to her on the phone, she sounds sad, but tries to hide it. She doesn’t want me to know how hard it is for her to be away.
She admitted that she’s angry with my mom for dragging her away. I don’t blame her one bit. I’m still livid. My mom could’ve left Anika behind with me, where she was adjusting just fine in her new school and with her new friends. But instead, she had to be selfish – like always – and insisted on bringing Ani with her. Uprooting her life for another errant decision.
While I’ve learned a lot about her mental illness and the impulsiveness of her decisions, what I don’t understand is why she believes there’s always something bigger, better and brighter somewhere else. It’s like her disease has her seeing the grass appearing greener everywhere else but where her feet are planted.
Tonight, though, I try to keep those thoughts and concerns at bay and just enjoy the moment, and all the excitement surrounding me.
Mica joined us late, and she and Kylah sit to my right, talking and laughing about something that I didn’t catch. And Mr. Griffin and Simon are on the opposite end, both sitting a bit too formally next to one another. Then the lights in the arena dim and the music begins pumping, the entire crowd jumps to their feet and goes bananas.
I reach to the left and help Simon stand up by putting my one hand on the crook of his arm and the other behind his back. Once he’s steadied, I find him smiling the biggest, cheeriest smile I’ve seen on him in a long time.
The sound of the crowd is deafening, with bull horns and shouts of excited fans going off all around us. I can barely hear anything, the decibels of sound exceeding what’s probably healthy. I feel my blood pumping, my heart racing in anticipation of the team storming out onto the court. And just then, I see them running out of the tunnel.
The team mascot, Sparky, the devil with a trident, is dancing around, high-fiving each player as they make their appearance. It’s then that I see Cade, his white warm-up track suit fitting his fine body perfectly, Number 23 embroidered on the back for all to see.
I hear Kylah scream, “There he is!” We’re all clapping and cheering and my sense of pride is overwhelming. Along with my possessiveness. There’s a row of girls behind us that have been chit-chatting all night, giggling as college girls do. More than once, I heard Griff’s name come up in their conversation. Talking about how hot he is. And how they heard he’s an animal in bed. It took everything I had to restrain myself from turning behind me and telling them, “You ain’t lying, sista.”
But I didn’t. And now I focus on him as he whips off his tear-away pants, stretching his arms overhead and bending in a deep arc to the right and left. It’s enough to make all the females in the whole building swoon and faint. I don’t blame those girls at all for loving what they see out there. His body is show stopping – he’s ripped in all the right places. Especially his biceps. Holy heavens, when he wears his basketball jersey, and grabs the ball before passing it off, they bulge and flex in concert with the motion and I want to lick him all over. It’s hot enough to melt the hinges off of the gates of Hell.
And that’s not a bad analogy considering the devil with a pitchfork is even fanning himself right now as he/she watches Cade in action.
Practice begins and the players are all out on court going through shooting and passing drills, a little three-on-three action at one end of the court, and some callisthenic activity in between. I watch everything as it happens, leaning over a few times to ask Simon and Mr. Griffin questions. We’re about an hour in and things come to an abrupt stop as the players take a time out to regroup, grab some Gatorade and take a break.
I turn to say something to Mica when I hear an audible gasp from the girl behind me. I’m about to swivel my head to find out what her deal is, when I hear a very distinct and low voice.
“Hey sweetness. What do you think so far?”
My eyes are greeted to the sight of a gloriously sweaty and breathless Cade, who leans over the seat to give me a kiss on my cheek. The audience behind me erupts into a collective sigh. And how pathetic is it that I’m eating it up? Yep, take note, girls. He’s mine.
“Meh…I’ve seen greater excitement at your grandfather’s Tuesday night Bingo games.”
Simon laughs and they all know I’m kidding. Cade grips his pecs and gives a mocking huff, as if I’ve wounded him deeply.
“You slay me, Ainsley. You’re so mean.”
The girls take that opportunity to lean over and interrupt.
“Excuse me, Griff. Can we get your a
utograph and picture?” One of them asks while the other three giggle in concert. Geez. Are we in Junior High?
Cade looks up at them as if he’s just now realized he has an audience. So like him, completely oblivious to his gawking fans. Wiping his sweaty palms on his shorts, he takes the pen handed to him and torn ticket they offer him. As he’s signing his name, he speaks to me without looking up.
“I know you need to get gramps back home in a little while. But can I call you later?”
I raise my eyebrow, because I know what he’s really asking me for is a booty call.
He hands the autographed memorabilia back to the girl and leans in so they can take a selfie. Ah, my loveable player. How can I say no to this guy?
“Sure. You can call me. I’ll be around.”
Tomorrow I don’t work at the café, so I can sleep in. I’d asked Kimmi in advance for the day off since I knew I’d be out late tonight. As if on cue, Simon yawns and I realize it’s after one a.m. already. Time flies when you’re having a good time watching your man do his thing.
Cade waves goodbye to everyone and gives me a kiss on the head before he heads back out onto the court. I watch his ass move in the polyester shorts and sigh right along with the other girls. Yeah, things are good and I’m a lucky girl for once in my life.
****
I’m lying on my stomach on my bed, trying unsuccessfully to read through my anatomy text book, as my eyelids practically droop in their heavily weighted sleepiness. I’ve been home now for thirty minutes, after dropping off Simon at the home and returning with Mica to our apartment. I’m thankful she has a car, even though she calls it her piece of shit. She bought it off her brother, who is a mechanic and fixed it up so it runs without any problems.
My phone buzzes with an incoming text and I expect it to be Cade telling me he’s on his way over.
But it’s from Anika.
Anika: Help me. Please.
WTF?
I scramble up to my knees and dial her number immediately. But it goes directly to voicemail. So I text her back.
Me: I’m trying to call you. What’s going on? You’re scaring me.
There’s a pause. And then I see her working on her response.
Anika: Please don’t get mad…I’m at a McDonald’s outside of Grand Junction.
I rack my brain. Isn’t Grand Junction in Colorado? But she’s supposed to be in Pierre, South Dakota. My hands shake as I try to dial her again. This time it rings a few times and she answers.
“Hello?”
“Ani!” I say with a sigh of relief. But it’s only momentary, as the terror of the answer to the next question reaches my brain.
“Why are you in Grand Junction? Where’s mom?”
I hear her sniffling. And then a sob escapes her and it tears through me like a hot knife slicing through bread.
“Sh-she…he beat her up last night. We hitched rides and we’re stranded here. I don’t know where she went. She said she’d be right back but that was two hours ago.”
Oh no. Oh please Lord, no.
I knew this would happen. I fucking knew it. Not that she would get beat up, which honestly right now, I feel like she deserves. But I did expect things wouldn’t work out with that guy. Sooner, rather than later, she’d find something more enticing and would leave again.
Okay. I need to think. I have to figure this out because Ani’s depending on me. She is all alone and scared. And who knows what kind of seedy element is lurking around the McDonald’s at one-thirty in the morning.
“It’s okay, baby. I’m here. I’ll help you.” I look down at my trembling hands and I fist them tightly. I’m so angry with my mom right now I could strangle her. That’s if I ever see her again.
I mentally calculate the distance between Mesa and Grand Junction. I’ve never been there, so I have no idea if they have an airport or where Anika is in comparison. The only thing I can think of is calling the police and at least having her safe for the night.
“Ani. Is the McDonald’s open? Are you inside right now?”
“No, I wasn’t getting any reception in there. I’m standing outside right now. But yes, it’s open. I think they’re going to kick me out. I’ve been sitting there for hours.” She sobs and it breaks my heart even more.
“They won’t kick you out. I want you to go back in there and ask for the manager. I’m going to hang on the line. I’m going to talk to them, okay?”
She does what I ask and after a few minutes a husky-voiced woman gets on the line.
“Yeah, this is Darlene. What can I do for you?”
I fill in Darlene on what’s going on and explain the situation. Thankfully, I find out that she’s a grandmother of a teenage girl and is more than willing to let Anika stay in the back office for the night or until the police arrive. I’m scared to death about contacting the police, but Darlene says that she has a friend on the force and Anika would be in good hands.
Once we have things arranged and I feel good about her safe-keeping for the night, I get back on the line with Anika and fill her in.
“Ani, I’m going to be there as soon as I can. I’ll drive through the night…”
“But…” Anika tries to interject, and I know what she’s going to say. I have no car.
“Yeah, I know. I’ll see if I can borrow Mica’s car. Or maybe Cade can lend me his. But don’t worry. Just keep your phone handy and don’t leave that room, you hear me?”
Her sobs quiet down and I think she’s resolved in the fact that I won’t abandon her. Unlike someone else in her life. Goddammit, Mother.
We say goodbye and I rush around my room packing everything I will need for the next two days. Just as I’m zipping up my bag, I hear Cade knock softly at the front door. I swing it open, and the smile that’s on his face immediately disappears when he sees my troubled look.
“What’s the matter, baby?” He steps in and is about to embrace me when I stop him with my arms on his chest.
“I need your car…it’s an emergency.” I’m nearing a breakdown. I can feel it bubbling up from my stomach, as my legs shake and tremble. “It’s Anika. My mom…she left her!”
I’m in hysterics now, sobbing and wailing as he takes hold of my shoulders and gently backs me up into the living room and out of the open doorway.
“Baby, calm down. It’s okay. I’m here. We’ll figure this out.”
“N-no…I need to go now.” I wail. Fat tears streak down my face. I’ve never felt this out of control and helpless. Frustrated and lost. Yet just at the sight of Cade, his reassuring voice and words of affirmation, helps me stay focused. He’s my rock. My support. My everything.
“She’s stuck at a McDonald’s in Grand Junction.”
“Colorado?” He asks, his voice jumping an octave.
“Y-yes. I need to go get her. Please.”
He grasps hold of my wrists and pulls me to him. He’s warm and solid. I feel like a collapsing bridge being held up only by the support of a steel girder.
“We’ll go together.”
Chapter 24
Cade
We drive through the night, hopped up on coffee and adrenaline.
It’s close to nine a.m. and we still have two more hours to go before we reach Grand Junction. My eyes are dry from lack of sleep, but my focus is sharp. I give a sidelong glance over to Ainsley, who’s slumped in the passenger seat. Her shoeless feet are propped up underneath her and she leans her head against the window. She’s had her eyes closed for a while now, but I know she’s not sleeping, even though she’s exhausted from the emotional turmoil.
Before I’d gotten to Ainsley’s apartment, I’d been riding high and pumped up from all the energy consumed last night at practice. It’s an experience like none other and hard to describe to anyone who has never played in front of thousands of fans. It was only a practice, with lots and lots of tedious drills, but it was special. My heart was full knowing that my family was there watching me play, along with Ainsley. I tried not to let i
t go to my head and act like an idiot hotshot out on the court, but I took a few shots that I knew they’d be impressed with. It was worth the nasty glare I got from Coach when I did. He’s always telling me to ‘lose the attitude, kid’. Even if he says it with a knowing smile.
After showering and getting changed in the locker room, I had booked out of there so fast I barely registered any of the guys asking me to go out to celebrate. I had no time for any of that because I was intent on getting over to Ainsley’s as fast as I could so we could celebrate in our own private way.
Finding her in that state of shock that I did when I arrived nearly brought me to my knees. If I ever find her mother, I may not be able to hold back from decking her. I realize that’s not the best approach, and hitting girls and all that…but goddamn, I was furious.
Ainsley had lost all composure. She was mumbling incoherently between sobs, barely making any sense. My fear spiked to unprecedented levels and my fight instinct took over almost immediately. I would do anything for this girl – whether it be rushing through a towering inferno or driving all night to find my girl’s sister. There is nothing I wouldn’t do for her.
I’ve got to take a piss from all the coffee I’ve been drinking, so I pull off I-70 in a truck stop area in Thompson Springs. Ainsley nearly shoots out of her seat, her body straining against the seat belt that’s protesting her movements, her eyes darting to take in the scene.
“Are we there? Is Anika here?” Her voice squeaks with panicked concern, her disorientation evident. Maybe she had been asleep.
This is so hard on her and it breaks my heart to see her so worried.
“Baby, it’s okay. I just have to take a leak and grab something to eat.” I point to the Cracker Barrel building we’re parked in front of. I’m starved since I haven’t eaten anything of sustenance since last night before practice. I’d planned on fucking Ainsley first thing after the event and then eating…but neither of those two things happened like I’d hoped.
Ainsley slips back into her seat and sighs groggily. I unbuckle my belt and reach over to pull her face to mine. Her eyes tell me everything. Weariness. Gratitude. Fear. Love. I kiss her once, mainly because I need to feel her lips on mine. But also to reassure her that everything will be fine.
