Page 22 of Full Court Love
If I thought snuggling with Lucy was good, having a relaxed conversation with her might be even better. Somewhere over the course of the last twenty-four hours, I broke through the exterior. Here I am with yet another version of her–the comfortable one, apparently–and it’s just as endearing as every other facet of her personality.
I get to hear her nerd out about her favorite TV shows and rom-coms, her love of Harry Potter, and why the Midwest is the best place to live–in case you’re wondering, it’s because it’s necessary to experience all four seasons. She then asks me, with genuine curiosity, what books I like, and I have to burst her bubble. I haven’t read a book in a long time. She seems unfazed, though, and proceeds to give me a laundry list of books she wants to loan me.
It might be the first time in my life I’m actually looking forward to an assignment.
I continue asking her about her life, mainly because I want more of this excitedly animated version of her, but also because answering questions about my own life is tricky.
And oftentimes awkward.
We’re just checking out with a box of microwave popcorn when I hear a high-pitched voice behind us.
“Oh, my gosh. Lucy!”
Lucy inhales sharply with her eyes closed. Her whole body tenses up, but she plasters on a fake smile and turns around. “Hey, Sasha. Whatcha up to?”
I grab our bag and turn to see Sasha Pierson, another member of the women’s basketball team, walking toward uswith what can only be described as a manic grin on her face. She’s wearing a sports bra and Spandex–which makes no sense in this weather–and I intentionally don’t let my gaze go below her eyes.
“Lucy and Jordan? Talk about a power couple. Gahh … so, so cute, you guys–especially for you, Lucy. I mean, you barely have any experience in relationships at all. When did this start?”
Her overly loud and overtly condescending tone is drawing looks from others in the store, and Lucy’s face is turning redder by the second. The fact that there are people in the real world who talk like this is genuinely mind-blowing.
I try to intervene. “Hi. I don't think we’ve met yet. I’m Jordan.”
I stick my hand out, and she caresses my fingers as she slides her hand into mine. I’m pretty sure she’s batting her eyelashes as she holds on for way too long.
“Oh, of course I know who you are.”
She looks me up and down like she’s evaluating a show pony. I think it’s an attempt to be sexy, but I’m just creeped out. I break off the handshake and clear my throat.
“Well, we’d better be heading out.”
She nods way too many times and then turns back to Lucy, who looks like she would love nothing more than to disappear into the floorboards. This is certainly a version of Lucy I have never seen.
“All right, Lucy, have fun–but not too much fun. Wouldn’t want anything to derail the season, right? Gosh, last year was such a disappointment.”
She holds out that last word like she wants to be sure Lucy hears every syllable. It’s blatantly obvious that she would love nothing more than for something to derail Lucy’s season again.
There’s some history here.
Lucy’s face is blank. She opens her mouth to respond, but all that comes out is a single word. “Yeah…”
I can feel my anger build as I watch Sasha revel in Lucy’s embarrassment. Lucy may not be great at this whole “passive-aggressive mean girl” thing, but I’m willing to play the game. I put my arm over Lucy’s shoulders and smile down at her adoringly.
“Future player of the year right here. How fun is it to be teammates with Lucy, Sami?”
Sasha’s eyes narrow. “It’s Sasha.”
“Oh, yeah, sorry. Anyway, does it get frustrating to have to play against herevery day? A player so dominant, I mean, come on. Let someone else win for a change.”
Sasha forces out a laugh, but her eyes have turned deadly.
I’m not done yet.
One of the guys mentioned that Sasha’s parents are major donors to the school–the new nutrition facility attached to the arena is called the Pierson Wing. Apparently this is how she got a spot on the team–she wasn’t good enough to get recruited and she doesn’t play at all, but strings were pulled to ensure that these donors were kept happy.
Time to put this intel to good use.
“But man, Lucy earns it. I’ve heard people say she’s the hardest-working athlete at this school. I believe it. No one is in the gym more than she is. I just love how everything she’s gotten is so earned and well-deserved.”