“Alright. Yeah, that’s a good idea.”
We stare at each other for a minute, neither making a move to go first.
“I’m gonna get some alcohol for this. You like beer?”
“Beer’s good.”
Victor disappears up the stairs and I pull a squirming Christian into my lap. “How’s the team doing?”
“Good.” He grins ear to ear. “Maybe if they win, we can have pizza with Joel again?”
He looks so into the idea I can’t bring myself to do anything but nod as he jumps off my lap to stand in front of the TV.
“Alright,” Victor says, coming down the stairs with four beers, two in each hand. “Ready?”
We settle onto the old leather couch, facing each other. Me leaning back against the armrest and Victor on the other side foot propped over a knee.
“Favorite food?” I ask and take a sip of the Bud Light.
“Pizza.”
“Christian’s too.”
He glances to our son and smiles. “Yours?”
“Cheeseburgers. Favorite band?”
“Tupac forever.” He flashes a W with his left hand in the west side symbol and I laugh. I hadn’t pegged him for an old school rap guy.
We fire questions back and forth, neither of us counting and only stopping occasionally to track the game. Valley is leading and Joel looks good. No, he looks great. Christian bounces between standing a foot in front of the TV cheering and bouncing on the couch between us.
“I’ve got a question,” Victor says, pulling my attention from the TV. “What’s going on with you and the basketball guy?” He points toward the TV.
“Oh. Nothing.”
"Come on, we're sharing."
"He was helping me with my play, and we went on a few dates. That’s it. We’re just at different places. He’s not looking for a relationship, and I am. It was stupid to get involved." I shrug. “What about you? Are you dating?”
He shakes his head. “No. I mean a little at school, but nothing serious.”
We fall into a comfortable silence, staring at the TV even though it’s halftime and there isn’t really anything to see. Valley is up by ten and the announcers seem pretty confident that they can win as long as they don’t lose their minds in the second half.
The camera zooms in on Joel and Z walking back onto the court.
“I think you’re wrong about him,” Victor says. “Guy all but told me I needed to step up. He wouldn’t do that if he didn’t have a vested interest.”
“Wait, what? When?” That doesn’t sound like Joel. Or well, it does, actually, but I’m still surprised.
“That day at your apartment. Before he left, he told me to tell you goodbye and that you wouldn’t ask for help, but you needed it.”
I cringe because Victor and I are finally talking, and I don’t want this to stir things up before we’ve barely made progress.
“He was right. I mean I was pissed at first which is why I didn’t mention it before, but I thought about it, then got the same talk from my mom, so I figured he probably wasn’t talking out his ass.”
I laugh awkwardly, and he joins in.
“I’m sorry,” I say, though I’m not sure exactly what I’m apologizing for – for letting it get to a point where other people needed to step in? I should have been the one to talk to him about it.
“No, I am.” He plays with the tab of his beer can, pushing it to one side and then the other. “I’m sorry I left. When Christian was born, it felt like you guys didn’t need me. Even when he was here, Mom mostly doted on him. She took over and I let her. Then as he got older, I barely knew him. Didn’t know what he liked or needed, and he sensed that.”
We’re quiet and I can’t think of what to say. I didn’t know any of this. Hadn’t asked – always assumed it was purely selfishness that kept him away.
“Christian is a good kid,” I say and we both look to our son who has lost interest in the game and is rolling the small Valley basketball Joel got him around the basement. “You both just need more time together. He’s getting that now and I think it’s been good for him.”
“Yeah, he is a good kid. I can’t take any credit for that. It was all you. Thank you for that and about a million other things.”
Maybe that’s all I needed to hear – the acknowledgment that I’ve done well and that he’s noticed because all the lingering resentment I’ve held on to from the past three years disappears with that statement. I’m hopeful that this really will be a fresh start for all of us.
“Also, for what it’s worth, I think you should give the guy a real chance. He’s definitely got Christian’s seal of approval.”
“What do you mean a real chance?”
Victor grins. “Don’t write him off at the first screw up. You seem like you’ve already made up his mind for him.” He holds his hands up defensively as I open my mouth to protest. Joel made his mind and feelings very clear. “Look, I know I have like no room to talk when it comes to self-development, but your tendency is to close off, bite your tongue, and stew in silence. That and my lack of balls is the reason this is the first time we’ve had a real conversation in three years.”
“I can’t force him to feel something he doesn’t. And even if he did feel the same, what if he can’t be what I need?” I voice my real concerns out loud. Being responsible for a tiny human means I can’t settle or accept less than I deserve, even if I think I’d be willing to take any scraps Joel would give me if things were different.
“Then at least you can move on knowing you gave it your all. But right now, looking at you, I know you are still hoping for him to change his mind. Maybe he’s having the same reservations.”
The game ends late and at Nadine’s insistence, I find myself in the guest room staying the night. Valley won, and I hold my phone over my face debating on texting Joel. I can’t believe I’m about to take Victor’s advice, of all people.
Me: Congrats on the game! Christian and I watched. We’ll be cheering you on Monday!
My phone rings a minute later with a video call.
“Hey,” I answer, heart in throat as Joel’s face appears on the screen. It’s the first time I’ve seen him in weeks.
“Hey yourself.” He props a hand behind his head, and I can tell he’s lying in bed.
“Shouldn’t you be out celebrating?”
“I’ll celebrate Monday night when we win. Until then, eat, sleep, ball.”
I hear Nathan grumble in the background and Joel flips him off. “I gotta go, Kitty, just wanted to see your face. Tell little man I said hey.”
“I will. Night.”
He smiles into the phone, the sexy cocky smirk I fell in love with, and my heart squeezes. “Night, Kitty.”
40
Joel
Z’s tears mix with my own. I’m crying like a baby and I don’t even care. We won. Valley University has its first NCAA basketball championship trophy and our team has done something each one of us has dreamt about.
We take turns cutting the net down, there are interviews after interviews. It’s the best type of insanity. The greatest moment of my entire life, one I’ll never ever forget. My parents and sisters are watching down from their seats and there’s a comfort and sense of contentment that flows along with the excitement.
It’s late by the time the crowd clears, we shower, and head to the mixer for players, family, and whoever else was deemed important enough.
“Congratulations.” Michelle moves to me first and hugs me tightly. She’s covered head to toe in blue and yellow. So much Valley pride runs through her blood there’s no doubt she’ll be a proud Valley U student as soon as she graduates high school.
Bree doesn’t hug me, but she does smile and tell me good game which is as much as I can expect from her. She’s graduating high school this year and already stated loud and clear she’s going anywhere but Valley. She hasn’t applied anywhere else, so I’m calling bullshit.
“We’re so proud of you.” M
y mother places both hands on my face before pulling me to her. “Estamos muy orgullosos de ti. Siempre.”
I remember Nathan is behind me, his family couldn’t be here, and I realize how much it must suck to have no one here. I turn to him and wrap an arm around his shoulders and pull him into the circle before dropping my arm. “And we’ve got another shot to get back here next year.”
“It was a hell of a year. One you should both be really proud of,” my dad says in his official Valley president voice, but then softens as he says, “Don’t spend too much time celebrating before you get back to work for next season.”
Nathan smiles at that and holds up his arm and we bump fists. We make the rounds, saying hello to teammates, families, and anyone else that wants a moment of our time – which seems to be everyone.
When I can sneak away, I check my phone. Still nothing from Kitty. With about a million people patting my back and congratulating me on my contribution to the victory, it’s her words I want more than anyone else. She’d sent me a good luck message before the game, her and Christian’s faces pushed together, and I could tell they were both wearing their Valley shirts.
Nathan walks up as I’m staring at the picture and willing Kitty to call or text. “You ready to party?”
I nod. “Yeah, ready to get out of here for sure. I need to say goodbye to my family.”
Nathan points to Shaw and Malone who stand by the door. “Want us to wait for you?”
“Nah, go on. I’ll catch up.”
My mom and sisters are nowhere in sight, but I spot my dad and make my way to him.
“We’re taking off. Thank you for coming. Means a lot.”
He places a hand on my shoulder. “You’ve grown into a good man. Hard working, smart, loyal. Nowhere else I’d rather be. Valley president or not.”
Touched by his words but feeling awkward as hell at all the attention my talent and character has gotten tonight, I change the subject. “Where’d Mom and the girls go?”
“The ladies room. If it’s anything like the trip they made at halftime, I wouldn’t expect them back anytime soon. Go,” he motions with his head. “We’ll see you back home.”
No further prompting is needed, I duck out and dial Katrina as soon as I’m far enough from the noise I think I’ll be able to hear her.
“Hello?” she answers huskily, obviously woken from sleep.
“Hey.”
“Congratulations.” I can hear the smile in her voice.
“Thanks.”
There’s silence for too long, but I’m at a total loss. For someone that called her, I’m doing a shit job at talking. All the things I want to say and none of them feel right via phone.
“I was gonna text or call, but I figured you’d be celebrating with the team.” She yawns.
“Still could have. You can always call.”
“Christian drew you a picture. I, uh, promised him I’d get it to you when you get back.”
Somehow that feels better than the trophy we accepted earlier. And thank you, little man, for providing a great excuse to see her.
“What about you? You draw me a picture?”
Her soft laugh makes my smile grow bigger. “No, but I’ve got coffee and muffins anytime you want.”
“That sounds good.” Except it doesn’t. Relegating our time together back to the café where the counter serves as a literal and metaphorical boundary between us isn’t enough. It’s what I deserve, what I told her I wanted, but it just isn’t good enough anymore. Winners want the ball. I want the ball.
I want Katrina.
* * *
Katrina
I yawn as I fill another cup of coffee. I wasn’t the only one that stayed up late to watch the game judging by the long line that’s been constant since the café opened.
Tabitha is next in line and she steps forward with what looks like yesterday’s makeup smudged under her eyes.
“You too, huh?” She gets my first real smile of the day because smiling takes too much energy for those that don’t require it today. “Seems like the whole university is running on three hours of sleep.”
“Less than,” she says and slumps on the counter. “Brody and I were up most the night rehearsing. Speaking of, I was just thinking of you on the way over.”
I grab a large coffee cup and she nods. “Two.”
I grab a second coffee and fill as I ask, “What were you thinking about me for?”
“Brody and I wanted to make sure you were going to make it tomorrow night for the costume fittings. They should have the backdrops ready then too. God, I can’t believe the show is so soon.”
“Cream or sugar?”
She shakes her head and I place the cups on the counter and secure lids on them. “Of course. I am beyond excited. It’s already so much more than I could have dreamed.”
I’m ringing up her coffees when University Hall breaks out in applause and cheers. Looking toward the door, I see him. He’s wearing a Valley basketball t-shirt and athletic pants that show off sexy ankles – yes, sexy ankles. It’s a thing. A Joel Moreno thing.
People crowd around him, pat his back and say things I can’t make out. He takes it all in stride, smiling and thanking people but not stopping as he walks from the door to the counter. I hear Tabitha chuckle as I hand her card back without looking.
“Speaking of dreams coming true,” she says to me and then looks to Joel. “Congratulations.”
“Thank you.” His gaze falls back to me and he smiles. “Hi, Kitty.”
“What are you doing here?”
“I couldn’t stop thinking about you and Christian last night. Wondering what you were doing and wishing I could celebrate by eating pizza and seeing that picture little man drew me.”
Tabitha grabs one of the coffees and takes a sip, which draws Joel’s attention to the fact we have an audience.
“Oh, don’t mind me,” she says. “Or the other fifty people hanging on your every word.”
He chuckles and then jumps the counter. My mouth feels like I swallowed sand and I open to say something, ask what he’s doing, or maybe I should just kiss the ridiculous smirk off his face like I really want. But I’m incapable of doing any of those things. The look he gives me reaches in and simultaneously tugs at my heart and excites my lady parts.
“I think you’re holding up the line, Joel Moreno.” Like I care.
“Coffee’s on me,” he says loud enough they can hear, but first –
I’m watching his mouth, waiting for the sweet words I’m sure are coming when his lips crash down on mine.
Hard. Cocky. Possessive.
For half a second, I consider where I am – at freaking work with a line of people, but when his tongue sweeps in and he grabs the back of my thighs to pick me up and bring me closer, I throw my arms around his neck and kiss him like I want to.
Like I’ve wanted to since the day he first walked into this café.
It’s only when I feel his mouth pull into a smile against mine that I realize we’re not just being watched, we’re being cheered on.
He pulls away and rests his forehead on mine. “Might as well get used to it, Kitty. If we’re going to be together, PDA is a requirement. No way I can keep my hands and lips to myself when I’m around you, no matter where we are.”
“If we’re going to be together?” My voice quivers.
He nods and sets me down, takes my hands and looks into my eyes. He has this way of looking from eye to eye like he wants to unravel the mystery of each iris – like each color has its own secrets to tell. “I love you. I love Christian. Give me a second chance to show what a baller boyfriend I can be?”
“Better say yes, or I will,” Tabitha says.
“Me too,” someone else yells.
Joel threads our fingers together, pulls me to him. “What do you say, Kitty? Go out with me?”
I say yes, like I wanted to from the first time he asked.
41
Joel
The Tragi
c Love Story of Hector and Imelda’s opening night performance closes to a standing ovation. Christian and I are in the front row along with Blair and Gabby and a bunch of Katrina’s screenwriting friends. Katrina's family and the entire Moreno clan are coming tomorrow to the Friday night finale and I’ll be right back here where I belong, watching Kitty become a star. The number of people coming to see the screenwriter probably outweighs the number for the actors and that makes me so happy. My girl has worked so hard and she nailed it.
I hold Christian up high as Katrina takes the stage for her bow. He waves the roses we got for her and she grins down at us. When the applause dies off, she walks down the side stage stairs and Christian and I meet her halfway. She picks Christian up, hugging him tightly and accepting the kiss I drop on her lips.
“Congradu…” Christian looks to me. We practiced the word a dozen times before the show because he wanted to get it just right.
“Congratulations,” I say quietly near his ear.
He grins. “Congratulations, Mommy.”
“Thank you, buddy. What did you guys think?”
“It was amazing,” I say without hesitation. She killed it. I motion to where Blair and Gabby hang back. “The girls are waiting to shower you with praise. I’m gonna take little man outside to meet Karla.”
Karla has no idea what she’s in for. I predict Dylan and Christian will be thick as thieves in no time. And Karla may never agree to babysit again.
She kisses Christian and hugs him again. “Have fun tonight and be good.”
He nods. “Dylan is gonna teach me magic!”
I snicker as Katrina and I raise our brows in unison. She hands him over and says, “Meet you in the lobby when I’m done.”
“Take your time.”
Once I get Christian in the car with Karla, I call Wes. "It's time to buzz the tower."
Silence.
"Dude. Top Gun? Never mind. Just pull around."
The Fadeaway: A Smart Jocks Novel Page 22