Hook Shot (Hoops 3)

Dinner. Tonight.

I press the card with Kenan’s nearly-illegible words to my lips. It’s just paper and ink, but I taste the sweetness of the man behind it. His sincerity and love wrap around me. Even when we’re thousands of miles apart, I feel the protection of his arms.

It’s so good to not be four thousand miles apart today, though. In addition to negotiating a long-distance relationship, we’ve been getting Simone used to us being a couple, and maintaining two demanding careers. The last seven months have been eventful and blissful, and at times, really hard. And there’s still so much transition ahead. It’s good to be here in San Diego, though, even if I don’t get to stay very long.

Which reminds me . . .

Me: Chicas! Are we ready for LA next week?

Yari: Yasss, girl! I sent you guys the list of locations we’re scoping.

Billie: Got it! And I’ve scheduled lunch with three investors while we’re there.

Yari: Lo, you NEED to ask that investor in your bed if he wants to get into your pants . . . the ones you design, I mean. Okurrrrr!

Me: What’d I tell you about Cardi B? LOL! And NO. I’m not asking Kenan to invest in gLo. Forget about it. Can we make sure our shit is tight so we don’t have to ask my boyfriend to float us? TYVM.

Billie: Right. Let’s impress these investors. Lo, did the samples make it to San Diego?

Me: Yup. They’re here at Kenan’s place. I’ll bring them with me to LA next week. Are you guys apartment hunting while you’re there?

Billie: Affirmative!

Yari: Yes, mami!

Simone’s face interrupts onscreen with a FaceTime request.

Me: Gotta go. TTYL.

Yari: Deuces!

Billie: Byyyyyyyye.

I accept the FaceTime request and smile at Simone onscreen.

“Hey, lady!” I hop onto one of the counter stools in the kitchen and hold the phone in front of my face. “How’s camp?”

“Grueling.” Simone rolls her eyes, but grins. “I thought I knew how to dance. I had no idea. It’s a whole other level. There’s no time for much else.”

“At least Laguna Beach is gorgeous. I hope you get in some sun and surfing.”

A shadow crosses Simone’s face. “I keep thinking about the last time Daddy brought me up here. The accident.”

Even with the terror behind us, my heart still stutters and my hands clench where they rest on the counter.

“I know.” I shake off that memory and laugh to dispel the heaviness. “He was back on court as soon as the doctor cleared him, though. Remember? We had to practically tie him to the bed.”

“Daddy was not about to miss the Waves’ first playoff season.”

“Hey, we might get to go to more playoff games. Maybe next time, they’ll win it all.”

Simone’s eyes brighten and a smile breaks on her face. “Or what if Daddy retires?”

Kenan missed a lot with her during his career, and she obviously loves the prospect of having him around

more. So do I. He’s seriously considering making this next season his last.

“Maybe,” I reply noncommittally. I’m sure that’s a tougher decision for him than we can really understand. Probably even more than he can grasp until he experiences that huge void where ball used to be.