Page 8 of The Marriage Rebound

“You ain’t wrong.” She started singing “we’re getting a parade” and dancing in her seat.

Those around us joined in and soon it became a whole thing, with the energy getting amped just as it had been the night before. Hell, even the flight attendants were smiling and dancing to the tune. My mood couldn’t remain sour with so much positivity surrounding me. After a couple of playful shoves from Tina, I too took part.

For the remainder of the flight I was able to keep my other warring emotions under wraps. Part of me was even willing to let her lack of contact go because I knew she could be petty at times when her feelings were hurt. I had missed her and wished she’d been there. I had wanted to share that moment with her. Hell, if we had lost, I probably would have wanted her there to hold me in my disappointment. I could admit I fucked up in telling her no this time.

But she couldn’t put it aside at all? No answer to my calls? Or return of my messages? That was taking petty to a new level considering the situation. And I truly couldn’t believe she’d take it this far.

As the bus approached the arena, a few of the ladies leaned forward in their seats, glancing out the windows. Instead of going to the back gate like usual, I noticed we were heading to the front where a small crowd awaited. A smile formed seeing our fans out, cheering, holding signs, being here to welcome and support us for our win. There were even several TV station vans parked nearby with reporters recording our arrival.

After disembarking, I saw some of my teammates hugging their family members; a few were already signing autographs. I scanned the smaller crowd in front of the barricade and didn’t see Sasha. The knife to the heart that’d hit me after the game stabbed at me again, twisting the wound wider so I was left feeling cold and empty.

How could she not be here?

There was being petty for being hurt, but this . . . this was fucking downright vindictive.

I didn’t have time to sit in the anger, as I was engulfed in a tight hug.

“Congrats, Courtney,” Doc’s sister Jah squealed while jumping up and down without releasing her hold on me.

I returned her warm, enthusiastic embrace, letting her joy burn away some of the bitterness threating to swallow me whole. “Thanks, Jah . . . but didn’t you have a baby like two days ago? Shouldn’t you still be in the hospital, or on bed rest, or something?”

She laughed and gave me one last squeeze before letting me go. “Four days, and they boot you from the hospital after like forty-eight hours for a ‘standard’ birth. As if there is anything standard about pushing a watermelon out a pee hole, let’s be real.”

I clenched at her words and shuddered at the thought. “Even more reason to be taking it slow.”

Jah linked her arm in mine and started us toward where her sister and Shae stood signing some autographs, until a couple of fans yelled out my name, getting my attention. I stopped to sign the items thrust at me, and posed for a few pictures. They shouted congrats, and good-jobs, and I-love-yous. It felt good, the appreciation, being adored like this. To be recognized for our hard work over the years.

They’d all taken time out of their day, possibly time off work to be here for us. Strangers cared more. And if I noticed Sasha’s absence, my friends would as well, and questions would be asked. For now, I would soak up this moment. As I moved to the next set of fans waiting, I stopped when something . . . rather, someone . . . caught my eye.

Sasha. Laughing, smiling, and hugging up on Tina and Shannon. Along with her friend Denise, who was putting herself front and center in every shot aimed in their direction.

Sasha was here. But how was I not the first person she ran to?

I tried to refocus and give my full attention to the people in front of me, but I couldn’t stop casting glances, waiting for her to attempt to make her way to me. But she didn’t.

The knife twisted again.

After a few more interactions with fans, I headed toward my wife, who still hadn’t bothered to look my way.

What the actual fuck? The goodwill I had gained disintegrated into tiny particles of hurt, frustration, and complete annoyance.

Blowing out a slow breath, I did my best not to roll my eyes as Denise approached. It wasn’t necessary that I like all of Sasha’s friends, but this one . . . she always had something to say, and very rarely was any of it good. Little snide comments that I knew were meant to get under my skin, especially when she enabled the worst of Sasha’s attitudes. I did my best to keep my time around her limited, so for Sasha to bring her—it was certainly a deliberate choice.

I took in Denise’s appearance. The freshly done knotless goddess braids were a two-tone mix of black and light brown. She was always dressed for maximum attention, something she and Sasha had in common. Denise wore a dark blue halter crop top with an open cutout in the middle, giving a front and center view of her cleavage and underboob tattoo that was inspired by the one Rihanna had. It was paired with cutoff jean shorts and I was sure, should she turn around, she’d have some cheek showing.

“Hey, Courtney,” Denise said, stretching out the greeting. She crossed her arm and pulled her glossy brown lips to the side in a smug smirk. “Congrats, I guess.”

She guessed? No, nope, wasn’t going to take what was obvious bait from her. “Thanks.”

I clipped out the word then moved around her to make my way to Sasha. I slid my hand along her lower back and bent to whisper near her ear. “So, you just not gonna speak?”

She licked her lips and cut her eyes to the side to give me a quick glance. “I was congratulating the team.”

“But not your wife?” My response was louder than I intended. A few of the players around looked in our direction before quickly averting their gazes.

She turned to face me, planting her hands on her hips. “Oh, now you want my support.” As she went to walk off, I grabbed her wrist. We stared at each other for a while, the air around us thickening with increasing tension.

I ground my teeth together and forced a hard exhale through my nose. I started to speak, but Shae walked over, placing a hand on my arm. “Yo, need you over here for a quick group shot for the newspeople.”