Page 83 of Well Aware

Court caught up to us as we were halfway there. “You played well. Hesitant at first, but once you got into your groove, your passes and actions became a lot smoother.”

“I was terrified,” I admitted. “I never want to feel a bone of mine break again. But once I got my confidence back, everything else was great. Also, it was a great idea to go with this cast. You were right.”

It was some mesh-like plastic thing that had no give, but was breathable and easy to clean. It was practically made for athletes.

“Had one myself before I retired,” he said. “Only thing I couldn’t do well with it on was throw-ins.”

We were just rounding the back of Beau’s vehicle when a person came into view.

I scowled when I saw it was Eloy.

He scowled right back when he saw that I had my hand in Beau’s.

“Mag, can we talk?”

I shook my head. “We’re headed to eat with friends. I’m sorry, but I don’t have time to speak with you.” I hesitated. “Nor do I really want to.”

He scratched the back of his head. “It won’t take but five minutes.”

I looked back at Beau. “Can you get her in the car and give me five?”

Because it looked like Eloy wouldn’t leave me alone until I gave him his five minutes. Plus, maybe this way I would get through to him that what we had was gone.

Beau walked to the door while I stepped off to the side, not out of earshot if I yelled, but not close enough that they could overhear our words.

“What is it, Eloy?”

He was quiet for a long moment, which only served to piss me off.

“You asked for five minutes, and you’re not going to take it?” I asked.

“I’m thinking about how to say this,” he growled. “Give me a moment.”

My head hurt with how hard I rolled my eyes. “Eloy.”

“Ugh!” He threw up his hands. “I’m just trying to figure out how to apologize.”

“For what?” I asked. “Getting drunk outside of my house and banging on the door so hard that it woke up the neighbors?”

“No, for telling Cain that there was something you were hiding from him after he bailed me out.” He winced.

I gasped. “You what?”

TWENTY-ONE

Can men walk in a way that makes their balls swing like women do with their ponytails?

—Text from Magnolia to Beau

BEAU

She was mad as hell, and you could see the anger written in every single muscle of her body.

“What do you think he said?” Court asked.

I was about done keeping my distance.

I didn’t like seeing her this angry.