Page 73 of Kickoff

“You’re probably right. Remember when Coach ordered DeKosky to work with that lady last year? He shed eighty pounds and went from fat to fit within a few months.”

I pushed a piece of fry into my mouth. “Mel’s coach has her eating all through the day instead of regular meals. I’ve heard about that. Not sure I could survive on snacking, though.”

“Fuck that. Me neither. I like food too much, and I’m always starving.” He lifted his shirt to give me a glimpse of his toned abs. “These babies never complain.”

I tossed a balled-up napkin at him. “Stop showing off, man. I’m not interested in your six-pack.”

“You’re more interested in a set of swimmer thighs and rubber ducks nowadays.”

“Rubber ducks, really?”

Chase waggled his brows. “Oh, it’s not what you guys are doing when you’re together? Taking baths and playing with yellow rubbers?”

“Shut up, man. For once, shut it.”

Melinda returned minutes later, resuming her seat next to me.

“Mel, I have a very important question for you,” Chase said in a serious tone.

“Careful, man.” I didn’t want him to spin his yellow-rubber thing on my girl.

“Can I finish your plate? I’m a growing boy, and I’m always famished.”

Her laughter vibrated across the room. “Super original. Mase is always feeding me the same line.”

A mischievous smirk brightened my best friend’s face. “I thought he was too busy feeding you other things?”

“Chase,” I warned through gritted teeth at the same time Melinda said, “All yours.”

“Man, don’t be a pig.” I watched him and shook my head.

“I’m sure Mel here loves it when you’re being a pig. I’m just helping you out in case you lack some moves these days. The rumor is that you can’t score anymore.” He flashed me a smile and attacked Melinda’s leftovers like he hadn’t just inhaled a burger minutes ago.

“Chase,” I warned.

“Just keeping you up with what people are saying about you, man. True best friends watch out for each other.”

I shot him a pointed look and scooted on my seat until my arm brushed against Melinda’s. “You good?”

She turned to look at me. “Yeah.”

“You’ve barely eaten anything. You sure you don’t want me to order you something else?”

“I had breakfast after our run this morning and a protein shake when I woke up. Already told you.” With a finger, she combed away a curl of my hair that was covering my left eye.

Goose bumps blossomed over my back. I shut my eyelids and took a deep inhale, trying not to lose my self-control. We stayed like that, suspended in time for a minute. Chase kept talking, but we both had blocked him out.

“Mase, wanna stay here or go home and have a rematch?” Melinda asked before dropping her hand.

I popped my eyes open. “A rematch?” I cleared my throat. Why did my voice sound rough?

“I haven’t dribbled a basketball in years. It could be fun to…I don’t know…play again, you and me. Make up for lost time… What do you think?”

We stared at each other. Was I imagining things, or was Melinda trying to ditch my friend so we’d be alone, she and I?

“We’re out of here,” I told Chase, jumping to my feet and slinging both our bags over my shoulder. “I’ll see you later, man. Don’t go home. Your old man doesn’t deserve your giving him that much power over you. Some of the guys are playing laser tag at three. You can have my spot. Be at my place at six for dinner and bring your stuff so you can spend the night.”

“Thanks, Mase.”