Jack
~☯~
The ball hit the hardwood with a hollow thud, spinning off my fingertips before it drops through the hoop. Clean. echoing through Cody’s private court
“Alright, bro… you win,” Jimmie groans, dragging himself to the sideline, grabbing he's water bottle bottle in he's hand, titling he's head back.He sounds beat. Looks it too.
I smirk but didn't celebrate. I drop onto my back in the middle of the court, the faint smell of polished wood mixing with sweat. Threw a towel over my face, blocking out the light.
Cody’s foot taps my leg. “Where’s Eden?”
No answer. Just a raised middle finger from under the towel.
A scoff from Jimmie. “What, you two got beef now?”
I pull the towel away, sitting up slow. “How would I know?” My voice comes out low, rough. I shove the towel into my bag, zipping it halfway.
I am still irritated with the way he spoke with me earlier in the library today.
Cody steps closer, an arm dropping heavy across my shoulders. “Whatever’s going on… fix it.”
“For real,” Jimmie adds, eyes flicking between us.
“We’re not fighting,” I say, voice flat. “He’s just got his own thing right now.”
“He’ll show for Saturday,” Cody says. Like he was sure.
Jimmie takes a pull from his bottle. “Better. Group’s been scattered too long.”
My phone rings. The name on the screen freezes me.
I answer.
“Your father wants you home for Dinner. Tonight.” The voice was clip, military.
“Does it have to be today?”
I stare off toward the far corner of the court
“Yes Sir.” Click.
The line went dead before I could even mutter a word...Typical.
Silence hangs for a beat before Jimmie speaks, his voice quieter. “One of those dinners, huh?”
I don't answer. Get up and Just sling my bag over my shoulder.
Cody leans on the wall, looking at me. “Gotta be hell… having to sit through it with her there.”
My eyes cut to him — sharp enough to draw blood. “I’ll see you later.”
I turn for the door. Out of the corner of my eye, I catch Cody rubbing the back of his neck, like he knew he’d stepped too close.
The court door shuts behind me, echoing down the hallway. And I keep walking.
YOU ARE READING
To Be With You : Beneath Your Paradise
RomanceI wish I had never met him. If he had never looked in my direction, would things be different now? I ask myself that question every time I think about Jack Carlos-his smile, his confidence, the way his eyes seemed to see right through me from the ve...
