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Chapter 53

Hey Theresa. Want to come over and play some basketball? The text from Logan surprised me. Bradley and James left a little less than a week ago and I was expecting to not hear from Logan anytime soon.

Only if you're prepared to be destroyed. I replied. I was nervous about being alone with Logan.

You want to bet?

You're on.

What's the bet?

If I can get three baskets in a row then you have to go to the carnival with me.

Deal!

I'll be there in 20?

See you at the park. I got into my dad's car and drove to the park at the end of his neighborhood. I park near the basketball court where Logan is shooting hoops. When he sees my car pull up he walks over and throws me the ball. "Hey."

"Hey." I smile up at him.

"How are you?" He asks, as he stands right in front of me.

"I'm doing alright. How are you?"

"I'm good. The construction jobs have been killing me." His body is more muscular than it was at the beginning of the summer.

"What do you do?"

"I am the guy that gets swung to the top the buildings and hammers nails into the beams. I do a little bit of everything. How about you? How is the office job?"

"Everyone is really nice! It is easy and I get to be close to something I love."

"I'm happy for you. So the carnival yeah?"

"Yes sir. Let me have warm up shots though!"

"Ok, but I don't think it will help." I throw the basketball five times purposely missing the hoops. The park by my house had a basketball court that I would play at when Moose was running around at the dog park. Each time I missed he would laugh. "It's not too late to take back the bet."

"Hush. Ok, three in a row starting now!" I throw the basketball three times getting them all in the hoop. I look over at Logan and smile.

He shakes his head in defeat and smiles. "You tricked me."

"Maybe I'm just lucky." I smile up at him as he walks towards me and grabs the basketball.

"I think tricking is against the rules and the bet is disqualified."

"No, bets don't work that way. You should have known your opponent better." I say smiling.

"What else don't I know about you Theresa?"

"I am secretly a spy." I wink at him.

He laughs and tosses the ball into the basket. "Well, you are a horrible spy. You already blew your cover."

"It's only my first day on the job. You can't blame me." We spend the next hour shooting hoops and cracking jokes at each other. I hadn't realized how much I missed hanging out with Logan just the two of us. He seemed more open and happy. We spent the next hour walking around the park just talking about random things we have experienced since graduation.

"So, can I ask about Anna?" I shyly ask.

"Yeah, I mean there isn't anything you don't already know." He says as the basketball loudly hits the backboard.

"Do you ever miss her?"

"Not as much as I expected to. The last few months I have been able to breathe. I wanted to tell you that I got called back into the recruiter's office."

"Oh, really? What does that mean?"

"Well my physical turned out fine and my background check came up clear."

"So you're joining the Army?"

"It is a real possibility. I have to take a test still to see where I can place."

"When do you have to take that?"

"Probably next month. I have to wait for my recruiter to give me more details." We walk back to my car. I didn't want to leave, but I also didn't want to be a burden on his time. "Do you have to leave so soon?"

"Um, no, but we could always go get some food."

"It is like you read my mind. Wait, this is the first time you will have driven me somewhere."

"Are you scared?"

"Very much!" He walks around the front of the car andgets into the passenger's side. We arrive at Chipotle and sit and eat as wecontinue our conversation about his want to join the military. Secretly I kindof don't want him to leave, but I know that this is what he's been talkingabout since we ever became friends.