Chapter 21
Daniel
With a quick crossover, I bounce the ball from my left hand to my right and pivot quickly. I dribble down the driveway with my best friend on my heels. But I’m too fast. I shoot the ball up against the backboard and it ricochets, swooping flush through the net.
“Score, motherfucker!” I yelp, flinging my arms up victoriously as Keeland bends over with his hands on his knees and drops his head down. His soaked t-shirt clings to his back as he pants for air. “You’re losing your touch, Master Kee!” I tease as I whizz around him. I manage to grab the ball before it rolls under the scaffolding leaned against the side of the house.
Keeland and Sammie are that annoying couple whose house is constantly under renovations. They need to just stop it already.
He straightens, pushing sweat from his forehead. “What the hell are you on? Jet fuel? Since when do you have this much energy?”
I tear across the pavement and take the opportunity to score a three-pointer this time. “Hell yeah!”
Keeland isn’t impressed. “That’s it – I’m taking a break!” He strides over to the tarp-covered bags of cement lining the edge of the vegetable garden and picks up his towel to wipe down his face. He drops onto the cement bags, grabbing his water bottle and taking a long drink. “Oh, stop your gloating. Basketball was never my sport.” He rolls his eyes.
My breath fogs up the cold air in front of me when I laugh. Dropping down next to him, I grab my own drink. “Sore loser, as always.” I’m enjoying a rare, work-free Wednesday evening by playing a pick-up game with my friend.
“Look, man. I am so fucking tired. Exhausted. Hannah has got me up all freakin’ night. I don’t know how some people do it with twins or triplets.”
“Tell me about it.” I think back to when Sebastian was a newborn. That was one of the hardest periods of my life. I was overwhelmed with joy but at the same time I was drained from balancing my work with his erratic schedule and a wife who was literally falling apart. Maybe if Grace and I could have worked as a team, it would have been easier but every time either of us opened our mouth, it would end in a fight.
Keeland is still venting. “I’ll tell ya – I have a newfound respect for the Octomom. I wouldn’t survive the emotional assault of listening to eight babies crying at the same time.”
I chuckle curtly. “Stop complaining, man. You’re lucky. You’ve got a family. Two pretty girls who love you.”
He speaks quickly. “I know it, bro. I love my wife and my kid. They’re the biggest blessing I’ve ever had. I shouldn’t complain. I couldn’t go a day without them. I’ve only been out of the house for an hour and it already feels like I’ve been gone too long.” His eyes grow wet and he sniffles into his fist.
This guy’s hormones are all over the place. “Dude – you’re sitting in your driveway. Get a grip!”
Chuckling embarrassedly, he wipes his nose. “I’m sorry. I can’t imagine how hard it is for you to be separated from Grace and Sebastian. How are you holding up?”
A shit-eating grin comes to my lips. “Man, the separation is just temporary. It’s only a matter of time before I’m back home. We’re gonna get back together. I feel it.”
He takes me in with an arched brow. “Really? What’s changed?”
I bat my eyes girlishly. “Let’s just say I don’t kiss and tell.”
Keeland roars with laughter. “Are you serious? You’re back in the saddle with Grace?” He holds up both fists and does a vulgar thrusting motion with his hips, causing the cement bags to shift.
“You’re a fool!” I punch him in the shoulder and grin widely. “I’m back in the saddle. It’s only a matter of time until I’m back in the stable, too.”
His eyes shine. “Happy for you, brother. That’s good news. So, have you guys talked about getting back together?”
“We let our bodies do the talking.” I throw him a wink.
“You, pig!” He drops his head back and laughs in his throat. “But seriously – did you guys actually talk about what you’re doing?”
“There’s no need to talk. It’s clear that we both want the same thing. We just need to give it time.”
My best friend shakes his head warily. “I wouldn’t get my hopes up until you’ve actually talked to her about where this is going. You know how women are with their feelings. They could be doing one thing with their body and thinking something different with their mind.”
“Keeland – I know my wife,” I say defensively.
His eyes darken with a warning look. “Don’t be an idiot, Daniel.”
I repeat myself, in case he didn’t hear me the first time. “I know my wife!”
“If you say so.” He makes a placating move with his hands.
Just then, the screen door slams shut and my sister appears around the corner, tiptoeing over the makeshift bridge of wooden planks, with my niece bundled up in her arms.
“Careful! Careful!” Keeland says, rushing over to grab her elbow and guide her to safety. “What are you doing out here anyway?”
Sammie kisses her hubby’s cheek. “Came to tell you guys that dinner is ready. I made Hamburger Helper. I’ve got a newborn. Don’t judge me.”
I rise to my feet. “Ah, I’m not sticking around for dinner.”
“Off to see Gracie, I hope?” Sammie arches a brow.
“Maybe…” I say, being deliberately vague as I approach little Hannah with outstretched arms.
Sammie quickly angles her body away. “Nuh-uh. You’ve got basketball hands, Uncle Daniel.”
Keeland chuckles. “That was cold, mama bear!” I roll my eyes and she shrugs.
“Would you and your wife hurry up and work your shit out?” my sister asks. “The renovations are almost done and our housewarming party is in a few weeks. I don’t need the two of you stinking up the air with any awkward energy.”
“Mind your business, Samantha.” I grab my gray sweatshirt and pull it over my head.
“Fix your marriage, Daniel.” She smirks. “Because we’re all getting tired of the tension and weirdness. I swear – I’m on the verge of kidnapping the both of you and locking you in a room until you talk things out.”
I laugh. Despite her indelicate delivery, this is Sammie’s way of showing that she cares. “Don’t worry about me and Grace.” Keeland and I bump fists and I stroke Hannah’s little head.
My sister ducks and swats my hand away when I pinch the tip of her nose. “Ugh! Your hands are filthy!”
“Go enjoy your dinner,” I say as I stroll off to my car parked on the curb.
I hear Keeland ask what’s for dessert. “This ass,” my sister giggles and smacks her butt.
Her husband squeals. “That was hot, mama bear.”
Ugh!
“Dude!” I say as climb behind the wheel. “That’s my little sister you’re talking about.”
Sammie and Keeland’s happy laughter mixes in the air as they step into their perfect suburban home, enjoying their perfect suburban life against the backdrop of the setting sun. That used to be my life.
I think of my wife and – damn – I want that back.