Chapter 37
Ajori
“Jo… you think after surgery I’ll be able to play basketball again?”
Kyrin’s voice was softer than usual, almost timid, and that alone told me a lot about his underlying nerves.
I was seated in a chair across from him, elbows resting on my knees as I looked at him.
Just two days remaining until the surgery… the looming date hung between us like a heavy cloud.
I took a deep breath, trying to inject some confidence into my voice. “Absolutely. You’re going to be crossing people up before you know it."
He squinted at me, in confusion. “Crossing people up?”
“Yeah,” I nodded with enthusiasm. “Breaking ankles, making folks fall... you know, embarrassing them on the court.”
He smirked a little. “I already do that. I just ain’t been able to show you yet ‘cause my heart be acting fake.”
I shook my head lightly, a smile breaking free despite the seriousness of the situation.
Then, almost out of nowhere, his expression shifted. “Do you like Domino?”
I blinked repeatedly, taken aback by his questionandcuriosity. “What?”
Kyrin shrugged, as if the question bore no significance. “Well, do you?”
“Why do you think that?” I replied, unsure how to respond.
He gave me that look kids give when they know way too much for their age. “Jo… I see stuff.”
I let out a small sigh, my heart beating a little faster. I didn’t even feel like lying. Still, I hesitated a moment before admitting, “I mean… he’s not as mean as I thought. We talked, and I got to know him a little better.”
Actually… a lot better.
Kyrin’s face lit up as if I’d just confirmed something important. “So you and him getting married soon?”
“Whoa!” I sat up straighter, chuckling. “Slow down, sport.”
He laughed. “I’m just asking. When two people like each other, they go together, then get married, right?”
I chuckled, then leaned in slightly, shifting into my big-sister mode. “Kyrin, marriage isn’t something you just jump into like that. It’s serious stuff. It’s about love, trust, andreallyknowing someone.”
He nodded like he was absorbing every word, then tilted his head thoughtfully. “Well… you deserve somebody who really loves you; someone other than me and Lainey. You’re always taking care of everybody else. Shouldn’t somebody take care of you, too?”
My chest tightened at his words.
Reaching over, I nudged his shoulder affectionately. “You’re absolutely right. I’m not sure what the future holds, but we’ll see what the universe decides.”
He smirked knowingly. “The universe already knows.”
I chuckled lightly. “For now, let’s just focus on gettingyoubetter, okay?”
He nodded, and just then, a soft knock interrupted our moment.
“Come in,” Kyrin called, his voice regaining its usual enthusiasm.
The door creaked open, and Domino appeared.