.
"I don't know why we are even doing this? I'm getting married. In two weeks, no less." Jacob snapped just before she launched the ball at his chest. Leah strode down the back steps of her parents' house, her brow raised.
"You don't want to marry her, Jake" Leah said tightly, in a way that pissed Jacob off immensely. She knew which buttons to press to rile him up. She'd always known. Women like her were born with the uncanny ability.
"How the fuck would you know?"
She sighed. "I know you can out ball me, Jake. I'm not stupid. So… it means, if you lose, you let me win. And that you still love me."
He barked a laugh as he squeezed the ball between his open palms, pressing down hard. "I don't lose, Leah, you should know that by now. And I'm not going to let you win anything."
"We'll see," Leah breathed out, crossing her arms at her waist to tug the singlet over her head.
She stood in a red sports bra, her black Nike shorts and her lucky red and white high-tops. She undid her french bun styled hair and pushed the tresses from her neck and forehead, tying it in a high pony tail. She moved her hands to her hips, to make sure her shorts were snug and comfortable, then waited for him to check the ball.
She felt hopeful as his dark eyes swept over each part of her exposed skin. She wanted him to remember her.
Remember them.
She wasn't going to lose him that easily.
Not when she'd wasted so many years without him.
Jacob scowled as he bounced the ball to her. "You know what, you can even start."
Leah bounced the ball several times, her eyes darting from him to the backboard of the old basketball ring. It had seen its fair share of years, with the emblems starting to slowly fade with time.
"How's your three point game?" he riled, swiping to try and steal the ball. With the brace on his leg it made it difficult to move, but his hands and mouth still worked.
"Still amazing." Leah confirmed as she feigned right, then left.
Jacob could see the movements before she began, but the brace constricted his own agility, causing her to spin quickly, and almost easily, around him.
Like the smart-ass she was she didn't even try for a layup, instead opting simply to step back and spin the ball. He swore loudly as the ball sailed through the net, her copper skin shinning dangerous in the sunlight, face full of mirth.
"1-0," she lamented as he hobbled to grasp the bouncing ball.
"Check," he growled as he launched the ball at the cement, causing it to pop back up in front of her face.
Quickly swiping it, she angled her knees and tucked the ball to the side of her waist. Her eyes darted around the small half court, her gaze watching the shimmy of his hips and the heavy step of his still injured leg.
The look of concentration of his face made her want to crumble. He wasn't going to let her win. The thought spurred her on as she bounced the ball and stepped towards him. She spun, pushing her back into his chest, shoving her way through the mountain of a man. Hands enclosed her, vying to clip the ball from her grasp. She grunted, pushing against him with even more intent.
"Quit it!" she hissed as his hand continued to reach for the ball while his other hand tugged on the waist of her shorts. His thighs pressed tightly up against the back of hers, his abnormally long limbs causing her to bend to keep the ball out of his grips.
"All's fair, Clearwater," he snapped back as he pulled her shorts tightly to keep her within reaching distance.
Leah, not thinking, jerked her elbow back, causing it to slam straight into his face. With a moment of distraction, she stepped around him and shot the ball up toward the corner square of the backboard. The ball circled the ring but eventually dropped into the net.
"FUCK!" Jacob swore, clutching his nose. Blood slid through his thick fingers. When she moved to see the injury, he shooed her hands away.
"Stop being a baby." She growled, grabbing his collar. Gently, but with strength, she urged his hands away. The closeness of their bodies had her hyperaware. She could smell him, a light wisp of pine and fresh clean soap. She wanted to smile at the thought that he still used the same brand of soap from childhood.
"A baby?! You broke my nose!"
"It's not broken," she chilled as she ran her thumb over the bridge.
He growled again, his hands coming out to grasp her wrists.
"Well… not yet."
.