page26 (1/2)

The arena is packed to the gills, fans wanting to see the new point guard in action It’s loud and bright My skull is a prison for an incessant buzzing sound that has only gotten louder over the last eight days Pain beats in all areas ofwarn object inher skin I wish I’d come inside of her

How did I stop myself?

How did I pull out of that tight perfection?

I’m still not sure I just couldn’t allow myself to become an easy hookup to her, because, Jesus, that would endundone, she ht be tempted to find her way hoifts I’ve sent have worked None ofout of ideas and I’one Howdown the door of her apart her ho her up?

Too many times to count

And it is beginning to look like my only viable choice

She’ll hate me But at least she’ll be with me

This distance is torture Not hearing her voice is driving me insane

I go through theoff the ball to the next player in line Solance over, planning to give them a perfunctory wave—and that’s when I see her

Greta

On the sidelines by herself, watching me with…is that affection in her eyes?

Do I even have the audacity to hope?

I stop dead in ly in my ears “Greta?”

A smile spreads across her mouth, her eyes luminous And when she stands up, I notice for the first ti It’s an LA jersey I know before she even turns around that h photographers and a sideline reporter, the buzzing sound growing diirl Please don’t let her be a hts without sleep

But no

She’s real

When I reach Greta and she opens her ar like I’ve just run eighteen h to ainst el?”

Please please please