Chapter 35 - The Backstabbing Bitch & The Player

Keegan’s POV

As I examined my appearance in the mirror, checking out my latest masterpiece from every angle, I couldn’t believe I had managed to finish making this dress in the time frame. I was up many nights making the bodice, but the lace was difficult to work with on my mother’s old machine. Cancelling on April had crossed my mind several times in the wee hours of the morning when the material kept getting snagged, and eventually, I had to end up hand stitching it, which was much more time-consuming. But I persevered, and now I was excited to show it off.

The bodice was made from sheer black lace with embellishments. Once you slipped it on, you could see little bits of my skin from underneath but not in a slutty way. The bodice joined on to a floor-length, figure-skimming skirt that hugged all the right curves. Since I confronted Ryder and my father it had helped me come to terms with everything that had happened to me. Without that added stress I started eating regular meals again, putting back on most of the weight that I had lost, and this dress was really showing it off.

I paired the dress with a pair of strappy black heels that I borrowed from Mackenna and a white gold pendant, bracelet and hoop earrings that I took from her jewellery box. I kept my makeup light and natural, letting the dress shine and curled my hair, letting the soft ringlets fall loosely on my back.
April offered to pick me up, and just before six in the evening, there was a limo waiting out the front of the apartment. She had pulled out the stops. After sharing a bottle of champagne in the car on the way to the venue, I was nice and relaxed. April told me that the event we were going to tonight was for the local children’s hospital. The Lakers had purchased a couple of tables, but due to a change in their schedules, they were all stuck in Boston and wouldn’t make it in time for the start of the dinner, so it was mainly just the wives in attendance and a few of the trainers and their partners that weren’t travelling with the team.

It was nice to see the other wives again, but with Layla at the helm and me no longer being connected to Ryder, it was like an ice wall had been put up between us. I couldn’t say the rest of the women that April introduced me to, especially when April talked about my talent and how I had made the dresses we were wearing. I think I had given my phone number out at least a dozen times, maybe being a designer wasn’t such a pipe dream.

When it was time to sit down for our two thousand dollars a plate meal, I couldn’t help but feel Layla watching me eat the most expensive lobster and steak dinner I had ever eaten. By the time dessert was served, it was starting to annoy me to the point that I couldn’t even enjoy my tiramisu.

Sighing, I placed my unused spoon next to the amazing looking dessert and stared Layla down, “Something on your mind Layla?”

She smiled at me sweetly, “No, I was just admiring your face and wondering who your plastic surgeon was. I heard that that Russian guy did a number on your face. Good thing Ryder took care of your medical expenses even though you had broken up. Did the doctor do anything other nip and tuck work? Your body looks amazing now. Too bad Ryder can’t see you now, but I guess the laker girls have been keeping him busy again from what I have heard.”

“Layla, you are so far out of line it is not funny.” April chastised her.

“No, it’s okay, April, I’ve got this.” I promised my friend, “No, Layla, despite what you heard in the tabloids, I wasn’t disfigured, and if you must know my extensive list of injuries, I’m happy to get my doctor to give you a call. I don’t know what your problem is, but I’m over playing your games. And, now that I am not dating Ryder, I don’t have to pretend to get along with you for the team's sake and can out you for the backstabbing bitch you are. Does Lauren know you told Sophie about her unfortunate accident with the sex swing that you swore you would take to your grave? Or does Missy know that whilst you raved to her face around her remodel, you threw out the card for her interior designer as soon as her back was turned and said that prison had more soul than her house had? Should I go on because I’m sure Tania would love to hear about what you think about her husband?”

“No.” She stammered, sinking in her seat, trying to get away from the glares of the friends that she had backstabbed.

I grabbed my champagne glass, downing the third of the glass I had remaining, “Well, it’s been a pleasure, ladies. If you are ever in need of an evening dress, please don’t hesitate to talk to April. She has my number.”

As I stood up and walked away, April was only a step behind me, “How the hell did you know all that stuff?”

“It’s amazing what you hear around you when the other person is a backstabbing bitch.” I replied as we headed back towards the limo, “Sorry, I’m cutting out early. If you want to stay and mingle, I’m happy to get a uber.”

“Don’t you dare.” She advised me, hooking arms with me, “As much as I would love to stay and watch Layla get taken down from her throne, I actually wanted to take you to one more place before we go home. I want to show you something.”

“Should I be worried?” I queried, not sure if I really wanted to know the answer.

She laughed, “just trust me, would you.”

I got in the limo, but I was on edge the entire drive, wondering what the hell she wanted to show me. Eventually, I realised that we were headed to the community center. I had been pretty slack and hadn’t been back here in a while. Instead, I sent the dresses in with Grams. I didn’t understand what we were doing here. I was about to ask April what was going on when the car pulled to the stop near the basketball court out the back, a lone figure on the court shooting hoops.

The court itself had changed a lot. There were now working lights around the edge of the court so the kids could play later during the winter when the sunset earlier, the court itself had been resurfaced, so there was now no risk of any of the kids twisting their ankles anymore, and the hoops had been replaced with brand new ones, ones that actually had nets. As for the sole person on the court, I didn’t need lights on to know who that person was. I watched him play for months. Whether it be in person or on the television, I knew every move he made on the court.

“What are you doing, April?” I asked, my voice trembling as I fought back the tears.

“Ryder came to me a few days ago to plead his case.” She explained, “I was ready to tell him to fuck off, but then I heard what he had to say. I wouldn’t blame you if you never spoke to me again, but I love you, and I love Ryder. I really think you should hear him out one more time. Layla lied. There haven’t been any other girls since you. He’s been a miserable mess since he let you go. I’m not going to force you to, just say the word, and we can go but please think about it.”

Part of me wanted to tell her to get me out of here as quickly as possible, but I was curious as well. April had been pretty strong in her opinion about Ryder before now, so I couldn’t help but wonder what he had said to her to change her mind.

My heart was racing as I put my hand on the door handle. It took all the inner strength I had to open the car door and get out of the car. Every step towards him felt like a mile, but I focused on the rhythmic sound of the basketball hitting the court and timed my walk with that sound it made. I listened to it until all sound halted when I was only a few steps from the court.

Ryder turned around a large smile on his face, “I was starting to think you weren’t going to get out of the car. You look beautiful, by the way.”
I gestured at him to pass me the ball, which I caught easily, spinning it in my hands as I walked towards the free-throw line, “You have got until I make five baskets to make your case.”

Before he could start talking, I bounced the ball a few times before throwing it towards the hoop, making a perfect swish in the basket right into Ryder’s hands as he was right underneath it. “Ummmm, how did you make that so easily?”

I held out my hands for the ball again, catching it easily when he threw it back and throwing it up again for another basket. “I played a little in high school before I tore my ACL, and you better start talking because, by my count, you’ve got three baskets worth of time left.”

Ryder sighed, bouncing the ball a few times before sending it back my way. “I was an idiot, okay. Walking away from you was the biggest mistake of my life.”

He paused, either unsure of what to say or stopping for dramatic effect, but I used it as my opportunity to sink another basket. “You’re not going to get any argument from me about what an idiot you were. And in case you’re not counting, you have two baskets left, so I would speed it up already.”

“I was scared, okay.” He admitted, tossing the ball back before rubbing the back of his neck, “I lost my mother, my father, my sister nearly died. I closed myself off, and then you came along. You made me feel things that I didn’t think I would ever feel, and then I almost lost you. It scared me. I walked away because I never wanted to feel that hurt again. I told myself that I was doing it to protect you from me, that I was cursed, but the truth is I was trying to protect myself. I thought that a little pain now was better than a lot of pain later when you finalised realised that you were too good for me.”

My resolve was rapidly decreasing. I took a big gulp and made my second last basket. “You didn’t even give me a chance or choice in this, Ryder. You made a decision about our relationship without including me in the process. You hurt me.”

His eyes softened as he gave me the ball back one final time. I just needed one more basket, and then I could leave and never have him darken my doorstep again. I could have made it now, but I hesitated. Every part of my brain was screaming at me to hear more.

“I know I did, and if you let me, I will spend the rest of my life making it up to you. Keegan, I brought you here because I was standing right here on the day of the fundraiser was when I decided I wanted to be a better man. I thought it was to help the kids out who had basketball talent but no access to the facilities to hone those talents, but I think secretly I wanted to become a man that deserved you in his life. I didn’t know what we were that day. I knew you deserved better than a player in your life, and I wanted to give that to you. Every day you make me want to do more, to be more. I love you, Keegan. I think I will always love you. Even if you choose to walk away, I will never stop being the man I should have been for you.”

I shot my final basket, and it was nothing but net.

Ryder caught the ball, frowned and nodded, “I get it. Thanks for listening.”

I watched as he placed the ball on the ground, not making eye contact with me as he stood back up and started to walk away. I quickly made my way over to the ball, picking it up and throwing it at him, hitting him in the middle of the back.

I got a small bit of satisfaction hearing him yell before he spun around, “What the hell was that?”

“You had five baskets to make your case which you did, and that means it’s my turn now,” I told him calmly.

“Okay, it’s your turn.” He replied, the hopefulness clearly evident in his voice.

I slowly started to walk towards me, “If you ever try to make a decision about the two of us again without involving me in that decision, I will cut your balls off with a blunt knife before I walk away and never look back. You got it?”

A massive smile broke out across his face, “If that means you’re going to give me a second chance, then yes, I got it.”

“Then get over here and kiss me, you big idiot before I change my mind.”