Page 58 of Break Point

Me: It was terrible.

I send that to buy myself some time. I’m about to give up, when bless Ollie and Nez for saving my ass. I hit record on my phone as they attempt their first rap of the night. It’s cringey beyond belief, and Nez keeps messing up which word he’s supposed to emphasize, so nothing rhymes even though it could if he weren’t such a dumbass. I hit send once I’ve captured forty seconds, then wait for her to listen and respond.

Jaden: Yeah, that wins. In fact, I’m saving this and making it my alarm tone for the week. It’s a great reminder that I could always sink a little lower.

I laugh out loud at her response, and the defensive line coach rolls his head to the side and cracks an eyelid open to look at me from across the aisle. He points his thumb over his shoulder to the performers all gathered in the middle seats.

“This shit is laughable, all right? The one damn time I forget my earbuds.” He shakes his head and shifts his position so his right ear is smushed against the headrest. If he can sleep through this, I’ll be shocked.

Jaden: I won my match. Taryn and I won doubles. We got a trophy.

I wait for the bad news to drift in next, but the dots stop.

Me: Seems like you had a pretty good day. What am I missing?

I have an inkling of what it is, and it’s not something that’s easy to describe to most other people. But I hope Jaden knows I’ll get it. Sports at our level are hard on the heart and soul. They can crush you, even when you’re winning.

Jaden: At the end of the day, I’m still number 2.

I nod. It’s exactly what I thought.

Me: For now.

I follow my text up with a smiley face, though I thought about adding a heart. Jaden and I have shifted into new territory. We haven’t really talked about what we are, and I wouldn’t want to assume I’m anything I don’t deserve to be. But as it stands for me, if she’s okay with it, she’s my girl. I haven’t been pretending when it comes to our relationship for a while, not since I dunked her in the fountain and she excoriated me over it, if I’m being honest with myself.

Jaden: I guess. I can challenge this week. I need to find my swing, though. I’ve been hitting too many net shots. I get lucky most of the time, but it’s like I’m calibrated wrong. That probably makes zero sense.

I shake my head, because actually, it makes a ton of sense.

Me: No, I get it. Last season, I had two games with five interceptions total. It was like my arm simply wouldn’t align with my eyesight. I went in to see Aaron, and you know what he did?

She sends back a quick question mark.

Me: He gave me Pop Rocks.

Jaden: Liar.

Rather than typing my response, I decide to send her a voice memo. It’s still pretty loud in here, but she should be able to hear me on her end.

“It’s true,” I say. “He’s the reason I believe in the power of the candy. I went through four packs of watermelon-flavored ones, and voilà. I haven’t thrown a pick since.”

I hit send and wait for her reply.

Jaden: Bullshit. You threw one in the playoffs.

Shit. She’s right. I did. I threw two, actually.

I press record again.

“And you know why? Because I didn’t get my weekly dose of the rocks that week. I’m telling you. Go find those suckers and try them. It works. You’ll be serving like that pro you idolize.” I can’t remember her name, but I’m sure Jaden will school me on it. I hit send.

Jaden: I doubt Kathrine Maltese deploys Pop Rocks.

I smirk and type back.

Me: Well, not now, she’s retired.

Jaden sends me the neutral face emoji in response to my lame joke, but finally types ​​fine. One second.​​