Chapter 29: Jealously Woes
Marshall’s breathing was steady as he stared across the paved driveway that snaked around the back of his house. The basketball ring was perched on the other side, with painted lines marked out a homemade half court. Proof was facing him, sweating heavily despite the cool weather. He had his hands on his hips, practically heaving.
“You straight?” Marshall called out as he bounced the ball up and down, knees bent, keeping low to the ground.
Proof dropped his hands and clapped. “Bring it on, cheater.”
He rolled his eyes, “I don’t cheat.”
Proof just smiled and let it go, “Hurry up, then.” Sure of his skills, he dribbled the ball up the paved court as Proof just stood there shaking his head, hardly putting up a defense. “You’re travelling!”
Marshall ignored him, “No, I’m not!” As he approached, Proof skillfully attacked him, slapping the ball straight out his grip and dribbling it back over the court line. He cursed, upset that he’d lost the ball again. He glanced over to the sidelines and saw Riley cheering him on, wearing the blue knitted scarf he’d brought her as a moving gift. The color brought out her eyes incredibly, to the point that he’d gotten distracted and hadn’t noticed Proof flop onto the pavement.
Worried he may be hurt, they sprinted up to him only to see that Proof had collapsed from exhaustion and was breathing heavily on the ground. “I’m done,” He gasped. “You’re a machine. But I still kicked your ass.”
Marshall shook his head and held out his hand, pulling Proof to his feet. “I didn’t travel half the times you said I did.”
Proof just gave him a look with a sly smile, “You can’t dribble the ball two feet without travelling.” He couldn’t even argue, knowing it was true. While he was much fitter, Proof was more skilled at basketball. But he loved the game too much to give it up. Riley snatched the ball off Proof, bouncing it up and down at her side, absently.
“Oh that’s true,” Riley agreed with a cheeky smile.
Marshall just pulled a wounded face, “You’re supposed to be on my side.”
She leant in and kissed him on the cheek, “I am on your side. I cheered for you even though you were losing.”
He shook his head, taking the bait. “Like you could do better.”
As if to prove him wrong, she raised a brow at him, turned to face the ring and raised her arms, shooting the ball. Surprisingly, it soared across the court and landed cleanly through the net. Marshall was shocked and Proof just started laughing, thinking it was hilarious that Riley had just showed him up at basketball.
Feeling the dent in his pride, he launched at her, tackling her around the waist and lifting her up into his arms. “If nothing else,” He said, kissing her on the neck. She giggled and stretched out in his hold. “I know I’m better than you at one thing.” His suggestive smile made her laugh as Proof retrieved the ball. As he turned around, Riley still in his arms he spotted someone walking around the edge of the house and up the paved path.
They all stopped, as they realized it was Kim approaching. Proof straightened from picking up the ball and seemed to back off, not knowing what was going on or why she was here. Marshall placed Riley back on her feet as Kim stormed up to them, looking absolutely furious. He stepped in front of Riley, having no idea what she would do, motioning her to stay back.
“I knew it from the start!” Kim yelled as she got within range. She stopped a few feet from the both of them and looked hurt as she clutched an envelope in her grip.
“Kim-” Marshall started.
“Shut up!” She snapped.
Riley stepped forwards but he held her back with his shoulder, “Hey!” Proof ran up to the scene, sensing the incredible tension. He grabbed Riley and held her back, gently, trying to calm her down.
Kim set her furious eyes on him, scowling with an absolute ferocity. “I can’t believe you two would pull a ridiculous stunt like this after all these years! If you were out to hurt me, you’ve fucking done it!”
Marshall motioned her to calm, as confusion overwhelmed him. He glanced back and neither Proof nor Riley seemed to have any clue as to what Kim was talking about. “What?”
“Don’t play dumb with me,” Kim spat. “I can’t believe you’d be this childish! Just because I fell for it as a kid, doesn’t mean I did as an adult!” She gave an angry laugh, “And just to make me jealous?! You’ll have to try harder than that piece of meat-” She motioned to Riley.
Reacting violently, Riley struggled against Proof, ready to do some serious damage to Kim. “How dare you?!”
“Relax, Riley!” Proof yelled over the top of the commotion.
Marshall couldn’t make any sense of what was going on. “What are you talking about, Kim?!”
Kim swallowed and threw the envelope at him, “Ask your girlfriend.” He caught the envelope and was surprised to find it to be a little heavy. Stunned, he watched Kim storm away as quickly as she’d arrived. Once she was out of sight, Proof released Riley who seemed to be as furious as Kim was.
“Who does she think she is? Storming in here and screaming at us like that?” Riley asked, kicking the pavement, angrily.
Marshall glanced down at the envelope and up at Riley. What had Kim meant? Just as curious, Riley watched intently as he tore open the envelope, revealing a stack of old photos. Frowning, he pulled out the first one and recognized a very young version of himself. He wasn’t older than fifteen. He was standing in Marusso Park in one of his old sweaters with his arm around who he thought was Kim until he realized…
Riley grabbed the photo and looked shocked, “This is… me.” She glanced up at Marshall, confusion in her eyes.
As if someone had hit him, memories slammed back into his consciousness in a rush. He began to remember that first year of high school, when he’d met a girl named Riley who had rescued him from the inside of a locker. They’d been really good friends. He remembered all the times they’d hang out together and listen to music. As he strained his memory further, he arrived at the horrifying conclusion to their youthful friendship… he’d used her to make Kim jealous… and then she moved to Miami after she found out.
As he snapped out of his trance, he noticed Riley had tears in her eyes. Stumbling he asked, “Do you remember, too?”
She nodded but the look of pure hurt and sadness on her face was undeniable. “You…” She stepped backwards, clutching the photo. “You played me… all those years ago.”
“Riley-”
“You broke my heart,” She shook her head, a tear escaping from her eyes and rolling down her cheek. As if his heart shattered into two, he realized the consequences of his youthful actions. At the time, he’d felt the same pain but he wasn’t forced to deal with Riley’s reaction. He’d… gotten Kim… what he wanted… and look how that had ended up. “All I wanted was to be with you.”
“Riley, that was years ago-”
“So it doesn’t matter?” She finished, throwing her arms out, demanding answer from him. But he knew better that to speak. She shook her head. “I can’t believe I forgot.” She dropped her arms, giving an angry sigh. “Has this been your plan from the beginning? Using me again to get back at your ex-wife? It seems to be a habit of yours.”
Marshall stepped forwards, feeling as if he was watching his whole world crash around him. “No! I didn’t remember until now! Just like you.” He took another step forwards and reached out to her. “Please, Riley-”
She recoiled, stepping backwards. “Get away from me.” She wiped her face and swallowed. “I can’t believe I moved here for you…” She continued to back away, headed for the road. Her voice sounded softer but still wounded as she spoke, “Proof… please take me home now.”
They’d carpooled to his house for the afternoon. Proof looked torn but Marshall nodded, knowing that Riley was going to need time to cool off. Proof offered him a supportive look but jogged after Riley who was storming off, just like Kim did.
Frustration welled up inside him as they disappeared. Unable to bear his own emotions he curled up his fists and launched one at the brick wall of his house. Pain flared through his knuckles and up his arm. Sighing, he retracted his first and let his knees buckle from the stress. Breathing heavily he was angry with himself for letting his recklessness catch up on him. He didn’t want to lose Riley. She was the best thing that had happened to him since he’d had Hailie. He loved her-
Opening his eyes, he realized what he just admitted to himself. He loved her. He… really loved her. And that’s when he knew, he had to fight for her.