Last Shot

Kelsey made up her mind - it's now or never. Hopefully, handsome Brad agrees it needs to be now. Find out if these two neighbors score romance in this sweet story by Katie Fitzgerald

On Sunday afternoon, as she read a cozy mystery and sipped iced tea, Kelsey heard the dull thud of a basketball on asphalt and sprang from the couch. Brad was back from off-the-grid camping with his brother, and she was ready to pick up where they had left off. She abandoned her paperback facedown on the couch, and as quickly as she could get her feet into sneakers and her arms into a jacket, she reached for the doorknob. Trying to act casual, she descended the steps and crossed the leaf-dotted road to Brad’s driveway.

“Welcome back,” she said. He caught a rebound and tossed the ball into the basket again.

“How was the great outdoors?”

When he turned to look at her, butterflies stirred in her chest. His graying hair was longer than usual, and he had a good tan as well as an appealing sprinkling of stubble. His navy sweatshirt brought out the bright blue of his eyes, and his warm smile made Kelsey grin, too.

“It was a good time,” Brad said. “But it’s nice to be back.” He tossed her the ball, and she dribbled a few times.

Shooting hoops together had been their summer evening routine. It had started as neighborly fun, but to Kelsey it had felt like more. She’d tried to tell him, but there was always an interruption: package delivery, loose dog, lost driver and, one unfortunate time, a ball to Brad’s nose, which, thankfully, was bruised but not broken. Now the slight chill in the air made it clear summer was winding down. Soon it would be dark by dinnertime, and she wouldn’t see Brad as much. This could be her last shot.

She dribbled the ball again, then went in for a basket. Thunk! The ball hit the rim and came straight back to her. Hopefully that wasn’t an omen.

“Guess I’m a little rusty.” She caught the ball and bounced it over to Brad.

“You could have used the hoop while I was gone.” Brad dribbled, then took a shot from the foot of the driveway. Swish! It came through the basket. Kelsey caught the rebound.

“It wouldn’t have been the same.” She tossed the ball toward the basket, and again it bounced back at her. She was too distracted to make baskets. She took a deep breath. Time to put it all on the line. “Actually, I’ve been wanting –”

A blue pick-up truck roared around the corner blaring country music and slowed in front of Brad’s house. No! Not another interruption! What were the odds?

Brad glanced at the truck and nodded to the driver. “That’s my brother, Kevin. I hope he found my shaving kit.” He rubbed at his chin. “I’m getting scruffy.”

Kelsey almost hoped the shaving kit had been eaten by a bear if it meant he would keep the beard. It suited him.

The window of the pick-up rolled down, and Kelsey and Brad both turned to face it. Suddenly, Kelsey couldn’t take it anymore. Before Brad could take a step, she moved between him and the truck, holding up a hand.

“Wait a second. I have to say something.” Taking a deep breath, she looked up at Brad. “I really like shooting hoops with you, and I think we should go on a date.”

There was a split-second of silence, and Kelsey felt the threat of rejection looming over her. Then Kevin burst into hearty laughter. Kelsey gave Brad a mortified glance, and found that his ears were burning bright red.

“This is Kelsey, right?” Kevin said. “And you’re not sure if she likes you?” He shook his head. “I think you can be sure now, man.”

Kelsey almost didn’t believe what she was hearing. Brad had thought of her while he was away. Brad had told his brother about her. Brad was smiling at her bashfully, and it was extremely attractive.

“All right, Kev, that’s enough,” Brad chided, but his words were buoyed by laughter.

Kevin put his hand out the window and tossed Brad a small leather case which Kelsey took to be the lost shaving kit. “You two enjoy yourselves.” He winked and drove away.

Brad watched the truck round the corner, then he turned back to Kelsey. “Sorry about him.” He exhaled slowly. “But about that date. I’m in, definitely. How’s tonight?”

Kelsey had planned to finish her murder mystery, but those clues and red herrings would have to wait. This was so much better.

“Tonight is perfect,” said Kelsey, and then, fueled by a sudden burst of giddy adrenalin, she dribbled the basketball again and closed in on the hoop. She didn’t need to watch to know the outcome of her shot. After so many misses, this one was nothing but net.