“Yes!” Zac raised his arms in victory after he shot the basketball over Taylor’s head into
the basket. Taylor retrieved the ball and leisurely bounced it around the concrete of their
driveway. “So what is it now?” Zac asked. “24 to 18?”
“24 to 20 - you,” Taylor corrected. “But not for long,” he said and quickly zipped
past Zac in a lame attempt at a slam dunk but still made two points.
“Oh that was weak,” Zac laughed catching up with the ball. “I gave you that.”
“Alright 24 - 22. Your ball,” Taylor said bending his knees in front of Zac.
Zac dribbled the ball a few times shifting his weight between his feet. Before he
was about to shoot Taylor went up behind him and stole the ball then proceeded to shoot
the tieing basket.
“Sweet,” Taylor called out sweeping the sweaty blonde tresses off his face.
“Whoa there,” Zac stopped as he went to retreive the basketball that was quickly
rolling down the driveway. He saw Ruby walking barefoot down her driveway towards
the mailbox wearing the same cut off shorts from the day before and a red tank top. She
bent down at the end of the driveway to pick up the ball.
“Hey there,” Zac laughed meeting her halfway in the middle of the quiet street
between their houses.
“Howdy,” she replied smiling.
Taylor watched from top of the driveway resting his hands on his hips.
“God, everytime you see me I look like hell,” Zac said looking down at his sweaty bare chest and red Umbros.
Ruby laughed and looked up at his handsome face. “No you don’t,” she replied
handing him the basketball.
“Hey,” Taylor called. “You gonna get back up here so I can finish kicking your
ass?”
Zac laughed and looked behind him. “You wanna come meet my brother?” He
asked.
“Sure,” she smiled and followed him up the driveway.
“Tay, this is Ruby. Ruby this is my brother Taylor,” Zac introduced the two.
“Older brother Taylor,” Taylor added reaching out to shake her hand.
“Nice to meet you,” Ruby smiled returning the handshake. Taylor was about the
same height as Zac. He had the same color blonde hair cut much shorter in purposely
messy layers around his face that was splashed with shades of pink. He had clear blue
eyes and perfectly shaped eyebrows. He stood shirtless with his brother and was skinnier
than Zac but looked fine in the black Umbros he wore.
“Ruby huh?” Taylor raised his eyebrows at Zac.
Zac cleared his throat before Taylor said something embarassing. “Um, yeah. So
what are you up to?”
“Just checking the mail. Not much. What about you?” Ruby asked.
“Playing a little basketball. You wanna play?” Zac offered.
“No that’s okay,” Ruby watched as Taylor practiced his freethrow. “Maybe
another time.”
“Well do you wanna come over later? Like, after I’ve showered and stuff?” Zac
smiled.
“Yeah. That’s cool,” she said nervously playing with the bottom of her shorts.
“Okay,” Zac nodded rubbing his hand up and down his tanned stomach. “Or we
could go out if you don’t have dinner plans.”
Ruby smiled at his adorable face. “That sounds good. But go ahead and finish
your game.”
“Alright. I’ll give you a call.”
“Cool. See ya,” she said backing up. “Nice meeting you, Taylor,” she called out
and waved.
“You too. See ya later, Ruby,” Taylor replied.
She jogged down the driveway stopping at her mailbox before heading inside her
house.
“Daaaamn,” Taylor said resting his arm on Zac’s shoulder watching Ruby cross the
street. “You little bastard.”
Zac grinned and stole the ball from his brother shooting the last two points. “26 -
I win.”
“Yeah, yeah,” the defeated Taylor said retreiving the ball. “Rematch tomorrow.”
They headed inside and Zac made his way to the shower upstairs.
**********************************************************
“Wow,” Ruby smiled stepping inside to let Zac inside her house. “You clean up
nice.” Zac was dressed in a pair of khaki shorts and a yellow Polo shirt with just the front
tucked in showing his brown leather belt. His hair was pulled back and he had on a nice
pair of running shoes.
“Thanks,” Zac smiled and came inside the house twirling his keys around his index
finger. “So do you.” Ruby had on a blue and white tie-dyed skirt that came just below
her knees and a white spaghetti strap tank top with baby blue flip flops. Her dark hair was
piled on top of her head in a messy bun with chop sticks stuck through it.
“Thank you sir,” she said walking to the sink to fill up the cat’s bowl with water.
“Mom,” she called out. “Zac’s here. We’re leaving now.”
“Alright,” her mom came into the kitchen. “Hi, Zac. How are you?”
“Good,” Zac nodded. “And yourself?” he asked politely.
“I’m fine,” her mom smiled. “You two have fun.”
“What time do you have to be home?” Zac asked Ruby.
“I don’t have a curfew,” Ruby whispered looking up at Zac.
“Oh yeah,” Zac smiled.
“What can I do?” Her mom asked. “She’s in college. I’m not allowed to give her
a curfew anymore,” she smiled.
“Well we won’t be late,” Zac assured.
“Bye mom,” Ruby said leading Zac out the door.
“Bye Ms. Griffin,” Zac added.
“Bye you guys,” she waved.
“I like your car,” Ruby said as Zac went around to open the passenger side door
for her. “Why thank you,” she added stepping inside the champagne colored ‘94 Toyota
4-Runner.
“Thanks,” Zac said before walking around to his side and climbing in.
“I mean, I’m not like, a car girl. But I like yours.”
Zac smiled and put the key in the ignition.
************************************************************************
Chapter 9
