Chapter Thirty-Eight: Liar Liar Pants On Fire

"Yes?" I probed impatiently, tapping my Asics covered foot for ambiance. He cocked an eyebrow at me and smiled. "May I come in?" he asked in a low voice.

"No. Only first team netball girls, our coach and the physiotherapist are allowed in here. And you're none of those, so no, you may not come in." I answered sassily and watched as his blue eyes darkened. How is that even possible?

"If you're all decent and ready to go out there, then I am coming in. Step aside Ms Wyatt." He ordered and I challenged him with a cocked eyebrow of my own. I could tell he was irritated, but I have taken a liking into having a kick at him.

"This is not the time, or the place for that." I wasn't sure what he meant by that, but I stepped aside to let him in. The girls immediately stopped talking when they noticed we had a male in the locker room, much less this one. I was sure Tebogo was about to fall on her face with lust, and Gloria looked about ready to drown in her own drool. Coach Viljoen was much more subtle, but she was drooling too. Annoyance flashed through me, along with a wave of possessiveness. If he noticed the change in atmosphere in the room when he stepped in, he didn't show it. He was as composed as ever.

"Afternoon ladies." He greeted with a smile and they swooned. I, in turn, rolled my eyes, gritting my teeth. What's wrong with you? It's just Jackass.

"Afternoon sir." They chanted; eyes glued on him. Seriously? "I just came here to wish you luck on your debut match in the Super16. There is no doubt that you are the best team in the province, and now it is time to show that you can be the best team in the country. Remember to keep it clean and respectful. Hold our name up high. And most importantly, when your feet get tired, play with your heart." He finished off his cute little speech with a smile as the girls clapped. That moved me, I'll admit.

"Captains. Azania, Tebogo, I hope to see you lead by example out there on the courts. Alright ladies knock em dead!" the girls cheered once more as he spun on his heel and proceeded to leave the room. He sent me a wink before closing the door behind him. I tried my utmost not to blush, but I was failing miserably. The voice of the announcer rang through the arena as I heard him call out our opponents by name and according to positions. I started jumping in one place, trying to shake off my nerves. When I heard him announce Kylie, the captain of RGA, I turned to my girls with my game face on and shouted, "Our lunch has just served. Bon appetit bitches!" I shouted and they shouted back. The announcer started calling out our names, starting with the reserves, and then our goalkeeper Melinda. I'm captain so I was going to head out last. Coach pinched my cheeks like she does before every game and wished me luck, and then I was the only one left in the room. The Azania song was booming in the arena again as the announcer prepared the crowd for my arrival, as always, when the door to the locker room opened. Jackass crept in, and I mean crept like a thief in the night, sporting his crooked smile. I froze, looking at him in awe. What is he doing here? He stood with his back pressed against the door, his blue eyes shining. He didn't move either. In the background, the arena was shaking with the Azania song, the band joining them.

"I just wanted to wish you luck." His teeth dug into his bottom lip, a gesture that distracts me with a deep pull in my groin area. I opened my mouth to speak and closed it again when nothing came out. He walked towards me, grabbing my hand once he reached me.

"Ladies and gentlemen, your captain, Azania Wyatt!" the announcer said into the microphone, but I didn't move an inch. The tingles from where he was touching me spread from my fingers to my shoulder.

"Don't sweat over it. Get out there and do your thing." He murmured softly, turned around and pushed me out of the door. The sound of hundreds of people screaming snapped me out of my trance and I jogged out of the tunnel and onto the court, clapping my hands high above my head singing along to the Azania song. Soon enough, the odd moment that took place a few moments ago was pushed to the back of my head as the whistle went off, starting the game. I didn't think about Kevin and his absence as I caught the ball and got my team on the scoreboard.

"I can't believe you won!" Justin said in utter disbelief as we climbed into his car. "Honestly, neither can I. That was a tough match." Ayanda echoed as she buckled her seatbelt, turning slightly to look at me. I nodded my head in agreement. "But you mntase? You were on fire. It's no wonder you got player of the match. I would have staged a riot if you didn't."

I blew her a kiss and thanked her, asking Justin to drive to McDonalds for some ice cream. "I just feel like this is an errand designed to be carried out by your boyfriend, not his brother." My good mood disappeared like cotton candy in water and I gazed out the window as we pulled out of the school yard, watching the people talk excitedly amongst themselves as they walked to their transports. Justin sighed in the front seat and caught my eye in his rear-view mirror.

"I'm sure something came up, Azania." There was nothing Justin could say to me that would make me believe Kevin didn't ditch. His attempts to make me feel better were just making me feel worse. "I can't believe he didn't show up." I muttered sadly. My friends seemed to have run out of excuses for him because no one said a word. Ayanda and Justin bickered the whole way to McDonalds, choosing to let me brood in silence.

"A McFlurry will cheer you up." Ayanda squeaked excitedly and I smiled. She was right, it always did! It was surprisingly empty when we got to McDonalds. This was shocking to me seeing as how it was the end of the month. I was currently in light washed ¾ jeans with a purple team vest, my WBA team jacket and white chucks. The game was pretty tough, but we managed to beat Ridgeway Girls Academy by a 2-goal margin. Kylie had asked me where her brother was after the game as we shared a hug and she was pretty pissed off when I told her he hadn't come. Kevin's absence was starting to piss me off as well, and I took out my anger in a McFlurry with fries. Justin and Ayanda tried to take my mind off things, and in that moment, I appreciated their friendship more than anything. My phone rang as Justin was trying to chat up some bird that had walked in. Jackass flashed on my screen and I stood up to answer the call.

"This is Azania." I said in a clipped voice.

"Really? I thought I was calling Beyoncé." came the mocking voice of my principal. "Did you call to taunt me, or was there something you needed?"

"Yeah, I needed to ask if you were busy?" he sounded like he was in a good mood. I wondered if that had anything to do with his recent visit to see Gia. I was curious to know how it went.

"It depends."

"On what?"

"What you had in mind?"

"Well, I was thinking we polish your race car driver training. And maybe have dinner?" why did that sound like a date? Don't be ridiculous. He's an adult, you're still a child. Since the last time Jackass took me driving, we hung out every weekend and twice during the week. We spent most of our time at the abandoned racetrack where I basically perfected my driving, and I would be lying if I said I didn't enjoy every second of it.

"Well? You up for it?" he prompted, making me realize I still hadn't answered him. "Sure. Just hang on for a sec." I said into the receiver and walked towards our table, where Justin and the blonde bird were still chatting, with Ayanda munching on her salad next to them. Who eats a salad at McDonalds?

"I'm going to head out." I informed the pair, who looked at me like I had grown a second head. "But you haven't finished your McFlurry yet." Ayanda cried out, confused.

"It's in a container you dumbass, I'm taking it with me."

"Where are you going?" Justin asked before Ayanda could snap at me.

"Oh, uhm I just need to lie down. I'm not feeling all too well." I lied. Ayanda started to gather her things, stating that she was coming with me. My answer was frantic, making my friends raise their eyebrows to me in question.

"I love you very much, but I kinda just want to be alone. Justin, you get my bitch home safely." I bent down to give her a kiss on the cheek as she asked me if I was sure, and hesitantly wrapped her toned arms around my neck. I told them I was taking an uber and it was already outside, waved goodbye and bolted out of the fast food restaurant, ignoring their protests. I pressed the phone to my ear and was startled to find that Jackass was laughing.

"You're the worst liar ever." I could hear the smile in his voice, and oddly enough, it made me smile. I told him where I was and to come get me, he said he'd be there in 5 minutes. I could hear him before I saw him, the prominent sound of his deep exhaust littering the early evening air. I looked at my watch and noticed that he literally made it in 5 minutes. The race car driver in him will never die.