Page 21 of Bless This Hot Mess

“Driving to the hoop?” Rebekkah raised an eyebrow.

“That’s what Carrington said. I think it’s a basketball term.” Japheth shrugged.

“It sounds indecent,” Rebekkahmuttered.

“So does your proposal.”

Rebekkah waved a dismissive hand, “Japheth, our mission here is very clear. Emma-Lou, Carrington, and Suwarna explained if we want to be announced as the winners of the1999 WWJD Not Short on Talenttalent show, we need to get our hands on a third member. We need to be fresh. We need to grow an audience for WWJD. We need to…”

“Modernize. Multiply,” Japheth said, his voice tinged with awe as he watched Ronald soar toward the hoop. “Holy Mary, Mother of God, how are we supposed to manage this? Look at this guy! I haven’t even met him, and I can already tell that Ronald may be in a different league.”

Rebekkah smirked, “Neither of us play sports, Japheth. Of course, he’s in a different league.”

“I mean the cool factor, Rebekkah. Theje ne sais quoi. He’s gotit.”

“I won’t argue with you. Thereissomething about him,” Rebekkah agreed, her gaze traveling over Ronald’s toned physique. “That swagger, that dimple… the way his basketball shorts are… howdothey stay up when they’re halfway down his bum like that? What’s holding them up? Oh! My word. Is… so… are they tied on at the front then?”

Japheth glanced at her, then back at Ronald, “Rebekkah, I don’t know. I wish I did, but we’ll never find out if we just stand here and stare at him all day.”

The sound of the ball hitting the court grew louder as Ronald sprinted past them, sneakers squeaking against the asphalt before he leapt into the air. He hung there for what felt like an eternity, then the ball swished cleanly through the metal chain net, the jangle ringing out in the quiet.

“Did you see that?” Japheth whispered, wide-eyed. “He’s like 5’2” and he just flew!”

“I know, I saw! And his shorts stayed on!” Rebekkah exclaimed, still marvelling at the utility and functionality of Ronald’s wardrobe.

Before they could recover from their awe, Ronald’s voice broke through the quiet, not just speaking, but singing. And not just singing, he wassanging.

“Ooooooooooh yeeeeeahhhhh,” Ronald crooned, his voice smooth and rich like melted caramel. He took a casual shot, the ball swishing through the net again as if drawn by fate. “That’s what I’m talking about. Net!”

The squeak of the chain-link fence opening brought Japheth and Rebekkah back to reality as they stepped onto the court, drawn by Ronald’s siren-like voice. His presence was magnetic, each muscle in his legs and arms flexing with power and control. His skin glistened in the fading light, his sharp jawline and prominent cheekbones making him look like someone who should’ve been modelling for sports brands, not playing basketball alone in a forgotten park.

Rebekkah and Japheth exchanged a look. Ronald’s voice was unreal, like velvet dipped in charisma, and they found themselves drawn toward him as if under a spell. Rebekkah was the first to break the awkward silence, “Did you just… Cheese and crackers. You can…”

Japheth stepped forward, cutting her off, “You can sing!”

Ronald turned, eyebrow raised, his face breaking into a casual, easy smile that revealed a dimple deep enough to dive into. His dark, almond-shaped eyes flicked between them, scanning them with curiosity, “Who are you? What’s this about crackers?”

Japheth cleared his throat, “I’m Japheth, and this is my partner, Rebekkah.”

“I’m Ronald,” Ronald said simply, one brow still raisedquizzically as he reached out a hand. His grip was firm but not crushing, and warm, the kind of warmth that lingers long after the handshake is over.

“We know,” Japheth replied with a sheepish grin. “We’ve been watching you and waiting…”

“Not in a creepy way!” Rebekkah blurted out, raising her hands defensively. “Just like, with casual curiosity and admiration. Over there, by the fence.”

Ronald’s dimple deepened as his smile grew, “Okay…”

Japheth felt a bead of sweat slide down the side of his face from his hairline. “And we have some questions,” he said, his voice growing a little too eager and his visible sweating disconcerting.

Ronald laughed, his chuckle low and easy, but there was a flicker of suspicion in his eyes, “Getting weirder.”

Rebekkah jumped in before Japheth could fumble any further, “Should I go first? I’ll go first. So many questions.”

“One of you please tell me what’s happening,” Ronald said, tossing the basketball under his arm.

“I feel like my brain is exploding,” Rebekkah gushed. “I can’t believe how lucky we are. Japheth, can you believe this?!”

Japheth nodded enthusiastically, “Who would have known? Well, you knowWhowould have?”