“So we’re supposed to sit here and watch quietly while the men beat the crap out of each other?” I ask, not expecting an answer.

Nice.

Well, I’m not in their club, so I don’t have to play by their stupid rules.

“You know, I actually don’t give a damn what they like or don’t like,” I say. “Did you not see that? That big guy tried to knock Sam’s teeth out. This isn’t basketball. This is freaking cage fighting without the cage.”

“The big guy is Sam’s best friend, Toby,’ Trish says. “I’m sure he didn’t mean to hit him in the mouth. He’s a Marine.”

Oh, like Marines are above playing dirty?

The elbow looked intentional to me.

Jesse’s team is still passing the ball around to each other. They’re all sweating heavily now and look like they’re all about to pass out from the heat. Jesse throws the ball to Danny and when he tries to take the shot, Sam slices his legs out from under him with a single swipe of his boot.

I laugh out loud and clap my hands. I guess Sam can play dirty after all. Good for him. I’m proud of him.

The thought pops into my head before I have time to censor it.

Oh great.

Now I’m proud of a criminal for playing dirty on a basketball court. The sun must be melting my brain cells.

The men are getting tired and overheated. One shot after another is blocked on both teams. I’m beginning to wonder if the game will ever end. Or if it will end with the men dropping like flies one after the other from heat exhaustion. Rocco goes out with a turned ankle, so Sam’s team is out of relief players.

Suddenly Flint makes a quick move and steals the ball. He throws it to Sam and they start working together smoothly, passing the ball back and forth, moving all over the court in perfect sync like they must have done a million times before in their life. Their movements are in perfect harmony, a choreographed ballet of muscles and tattoos.

Kendra reaches over and pats me on the leg.

“Look at our boys now,” she says, pointing to them. “Aren’t they something?”

I nod slowly. “Yes, they are.”

“I believe they’ve been holding back this whole time,” Kendra says. “Flint and Sam don’t even look winded. Those two don’t always get along but when they do, it’s like magic. They don’t need words to communicate. Watch them work it out there.”

As if I could tear my eyes away.

Sam fakes out Jesse and Toby, who are double-teaming him, and breaks away. Flint spots him open and passes him the ball. In one quick movement, Sam shoots and the ball swishes through the net.

It’s over.

Thank you, Jesus.