to Shen, who swore up and down he wouldn’t say a word, but I was on top of the china cabinet again.”
“What is it with you and that china cabinet?”
“I don’t know, but I am so comfortable up there.” He watched her for a moment, then asked, “Want me to back you up?”
“No. I want you to protect Stevie.”
“She’s got a giant panda to protect her.”
“And he loves her. He’ll make stupid mistakes because of that. You won’t.”
“You worried about your crazy cousin?”
“Yes. We want to lure her out or track her down or something—”
“Bring the fight to her.”
“Something like that, but we don’t know how yet. Until we get her, though, anyone close to me is in danger because that bitch is nuts.”
“Am I close to you?”
“Yeah, but you can take care of yourself. Also . . . you can take out my cousin without taking out the entire neighborhood. I can’t count on that with Stevie.”
“Because she’s a genius and might blow up the place?”
Max gazed at him for several long seconds before replying, “Sure. Let’s go with that.”
“You know, based on your tone, I feel like there’s something about your baby sister you’re not telling me. Is there?”
“No.” She started toward the door.
“Are you lying to me?”
“Probably.”
“You going to wash those in the sink?”
“Ew No. I’m putting them in the washing machine.”
“Don’t most women hand-wash their underwear?”
“I’m not one of those. I don’t buy underwear that can’t handle the delicate cycle on a washing machine. Who has time for that shit?”
“Many women. Some of whom I’ve known.”
“Good for them. They can have their delicate lacy things. I like my shit cotton and sturdy.”
“There’s something you should know,” he called after her just as she’d stepped out the door.
“God,” she whined. She walked back into the room. “What else did Stevie say?”
“A lot of things but nothing you have to worry about.”
“Then what?”
“After last night, you and me . . . I got it bad for you.”
“Bad for me? What does that mean?”
“That I could possibly, kind of, with the right incentive . . . fall in love with you. Maybe. Possibly. It feels a little soon but for some unknown reason that feels right. I’m just not sure, but I thought I’d warn you. I also may change my mind. So you should stay on your toes.”
Max sat down next to him on the bed before asking, “Could you be more cat?”
“I think, with very little effort, the answer to that is yes. Besides,” he added, “I need to hear that you love me first before I can even begin to commit to the effort it would take on my part.”
She gave a sound of disgust and walked out again.
“I’ll take that to mean that you’re madly in love with me!” he called after her.
“Don’t.”
The feral cat that lurked around Max’s house came out from under the bed and climbed her way up Zé’s leg. When she’d curled into his lap and, eventually, rolled onto her back so he could rub her stomach, he told her, “She’s definitely madly in love with me.”
* * *
Max came down the stairs and went out of her way not to think about what Zé had said to her. She didn’t have time. She had to wash her underwear, get her team bag together, take a nice long nap, and then get into the city so she didn’t miss the pregame bus. The rest of her team had already left. It was one thing if they were all late, but it was something else entirely if Max fucked up on her own. It would be easier for Coach to suspend her from the game and she didn’t want that.
She walked into the kitchen and stopped at the entryway. It seemed Stevie had lent Charlie a fan shirt, but Max’s big sister did not seem comfortable.
“Do you have anything in a size other than extra small?” Charlie asked.
“Your tits look like they’re having a fight under there.”
“They are having a fight. And I fear a tragic outcome.” Charlie looked at Max. “Do you have a bigger shirt? I want to support you at this thing.”
“Forget the T-shirt!” she suddenly exploded. “We have a problem.”
“God, what now?” Charlie began to roll her neck, already stressed. “Is this about the Malones’ sister? That poor girl.”
“Fuck the deaf girl!”
“Whoa!” Stevie raised and lowered her hands. “Let’s just calm down . . . in fact . . . this”—she continued to raise and lower her hands—“is