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I still work out with him once a week to give Todd the day off.
We’ll have a new rookie next year. Plus trades happening over the summer.
Including Kyle, whose contract was up. Last I heard, he hadn’t yet resigned and instead got dragged to court for not paying child support.
Harlan and I talk when Nova and Mari hang out. Wouldn’t say we’re tight, but we understand each other. He’s mellower with a kid to distract him.
“I can’t believe you got us these tickets,” Brooke says to Nova.
“Rae sent them over as soon as I messaged to tell her we were planning to go.”
“Little Queen loves the champs!” Miles declares, flexing both arms.
Nova snorts. “We’re friends.”
My girl’s been creating all kinds of epic art lately, and she’s in demand from musicians, Hollywood, and more. I’m so fucking proud of her, but I knew she could do it the whole time.
We moved back in together this month, after the season died down, because I wanted to focus on us for a bit.
“Little Queen wouldn’t answer your DMs,” Brooke says.
“Bet accepted.” Miles pulls out his phone and starts typing, and Brooke laughs.
We find our seats and grab drinks before the show starts.
The vibe is incredible. A wild landscape, thousands of fans. It’s the best of both nature and humanity at once.
More than anything, I’m relaxed for the first time in forever. None of this would’ve happened if Nova hadn’t come into my life. Hadn’t helped me see what was real and the limitations I’d put on myself.
Midway through the show, Jay looks over and nods. I nod back.
“This what you wanted?” he asks.
“Yeah.”
I grab Nova’s hips and shift her in front of me, wrapping my arms around her as she sways to the music.
I’m so fucking grateful for her, every day.
I love waking up next to her, making her coffee in the morning, making her sweat at night.
Thanks to her, I know what it means to be about more than basketball. I’m not ready to retire, but when I am, I’ll face it with her at my side.
I’ve been looking at some houses and want one with a next-level art studio for her, plus plenty of room to display her finished work. I’ve found something near Harlan and Mari’s. Not so close we’ll trip over each other, but close enough she could bike or walk over to see Emily.
For the summer, I’m planning to enjoy my girl and the downtime and my friends. I’ll give her everything, and we’ll do it all together.
Next year, my Kodiaks will try to run it back and win again.
We’ll be defending champs this time. The bull’s-eye is on our backs, and everyone—including LA and Boston—will be gunning to take us down.
As the show wraps after a couple encores and we head out, I hear noises in the dark beyond the parking lot. Howls, rustling.
Rookie jumps. “The fuck is that?”
“You scared?” Miles teases. “Maybe your purple-dino car will save you.”
I scan our friends before my gaze lands on Nova. Her expression softens with shared understanding.
