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“Harlan doesn’t want to talk about me getting my job back, but I can’t sit on the sidelines forever. He likes you.”
I chuckle. “Not sure that’s true.”
“Respects you, then. You could put in a good word,” he says hopefully.
“When I get back. I’m going to Aruba for a couple days over all-star break. Don’t worry, Coach. I’ll do my exercises.”
“Huh. That sounds nice.”
“I’d invite you, but I already got a plus-one.”
He throws a towel at my head.
I’m looking forward to getting away with Nova. Yeah, it sucks to be passed over, but this is a damned good second option.
Plus, I want to show her I can handle the ups and downs of the season without going off.
Because as much as I’ve tried to resist it, there is a life outside basketball.
When we finish up at the gym, Coach and I head outside, and I steady him as he shifts into my car.
“What’ve you not done in this league?” I prompt. “Been coaching twenty years.”
“Twenty-three.”
“Twenty-three,” I amend.
He glares at me from across the car. “You know damn well what I haven’t done.”
A championship.
“All the work. The late nights and early mornings and days and weeks and months on planes… you do it to win,” he says wistfully.
I shrug. “You got to finals. A ring’s not all that.”
“Easy for you to say—you’ve got one.”
As I pull out of the parking lot, an idea strikes me. I promised I’d take him to his favorite fast-food place after training. Once he’s established at a table with his burger and fries, I pull out my phone and make a call.
“Yeah, I need it today. This afternoon.” I listen, one eye on Coach devouring his burger. “I know.”
More words stream through the phone.
“I’d appreciate that. Thanks.”
After eating lunch, I take him to a park. He’s spent months indoors, and if I’m honest, I prefer to see him in the fresh air instead of in a hospital room or a gym for rehab.
We’re both bundled up in jackets, and people are skating outside on a public rink. We claim a bench nearby, watching.
“What time’s practice?” he prompts.
“We’re off today.”
He makes a disgruntled sound, as if the idea of rest is beneath him. But when he speaks again, I wonder if he’s thinking of something else entirely.
“You know why I’m here?”
“Because Todd wouldn’t take you to the park.”
