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I kiss him again because I have to.
But I’m not at all sure I’m doing the right thing.
FIRST ROUND
PHOENIX
27
CLAY
“Shit,” Rookie mutters as he bends over his shoe in the locker room.
I look over. “What’s wrong?”
“I forgot my good luck charm. It was attached to my laces. It must have fallen off.”
The playoffs are a big deal. The energy is different on the court and in the buildings.
Our first game has all the guys on edge.
Still, there’s a temptation to treat the road to finals like a sprint instead of the marathon it is.
There are three rounds against other western teams, each time facing a stronger opponent. If we win the west, we go to finals against the top team in the east.
“Take a breath,” I advise. “It’s going to be a long forty-eight minutes if you don’t.”
“Or a quick one. You won’t make it a shift,” Kyle comments from the next locker over.
Rookie shakes his head. “Not like I practiced my entire life for this,” he mutters.
“We don’t need luck. We bled and sweated for this,” Jay says, crossing to the center of the room from his locker opposite.
He puts his hands in the center, and I go to meet him.
“Let’s get a win.”
We take the floor to deafening cheers. The crowd is out in force, hollering from the time the players are announced. Chloe had shirts made up for the occasion, and those in the stands without jerseys are wearing purple #BEARFORCE playoffs shirts. The guys can tell it’s a different vibe from usual.
“We’re not in Kansas anymore, princess,” Kyle says as he passes Rookie, grinning.
At least we have the home team advantage. Phoenix, whom we narrowly beat out for our seeding spot, is playing on our turf.
Phoenix gets the tipoff while I watch, leaning into the court every single play.
Still not thrilled I’m coming off the bench, but I’ll get mine later.
Normally, I’d press my recovery hard and fast. But with Coach’s advice and Nova’s presence calming me down, I took it a little slower than usual.
Phoenix can’t beat us with their offense. Our three-point shooting is better, thanks to Miles and Jay. But Phoenix guards hard, screens hard, plus they’ve got a couple of good shot-blockers to keep Atlas and Kyle at bay.
It’s almost the end of the first quarter when I get in. They’re on me in a second, cutting off my lanes, making me pass.
I still manage to outwit their guards for three baskets in as many minutes.
The crowd erupts. It feels right being out here. The adrenaline drowns out any doubt, any questions.
By the second quarter, they’re onto me and my improvisations.
