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The ones I’m afraid of.
My gaze falls on Rookie’s backpack, a torn bag from high school he insists on carrying around even now.
“I get that this series isn’t what we wanted,” I say, and the guys look up. “But it’s a playoff series. Tell me every moment in your life, as a kid, you weren’t wishing for this.” I pace the room, rubbing my hands together. The tattoos on my skin twine into one another.
Jay tugs off his headphones, listening.
I pause in front of Miles. “You didn’t think it’d come easy, did you?”
“This supposed to be motivating?” Rookie demands, slumping back against his locker.
I go to him next, stopping between his spread feet. “Where would you rather be? I mean it. Tell me where you’d rather be.”
He closes his eyes. “I’d rather have won the championship.”
“I get that you’re tired. That you’ve already worked harder this year than you ever worked. It’s not over.”
Next up is Atlas.
“I’m not telling you that because I think I’m better. I’m telling you because…” I huff out a breath and rub both hands over my face. “Because I’ve been to the other side of the mountain… and there was nothing there.”
I have their attention now.
“Two years ago, I would’ve told you all I wanted was the ring. I wanted to be MJ. To be Kobe. To live forever. Well, glory is cheap. Hearing your name on the wind rings hollow after a while, especially when you realize you don’t even know the people saying it.” I cross to Jay. “What matters is what you do. Every day. Who you do it with.”
I hold out a hand.
Jay stares at it, then takes it.
“Let’s make it fucking happen,” he grunts.
I pull him up. He puts his hand in and motions the other guys over. One by one, they appear.
“Kodiaks on three. One, two, three, KODIAKS!”
The low holler goes up.
“Not fucking good enough,” Miles bellows.
“KODIAKS!!!”
This time, it’s loud enough to vibrate through the room.
My chest expands, adrenaline pumping through my veins.
We’re already doing something great. I appreciate every time I get to set foot on the court with these guys. But if every guy in here pulls his weight, scrapes the bottom of his ability and effort… we have a chance at something unprecedented.
The guys are dialed in, and I am too. I will push aside every doubt in my head for this team.
Even if a piece of my heart is missing.
Security appears in the doorway and nods to me. “Someone’s here to see you.”
What the…? I cross to him and peer out into the hallway.
Pink hair. Bright eyes. Full lips.
Nova fills my vision like a mirage, wearing my jersey and a denim skirt, her hair down in waves around her shoulders.
