Now on speaker, her voice sounds further away. “Okay, we won’t keep you. Paul, do you want to say anything?”
He clears his throat. “That was beautiful to watch. What a display.”
“Thanks, Dad.” I can’t lie, hearing him say that now, while I’m in the stillness of this private room, really able to absorb everything that just happened—I’m getting choked up.
“You have everything you need to be the best, Avery. This is just the beginning.”
My mom’s voice chimes back in. “Go do your press conference. We’re so excited for you.”
“Okay, thanks.”
“Love you.”
“Love you,” I say back.
When she hangs up, I take a beat to settle my emotions and swipe at the tears that begin to fall.
I did it.
I fucking did it.
Just one game, but I showed what I have.
Just one game, but I set my new standard.
27
RAWLEY
“Shhh, I want to hear her press conference.”
Landon nods. “Oh yeah, sorry.” He and Connor have been chatting away since the game ended.
We’ve just flipped to the Surge YouTube channel so we can listen. Okay, soIcan listen.
Connor shoots me a look. He can’t say anything in front of Landon, but I can guess at what he’s thinking.Dangerous territory.
It’s just a continuation of our conversation from earlier. He made me explain why Avery came home with me as soon as she left. So I told him about it all. The kiss, the bet.
“Rawls, I don’t think this is a good idea,” he warned after I gave him the update.
I sighed, and said, “Probably not. But I don’t want to stop.”
He just shook his head at that.
I flush that memory away for now while I listen to Avery speaking.
REPORTER: Avery, this performance today was quite a statement from you. How are you feeling?
AVERY: I’m a little emotional, not going to lie. I’ve been trying to be patient about finding my comfort zone here at the pro level, but it won’t surprise any of you to learn that patience is not my strong suit.
The reporters laugh.
REPORTER: There’s been a lot of chatter about you not starting yet. Would you expect to now?
AVERY: This is a team game. Coach Anker and the rest of the coaches decide what’s right for the team. Our record is now ten and four, so they know what they’re doing.
To my ear, that answer sounds more rote than her normal tone. But it doesn’t seem like the reporters pick that up.
