“All right, thanks.”
“Just to prepare you, the announcer in the arena will likely do something to acknowledge your presence.”
“That’s okay,” Connor says. “He knows all eyes will be on him.”
Kayla gives a small look of apology.
“It’ll be fine, no worries.”
“Okay, let’s get you to your seats.”
We head down the hallway, following Kayla, and after a few turns emerge onto the side of the court opposite the benches.
As she leads us to our spots, the buzz of the crowd elevates, and I can feel the number of eyes on me accumulate with each passing second. Among all the chatter, I can make out phrases like “he’s wearing her jersey.”
Once we’re at our seats, Connor settles in, but I stay standing as Kayla departs. Turning back to the row of people behind us, Igive a wave and wear a large grin, trying to connect with as many sections as I can.
A burst of cheers comes as the crowd sees my gesture, and phones, as well as a couple of the large station cameras, are trained on me. Once the cheering wanes, I take my seat next to Connor.
“Mission accomplished?”
“The first one anyway.”
The Surge aren’t on the court yet, and so the thumping of club music is the main competition to the chatter of the crowd.
I’ve watched plenty of NCAA and pro level women’s games on TV during their respective playoffs. But I’ve never been to one, which is shitty, I realize now.
The size of the crowd isn’t much different than an NBA game, and the energy is lit up just the same. The stands are a sea of purple Surge T-shirts.
Within a minute, the opposing team runs out onto the floor and starts their warmups, giving me a chance to appreciate their skills.
“God, I love basketball, Con. Who knows what would have happened if I had the skills. Not that I don’t love football too.”
“Yeah, you had to settle for being a pro wide receiver making millions,” he jokes.
“Maybe if I had that extra inch you got instead.” He’s six feet six inches, the tallest of us Battles.
“Which inch are you talking about?”
I shoot him a look and ruffle his hair, which I know annoys him.
He ducks his head out of the way. “Sorry, that was in poor taste, but you left it open for me.”
“Yeah, yeah.”
An attendant in a Surge uniform comes up to us shortly afterward. “Hi, I’m Stewart. Do you gentlemen want something to drink? Beer? Water?”
Connor’s not twenty-one, and while he would probably get served without his ID being checked, the last thing either of us needs is for him to get caught drinking illegally with me.
“Just water for us both, thanks.”
Stewart brings us water bottles and then leaves us alone. Within a minute, I start fidgeting with the wrapper.
“You nervous?” Connor’s voice is softer than it’s been so far today. “You keeping those feelings in check?”
“Yeah, I mean, I haven’t seen Avery in a week. There’s no emotions involved, and I’m going to make sure it stays that way. I just wish the Surge would come out here so we could be distracted watching them.”
“Understandable.” He scans the crowd as he sips his water. “What’s your OTA schedule the rest of May? We can make plans for what to do while I’m here.”
