Page 103 of Over Time Advantage

On the brighter side, this is the first time I’ve seen Harper up close. She’s such a social, happy kid. She’s been bouncing around to all of Tanner’s clients but seems to love Daylen the most. I know he’s a longtime client of Tanner’s, but I didn’t realize they were close enough for Daylen to have a relationship with his kid.

Pierce would never have been able to chat with adults at Harper’s age the way she is. Hell, he can’t even do that now. She’s well-adjusted and so…normal. That’s what happens when you have good parents.

I’m brought back to the game. The Beavers seem to have gotten their act together in the second half. One of the girls on the other team is being very handsy with Sulley. Sulley never pays any attention when girls in the league push her around. She’s cool as a cucumber, always turning away from escalating things. My kid, on the other hand, is just the opposite. She’s become Sulley’s protector on the court. She and that New York player have been trading hard elbows all night.

The player has the ball with a clear lane to the basket. Sulley does what you’re supposed to do in that situation. She wraps her arms around her for a hard foul, ensuring she won’t get the easy layup.

After the ref blows the whistle indicating the foul, the player goes absolutely berserk. She’s got her face in Sulley’s and is screaming at her like a lunatic.

Per normal, Sulley doesn’t engage. She turns her back and walks away.

In an act of lunacy, the player begins charging at Sulley like she’s going to tackle her or hit her. There’s a collective gasp in the crowd.

Sulley has no idea it’s coming. She’s about to get coldcocked. I can hear Vance suck in a breath next to me.

Just as she reaches Sulley, from out of nowhere, Kennedy intervenes and punches the player right in the nose. She goes down hard, with blood spurting from her face as she screams in agony.

The entire other team starts charging at Kennedy. Fuck this. I’m not going to let them hurt her. I run out onto the court. For some unknown reason, Daylen is right next to me as we both rush to Kennedy to protect her from the onslaught.

He and I cover Kennedy from both sides, ensuring no one touches her. Obviously we’re not going to hurt anyone. We’re just shielding her from the other team.

The New York players are all yelling obscenities at my daughter. The fans are booing. It’s madness. It takes the referees at least ten minutes to separate everyone and calm them down.

As if just realizing the severity of what’s gone on, Kennedy begins bawling. Bawling in a way I’ve never seen from my daughter. I think she’s in shock over what she just did.

She’s completely hysterical. I stand there a bit dumbfounded, not knowing what to do.

Before I can consider doing anything, Fallon bursts onto the scene and has her arms wrapped protectively around my daughter. Kennedy practically collapses into Fallon’s embrace like it’s exactly what she needs.

I’ve never once seen my daughter like this, even as a little girl. She’s always been so tough. She prides herself on not needing anyone. But right now, she needs support, and Fallon is the one giving it to her.

The refs indicate that Kennedy is being ejected from the game, not a surprise after likely breaking another player’s nose. Fallon holds her close and whispers something into her ear, which seems to calm her.

Without another word, Fallon escorts her off the court and toward the locker room. I’m full of emotion as I watch on until they disappear.

Fallon never returned to the game. I’ve been calling and texting both her and Kennedy, but neither has answered. I’m going out of my mind with worry.

The game ends, and the stadium begins to clear out, but Daylen and Vance stick around right next to me. “What are you two still doing here?” I ask.

Daylen shrugs. “We want to make sure she’s okay.” He rubs my back. “And you too, Coach,” he offers with obvious concern for me.

I nod with a lump in my throat, feeling a bit emotional that they’re here for me. We’ve spent a decade together. While Daylen’s antics sometimes drive me nuts, he’ll always have a special place in my heart, along with Vance. I’ve never coached a day without these two, and I hope I never will.

At some point, Fallon walks out. Her white suit is covered in what appears to be both blood and makeup. It looks ruined.

She approaches us. I try to get a read on her. She seems calm.

Our eyes meet. “She’s okay. She went home. She turned her phone off and doesn’t want to talk to anyone until the morning. I have a meeting now with Reagan and Lakshmi. The league will probably hand down some sort of suspension. We’re going to fight to keep it to a minimum, but Kennedy knows a punishment is coming her way. We’re going to bounce around a few ideas on how to best manage this.”

I look at Daylen and Vance. “Thanks for sticking around, boys. I appreciate the support. You guys should head home.”

They both hug me before they say their goodbyes and leave. Once they’re out of earshot, I ask, “Is she really okay?”

She exhales a long breath. “She was extremely emotional. I’ve never seen her like that. She’s afraid she’ll be cut from the team. That’s obviously not going to happen, but she’s freaked out about it. Apparently Reagan told her she was on a short leash when she brought her here. Kennedy wants to unplug tonight and deal with the ramifications of her actions in the morning after she’s had the chance to clear her head. It’s not a terrible idea.”

“How bad do you think this will be?”

She shrugs. “I haven’t been around long enough to know. I do know Reagan is ready for battle. She’s got fifteen lawyers on standby right now. She’s going to do everything in her power to protect Kennedy.”