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Ike Jr. looked at Julian, who’d arrived from the East Coast just hours ago. “Said to the man who taught all of y’all how to play the game.” To make his point, he faked left, moved right and scored an easy layup.
“Come on, man,” Niko admonished Terrell, his two-on-two teammate. “Stop jaw-jacking and play ball.” He caught the ball from Ike Jr. and passed it on.
Terrell took the ball and started bouncing it. “Don’t worry, bro. We don’t intend to let you lose nothing tonight.”
All heads turned as Terrell’s twin, Teresa, came rushing around the back of Niko’s house, where the basketball court was located. “Niko! Are you crazy? Why are you standing there in sweaty shorts instead of a suit?”
Niko stopped. “What time is it?”
“Time for you to get a clue! Don’t you know you’ll need to make your speech? You’d better get changed and get over to the club now! Bryce has been calling you for the last fifteen minutes and is about to blow a gasket.”
Niko threw the ball to Ike Jr. and reached for a towel. “And here I thought y’all had my back. I’m getting ready to have to make a speech on television wearing a sweaty T-shirt.”
Thirty minutes later and no one would have dreamed that Niko had just spent an hour playing with his brothers on the basketball court. He walked into the country club as if he’d just left a magazine-cover photo shoot. His double-breasted navy suit fit his frame to a T and the baby-blue shirt paired well with the red, white and blue polka-dot tie. A small flag pin was clipped to his lapel, with a platinum watch and matching cuff links and tie pin his only other accessories. That and his winning smile.
He entered through the back and walked to the private room where his family, staff and financial donors were seated. “Good evening, everyone. My apologies for being late. I had to quickly kick my brothers’ butts on the basketball court.”
This quip caused a flurry of responses and laughter across the room.
His mother walked over. “You’ll likely miss your own funeral,” she softly chided, while accepting a kiss on the cheek. “Spending time with your brothers was obviously beneficial. You look relaxed.”
“I am.” He looked up as Bryce headed his way. “Mom, if you’ll excuse me.” And then to Bryce, “I know. I owe you. Lost track of time.”
“Fortunately for you it doesn’t matter. Your lead is increasing. They’ll probably call the election any minute. Let’s head over to the city auditorium, where your public awaits.”
Niko turned to the room. “Before we leave, I just want to thank everyone for all your hard work. I couldn’t have done this without you.”
“Make sure you have your badges,” Bryce added. “You’ll need them to enter the section that’s reserved for Drake VIPs.”
On the way over, Niko’s phone rang. “Hello, Monique.” He held up his hand for quiet. “Thank you.” Nodding, he continued. “We both worked hard. In spite of everything that happened, you ran an excellent campaign. I really mean that.”
Bryce looked over. “She conceded?”
Niko nodded.
Terrell’s thumbs flew across his iPhone, not slowing down even while talking. “She’s a classy lady. If Niko hadn’t been running, she would have gotten my vote.”
“I’ve seen those appreciative looks you’ve given her. Not so sure she didn’t get it anyway.”
“It was a hard decision, but in the end…family first.”
“Has Dick called?”
Niko glanced at his dad to see if he was kidding. “I don’t expect to hear from him—not tonight.”
Ike Sr. shook his head. “He’ll call. It’s part of the tradition, and Dick holds firm to that.”
They reached city hall. A large crowd had gathered and spilled onto the sidewalk. Signs and placards were everywhere. As soon as Niko stepped out of the car, the chants began.
“Mayor Drake! Mayor Drake!”
He entered the fray, shaking the hands of those who lined the sidewalk. Anyone watching would have figured Niko a seasoned politician and not a first-time official. Inside, the noise was explosive: people cheering, whistles blowing, the band playing a lively tune. Later, he’d swear that the nearly four thousand citizens in Paradise Cove had all turned out to hear his victory speech. It took a while, but finally he made it to the stage. Standing there was one of the town’s wealthiest businessmen, who, along with being president of the chamber of commerce and a staunch supporter, had turned into a valuable friend. They shook hands and hugged before Bryce approached the microphone on the podium. He raised his hands and after a while the hall quieted. “Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you the newly elected mayor of Paradise Cove…Nicodemus ‘Niko’ Drake!”
