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Thump.
Thump.
Thump.
Silence.
The crowd erupts, slowly but then all at once, as everyone turns crazy. The ball swishes, falling right through the net.
Hailey’s jumping and I’m doing the same. We’re both screaming.
We tied it up.
The energy around us is as momentous as the play itself.
It’s only after I register everything else that I remember a foul was called. The ref, he’d called it on our opponent, but the ball went in?
“We get the points, but Cole was still fouled so he gets a penalty shot.”
The players are already positioned, lined up below, knowing the drill. Cole is standing ready, behind the free-throw line.
“One shot,” she clarifies like I didn’t understand the first time. “This will determine the game.”
Again, she speaks aloud things I already know. The final buzzer had gone off as soon as the ball left Iceman’s hold.
Hailey’s hands are clasped tightly together, resting under her chin as she bounces in anticipation. Mumbling, her encouragement pants under her breath.
I’m charged and overdrawn, my body hums with quiet exertion.
Hailey reaches for my hand when the strain becomes too much. I take it, needing it as well.
The ref is under the hoop, eyeing each player individually. We all understand the pressure of this moment. Everything comes down to this one final play.
The sound of his whistle being blown is the only noise in the too-quiet space. Tossing, he gives the ball to Cole, who hardly seems anxious. The opposite of how a normal person would react. In fact, he’s the most calm I’ve ever seen him.
Composed as he is confident.
My breath holds, getting stuck in my stomach when he bends his knees and starts to dribble the ball in warmup.
Those cerulean eyes, clear as they focus on his target, dead ahead. The burden of this one chance is nothing he’s not used to. His strength in times of distress makes him that much more attractive.
No one can get to him. Not even if they tried.
He dribbles one last time, feet planted firmly in place, and then…the ball’s gone.
Gravity suspends it as it floats through nothing, moving closer with every new go. I want to sigh in relief when I hear that familiar clink as it hits the rim. Same as earlier, only this time, instead of bouncing, it rolls…
The anticipation is killing me. My blood pumps, working in overtime. I’m not sure my heart can take much more excitement but then it goes in.
The ball falls through the net beautifully.
A deep exhale of air whooshes out my mouth.
Simple.
The bright-orange sphere hits the ground. There’s this lull moment where everyone’s mind has the chance to play catch-up. When it does though and the finality of it all settles, the crowd erupts all over again.
Somehow louder than the last time if that’s possible.
