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Finn
ForaslongasI can remember, basketball has been my life.
As far back as when I was a kid, it’d been as simple as a ball and a hoop, and I was hooked. It fascinated me. It’s my comfortandmy peace.
If the court is my home, then a ball is my sanity.
Respect one, earn the other. That’s the motto I’ve lived by to get me where I am today. I might’ve gotten accepted into college on a scholarship, but since day one, I’ve come in and proved that I belonged the same as everyone else.
I earned the reputation I have today by putting in the work. Both mentally and physically, training, practicing, and accepting my willingness to mess up. Hours,yearsof my life have been dedicated to the game I love.
College is only the beginning for me though. A summer and then one more year of school—a single season—is all I have to prove to everyone that I’ve got what it takes. If I have any chance of going pro after graduation, this is it.
This is that last leg, the home stretch if I want to finally be able to achieve the dream that I’ve spent years working toward and making.
No interruptions, no distractions, all ball.
Pulling an earbud from my ear, the music blasts past the small speakers as I take a seat opposite the person who’s been my mentor for the last three years.
Coach.
This man believed in me before I understood and knew I could do that for myself. Him personally searching me out and offering me this chance to join his team and be more than I was born to do.
If it weren’t for his offer, I’d most likely be where my sister is, training alongside our father in preparation to one day take over the business that’s made our family billions.
Coach gifted me with this opportunity to be great in my own way. His opinion matters.
My sister, Rory, was more fit to step up in that leadership role at Hardin the same way I am here in a pair of fresh sneakers and a high-gloss wooden floor.
The pieces just fit.
Coach’s hair has started to show more gray than back when I was a freshman. I wouldn’t be surprised if I helped contribute to that, in fact, I’d even be somewhat offended if I learned otherwise.
I know who I am and how I operate. Let’s just say I haven’t given him an easy break like he was hoping.
On his turf, sure, I’m all ears, off…well, what? Like I can help that the ladies love me on the court as much as they do off? Idohave a reputation to uphold, and being known as a bad fucking lay is not something I’m willing to compromise on. Same as my love for basketball.
They get off, I get off, and we have fun for the night. It’s a win-win in my book. Coach doesn’t agree, and he’d turn a blind eye to my philanthropic ways if he didn’t have to get himself involved.
He rubs at his scalp, and I know.
I told you I have a reputation.
The black strands in his thinning head of hair have interwoven themselves with so much silver it’s hard to tell what’s what anymore. This new addition gives it a salt-and-pepper look.
I yank at the other earbud when that rounded face and equally full nose rise up and glance across his desk toward me. He can’t look down at me from this angle, unfortunate for him since we’re eye to eye even if his chair is raised slightly higher.
Not that that small, measly added form of intimidation would work on me, regardless. I grew up around sharks and learned early on how to swim in the water.
My mouth curves, not enough for him to notice but enough that I know he’s not happy about the seating, not today at least.
His eyes narrow and that’s when I realize I’m in trouble. I’ve seen the hand-on-the-head maneuver a million times over, but this time is different. His expression is more strained. Less mentor and more…disappointed parent?
I turn off my music, instantly alert as those ever-present thoughts in my mind replace the soothing, blaring sound from before.
Other people’s voices and lyrics have always helped clear the ones from my own. If I can’t think, then I just have to do. Go off instinct.
