He pulls out his famous notebook. “While I announce for your team, I have followed Brandon Johns as I still considered him one of our own. His stats are great, and whatever caused the Stingers to give him up is a mystery because they needed him to make any part of the playoffs.”
“It’s a mystery to both of us, Brian.” I stand, go to the window, and look down at the guys on the court preparing for a training run.
Brandon is there early, just as he used to be, mingling with some of the team. River strolls out of the tunnel and says something to Brandon. Brian is rattling off numbers and stats of Brandon’s past games, but I don’t hear any of it. Not only do I already know his stats, as I, too, have followed his progress with every game and understand his brilliance, but I’m also intent on watching what goes down between River and Brandon.
“He is an enigma,” Brian says behind me. “But the MVP remains safe with your brother. This guy will steal some of his limelight and elevate the team to the level we need.”
I turn back to Brian. “You compare him to Byron?”
“I do. They complement each other.”
I nod, turning back to the glass. All the air leaves my lungs when Byron walks out of the tunnel and rejects Brandon’s handshake. He says something to him, and they both disappear back into the tunnel. “Complement? I hope they don’t compete against each other on the court. It’s what happened the last time, and they both suffered greatly.”So did I.“I trust you have everything you need in preparation for the game. Is there anything else you need from me?” Because I want to get down to the locker room and extinguish the fire before it burns our team to the ground.
15
BRANDON
Thirty minutes earlier…
I’m early.
Arriving at the LA Sharks arena, I want to make an impression on my first day. I’m not here for a free ride. I’m here to work and help them get a championship we all dream about.
Coach is holding a meeting to introduce me to the team, mainly the rookies, since the senior guys know me and thought that by being early, I’d have the court to myself.
I walk directly into the locker room, hang my clothes in cubicle twenty-two, and sit on the chair to tie my laces.
“You’re the new dude.”
I glance up at a young guy with his dark hair pulled back into a bun, who appears to be in his early twenties. “Yeah, kinda.” I stand and hold out my hand. “BJ.”
He taps my hand, front, back, knuckles twice, hand slap, elbow tap, chest bump. Same team handshake from before I left.“Stefan.” He takes a step back. “I’ve heard good things about you. Fastest pass in the league. Sweet hook shot.”
I smile. “Ah… you’re wearing number seven.” I tap his shoulder. “I hope it serves you as well as did me.”
“I didn’t get to hit the court much, but yeah, it’s an honor.”
“You will. Continue arriving early and do the hard yards. Your time will come.” I leave him to change, and I head out of the tunnel to the court. There are now three guys training at the opposite end. Rather than interrupt their routine, I stay to shoot hoops alone, level my thoughts, and prepare myself for what’s to come.
Nothing prepared me for this trade—especially how I reacted to seeing Charlotte and every cell in my body screaming to touch her. When I saw her eyes, I immediately knew not all was lost. But the first meet-up with Byron will be at another level.
Weeks ago, he wanted to smash me on the court. Now, we’re expected to play alongside each other. Gel, as though the past hasn’t influenced us at all.
My stomach turns over, thinking about his reaction.
He doesn’t trust me.
None of them do.
I rebound the ball as Simpson strolls onto the court, wearing a grin ear to ear. “I’ll be damned. Never thought I’d see the day Brandon Johns was back in the shark tank.” He pulls me in for a bear hug.
“Thought you’d be retired, old man. How you keeping?”
“Mighty fine, brother. I’m still here, am I not?”
I nod. “And I’m back. The universe has a plan for us, mate.”
“Yeah, a championship.”
