“Please continue, Desley.”
I will not allow Walter to demean her ideas and worth.
At the end of the meeting, I check my cell. Byron and Brandon are both at the Los Angeles Children’s Hospital, visiting the pediatric oncology ward.
I inform Franklin and Jobe, “I’m going to join Byron andBJ. I need to see the good our players do and see some children smile.”
“I’ll join you,” Franklin says, loosening his tie.
“As much as I would like to come along…” Jobe begins, “… I have another board meeting with Hendricks Real Estate after the latest council changes.”
While the team is my priority, Franklin and Jobe have major businesses to manage outside of basketball. With Jobe expanding his real estate company internationally, I respect any time he is able to give to the operations of the team. And Franklin—he is a workaholic on steroids as CEO of our family’s main business, Hendricks Capital Management.
I push up onto my toes and kiss my brother on the cheek. “Thank you for today. While I don’t need protecting, I enjoyed seeing Walter shit his pants when you had him by the collar.”
He grins at me. “It took all my willpower not to punch the fucker.”
“While I agree…” Franklin growls out, “… I was thinking how I was going to immediately terminate his employment. Unfortunately, the legalities stopped me from doing so. But you nailed it, Lottie. It had to come from you.”
“We’re very proud of you, sis.” Jobe gives me a little punch to the shoulder.
“Very.” Franklin smirks. “Although I was concerned he might have a stroke. His blood pressure needs to be checked.”
“That is of concern,” I mutter. “But his anger management needs to be controlled first.”
“I’ll speak with Kay.”
I nod at Franklin. Our mental health and wellness manager is not here for the players alone.
Thirty minutes later, Franklin and I arrive at thechildren’s hospital with bags of gifts for the kids. We are directed to the ward and find Byron and Brandon in a room wearing masks. Standing at the door, we take the moment to listen to their conversation.
“What did we say?” Byron says. “Here are the two bosses from the team. What do you have for Casey?”
My stomach tightens as the little boy turns his head to us. He has lesions over his face and arms. “Jerseys and hats. And for you, we have a banner for your room.”
He manages to smile. “Thank you,” he murmurs.
Byron comes to me, takes the merchandise from the bag, and then walks back into the room. He lays the jersey on his bed and places the cap on Casey’s head. Casey’s smile grows. Brandon takes the banner and, with the help of the nurse, pins it to his wall.
“Next time we play, and I hit a three-pointer, I’ll make a heart with my hands like this.” Brandon curls his fingers into the shape. “It will be for you.”
Casey mimics the shape with his hands.
“That’s right.” He gently taps his knuckles with him.
“What about you?” Casey croaks to Byron.
I don’t hear what he says as I walk away to compose myself with tears welling in my eyes.
It’s moments like these that make governing a team worth all the stress behind closed doors. When our players can bring some joy to children, it makes the game real and not just about winning a championship.
29
BRANDON
After training,Byron is on his cell, standing there in the buff, his face toward his locker. River flicks his towel at Byron’s ass, but it doesn’t connect. I swear he has a death wish.
Leroy shakes his head. “I wouldn’t do that, man.”
