35
CHARLOTTE
Six minutes remainon the clock.
We have won three games against Dallas in the Western Conference finals. They have won one. If we win tonight, we are finals bound, baby.
Just as Brandon shoots for a three-pointer, my cell vibrates in my hand. He misses, and the home crowd groans. With disappointment, I look at the screen.Giana. She is watching the game from home. There is nothing I can tell her about the game except we are two points down, and it’s damn stressful.
My cell vibrates again. Pressing one finger to my ear, I swipe the screen. “Hello.”
“Lottie, thank you.”
I barely hear her over the screams. “Is everything okay?”
“No. I’ve gone into labor.”
“Shit.”
“My mother is here. Please ask Byron to come to the hospital as soon as the game ends.”
“Of course. There’s five minutes left on the clock.” We both know that time can stretch out to at least ten minutes. “I’m excited for you, Gigi!”
My mother turns in her chair. “What’s happening?”
“Giana’s in labor and heading to the hospital. I need to tell Byron.” Their eyes lift to the time clock just as he shoots a three-pointer. I clap hard, whooping for my brother.
“Darling, go and tell the manager now. It will be hell getting out with the crowd. He will never forgive you if something happens and he doesn’t make it.”
“You’re right.” I head down the stairs, security stepping aside and allowing me to pass. I signal to Glen, the assistant coach, and he approaches. I get close to his ear. “Giana is in labor, and her mother is driving her to the hospital. You need to tell him now.”
Glen looks at the clock and then at Byron.
“Now,” I demand.
Our first reaction is to get the win, as it’s only minutes from our grasp. Only when it comes to Giana, he’d sprint off the court to ensure she is okay.
Byron fakes with a jab step and breezes past his opponent. He passes the ball to Brandon, and he hits the three. I clap hard. Byron runs near the sideline, and Glen calls out to him.
“What?” he yells, hand to his ear. The music blares, and the fans chant as we take the lead.
“Giana is in labor.”
Byron frowns, and when he sees me, I nod.
“Get me off the court,” he demands. “I’m out.”
The opposition runs toward him, and Byron fouls the player. We make a sub, and he runs off the court, high-fivingcoach and his teammates as he runs directly to the locker room.
I see Brandon look at me wide-eyed, and I give him a nod.
Time to step up, my love. You promised us finals. You have a few minutes to make it happen.
I return to my seat, and when I sit, Brandon is still watching me. He shouts to his teammates and takes control. For the next two minutes, I watch him blitz the opposition, set up his teammates, and play the best defense I have ever seen.
We win the game with a six-point lead, and the fans hug, jumping around and screaming with excitement, including my family, who are now hugging each other.
We did it.
