He looks so sweet and sad that I almost feel bad for lying to him. Almost.
I boxthe defender out and grab the defensive rebound, immediately passing it up the lane to Sulley. She dribbles to the basket and overshoots what should have been an easy layup. She’s so off tonight. It’s very unlike her.
Palmer and I are keeping the team afloat with our rebounds, while Layla and I account for most of our points, but if Sulley doesn’t get hot, we have no chance. We need her perimeter shooting. She’s the best in the league at popping threes.
We head into the locker room at halftime down by nine points. It’s not insurmountable, but we’ve got a lot of work to do.
Reagan walks into the locker room while we’re all toweling off and drinking water. We usually do that for a few minutes until it’s time for a speech from Coach Lakshmi.
She’s not in a pantsuit tonight. She’s in a designer, fancier version of our jersey that has been made into a cute little dress. It’s kind of weird to see her like this. I nod at it. “Do we get to wear those jerseys next year?”
“You can wear whatever you want if you win,” she answers without missing a beat. “Ladies, I stopped by to tell you I’m proud of you. You’ve worked hard as a team and have come such a long way in the past two years. Last year, you were equally talented, but you played as separate individuals. This year, you’re a true team. The love and unwavering support you have for each other shines through.” Her eyes meet mine. “In some ways, don’t you feel as if you’ve already won?”
I nod. That’s exactly how I feel.
She continues. “Don’t go back out there feeling pressure.” I know that’s directed at Sulley. She’s right. Sulley has the weightof this franchise on her shoulders. It’s not fair to her. “Go out there and play because you love the game and you love playing with your best friends. They’re your found family.”
Everyone is silent, letting her words sink in. Found family. I like that term. She’s right. That’s exactly what we are.
She eventually leaves, and we all huddle together, vowing to play our hearts out.
We return to the floor as a completely different team. Sulley is on fire as she drops three after three. Unfortunately, Diane the Dick is matching her hot streak, as she, too, drops three after three.
We’re now down by two, and there’s a stop in play. Diane bumps my shoulder with hers. “Where’s your fire, Kennedy?”
My fire? I’ve just set a championship series rebounds record. What’s this crazy bitch smoking? She’s just trying to get under my skin.
“Fuck off, loser,” I snap.
She lets out a whistle. “Wow. Someone needs to get laid.”
I narrow my eyes at her. “I did last night. Just ask your brother.”
She pinches her eyebrows in confusion. “I don’t have a brother, asshat.”
I wink. “You will in about nine months.” I blow her a kiss. “Say hi to your dad for me. Or as I like to call him,Daddy.”
She snarls and shoves me. I do a bit of an acting job and flop to the ground. She’s immediately whistled by the referees for a flagrant foul.
I smile at her as I happily sink two technical shots, tying the game. I turn to her and rock the baby. Her teammates have to hold her back while mine laugh at the entire altercation.
We continue to trade baskets throughout the fourth quarter. We’re down by one and they have the ball with about fifteen seconds left in the game. There are only five seconds remaining on the shot clock, so we don’t foul them.
Diane starts to move for the lane, but Palmer strips the ballfrom her and quickly calls a timeout. I look up at the clock. There are seven seconds left.
We all jump on Palmer for the big play as we head to the bench to huddle with our coaches. Coach Lakshmi pulls out the clipboard. I’m sure we’re going to run a play designed to get Sulley open for the game-winning shot. My job will likely be to pick for her. I’m more than good with that. In the biggest moments, you want the ball in the hand of your star, and my best friend is the biggest star of all.
I smack her shoulder. “You’ve got this, superstar. I believe in you.”
She takes a deep breath and nods.
Coach Lakshmi and Fallon share an amused look as she draws her Xs and Os on the clipboard. “We’ve got a few plays in mind. Shay, you’ll inbound the ball to Sulley at halfcourt and then quickly head to the basket for a possible tip-in if the shot is missed.”
Shay nods, understanding her role in this.
Coach continues, “Palmer and Layla, draw your defenders away from the lane, but crash the boards once the shot goes up. Kennedy, I want you to fake like you’re about to set a pick for Sulley but then lose your defender and roll toward the basket. Sulley, bounce pass her the ball for the game-winning layup.”
I stand there dumbfounded while Fallon tries to hide her smile. I know this was her idea.
