“I can’t believe I’m standing here right now. I realized my childhood dream this year of playing in the NBA and to add recognition on top of it is completely surreal. I watched my father succeed in professional athletics and I knew it was what I wanted more than anything.
“I’d like to thank God because without Him, I’m nothing. Next, my parents, Everett and Paige, thank you for giving everything for me. My twin, Reagan—I love you Little Sister. My teammates and coaches have been incredible and the entire Charlotte organization has had my back and I’m honored to be a part of the Sting.
“Most of all, I’d like to thank my wife, Mackenzie Banks Mills, for making my life complete. I have loved her since I was fourteen years old and I’m the luckiest man alive to be able to call you my wife. You and our daughter, London, are my world. I love you.”
Cheers and applause break out as I follow the presenters backstage and take a few photographs before I’m allowed to return to my spot in the audience where my wife sits. Just as I approach her, a tap on my shoulder causes me to look back.
Trey Spencer narrows his eyes at me.
Taking a calming breath, I put my hand out to shake his. He hesitantly accepts and the tension I didn’t realize I was holding releases as my shoulders relax.
“Listen, Mills, I wanted to say congratulations.” He laughs as he sees my shocked expression. Unlike the last time I saw Trey, he looks every inch the NHL superstar. A custom suit, hair styled in place, he looks healthy and I’m happy for him.
“Thanks, Spencer.”
“So, you and Kenzie, I mean, Mackenzie, are married.”
“Yeah we are.”
“She deserves a good man and it’s taken me a long time to realize that I wasn’t good enough for her. You are.”
Before I can say anything, he walks past me and sits down. I look over to see that he came alone. To say I’m surprised is an understatement.
I reach my seat and find my wife looking at me nervously as she chews on her lip. Her eyes search my face looking for answers that I’m not sure I have.
“What just happened with Trey?”
I have to shake my head to come to terms with it before I can say anything to her.
“He congratulated me on winning and on our marriage.”
“You’re joking.”
“Bible.”
“What?”
“Sorry, just something stupid Carter said. I promise, that’s what he said.”
Instead of saying anything, my beautiful wife leans in and captures my lips with hers. It’s always like walking through the front door anytime she kisses me. She’s my home. Her and our baby girl.
“I love you Mr. Mills.”
“I love you more, Mrs. Mills.”
CHAPTER
THIRTY-EIGHT
JORDAN
The next segment of the show is the award for Best College Basketball Player and Williams is the favorite to win that category. While Mack and I were at the hospital, the Titans completed a back-to-back national championship run, something that hasn’t been done since Florida in the early 2000s.
Williams was the talk of the NBA Draft. I don’t know how they did it, but the Sting traded up and snagged the number two spot, drafting Williams to my team. I’m thrilled at the chance to play with him again and build something even better than what we put together this year. Being a team composed of mostly younger players, it’s going to take time for us to gel and get ready for a championship run.
When the presenters approach the microphone, I look a few rows behind me to see Williams, cool as ever, sitting with his mom. She’s holding his hand and you can tell she’s both excited and nervous.
“And the winner of the ESPY is… Theo Williams, Center for Carolina Tech University Titans.”
