Bri took my hands, not as a coach, but as my best friend. Right there, we prayed for Naomi—my very best friend, sister, and blood.
“Everybody good?” one of the refs came over to ask. They were about to resume the game as if nothing just happened, as if they didn’t see my fucking blood collapse to the floor.
“Let’s get this over with, ladies!” Bri was back in coach mode. I knew what she was saying. We had to not only go out here and play every single play but win. We had to run this time off the clock, so that she and I could go where our hearts wanted to go—to be with Naomi. Yes, we loved the game of basketball but not more than each other.
A whistle sounded, signaling us to return to the court. I dried my eyes, sniffled, and dried them again as I trudged onto the court. Fans stood to their feet, cheering for us as we prepared to do what none of us wanted to right now. We were still shaken up, but the game had to continue. It was seeing the sadness on the other players’ faces that had me about to start crying again.
I had to get through this. If not for me, then for Naomi. She’d kill my ass if I bombed this shit. Lesha, Naomi’s backup point guard, joined me in the back court. Sure, she and I meshed welltogether in the back court. Lesha and I were like peanut butter and jelly, but Naomi and I went together like Kool-Aid and sugar—you can’t have one without the other.
As if she understood her assignment, Lesha came up and dapped me.
“We got this, boo,” she decreed. Nodding, I agreed with her.
Everyone took their places on the court while my eyes strayed courtside where Sin sat. He wasn’t there. My head briefly bowed, knowing he’d taken off to go after Naomi. I wanted to go with him!
Glancing over to the same spot, Zoo’s eyes met mine. His face was sternly set, but his eyes softly beheld mine.
“I’m here,” he mouthed. Eyes watering again, I blinked them back.
Next to Zoo, Brooklyn’s gaze followed Coach as she paced the sideline. Concern lined his face.
Another whistle sounded, snapping my attention to Lesha, who stood out of bounds with the ball.
“Ready?” she asked.
Regardless of if I was ready or not, the referee blew his whistle, signaling the start of the game.
You’ve got this, Penelope,I coached myself through the remainder of the game. I couldn’t tell you one play I executed because my mind was with Naomi; not even when the ending whistle sounded and the crowd roared with glee that we’d won. I wasn’t in a celebratory mood.
Tears threatened to fall as I quickly did my sportsman-like duties and shook hands with the Stars’ players, my former teammates. I hadn’t thought about them as such until now. Before Naomi collapsed, I was dead set on winning this series. Now, I didn’t give a fuck. I just wanted my sister.
As security led me and my team toward the tunnel, Zoo came into view. He and Brooklyn stood near the entrance.
“Escort those two back,” I ordered one of the guards. He went off to do as I requested. Head down, I continued to the locker room with my teammates. An arm went around my shoulders. Bri squeezed me.
“We’re almost done,” she said, choking up.
I had to hold my shit together a little while longer. This night needed to hurry and be over because the dam was about to break.
Inside the locker room, I quickly showered, threw on my clothes minus my heels, and slid into a pair of slippers instead. With a heart heavy, I fought back tears as I gathered my things. I received several hugs and words of encouragement from the rest of the team, some telling me they’d be at the hospital in support. While I thanked them, nothing was going to make me feel better until I laid eyes on Naomi.
My cellphone buzzed in my purse. I already knew it was my parents before looking at the screen. I had to ignore them for right now. If I talked to them, I’d surely not make it through this interview.
Regardless of how I felt, the reporters were waiting for my post-game statement. Once I finished that bullshit, I could go be with Naomi.
Coming out of the locker room, I locked eyes with Zoo. He extended his hand to me, which I took. His firm hold on my hand was comforting. With his other hand, he took my things.
Security led us to the podium where I would sit to interview. Many reporters packed the conference room where interviews were taking place. Some of their faces were set in somber expressions while others were greedy for a story and could really give a fuck.
“I’ll be right here when you’re done,” Zoo informed me.
Gulping, I slipped my hand from his, climbed the few stairs to the stage, and took my place behind the table. Looking out overthe crowd, my eyes watered at the fact that Naomi should’ve been sitting right beside me.
“Only three questions.” That was Bri, who had joined Zoo and Brooklyn just outside of the cameras’ view.
“Congratulations on advancing to the semi-finals!”
“Any word on Naomi?”
