Page 79 of Hard to Take

His arms wrap around me, tugging my back to his front.

His heart beats through my back. The rhythm matches mine.

23

MILES

“Shit, that hurt.” Rookie winces as he watches a video version of himself take a hard foul.

“Happened two days ago. You should be good as new.” Atlas throws a pencil at him that bounces off his shoulder.

“Says the guy who took his sweet time coming back this year.”

Today’s our day off in between road games and the Kodiaks are packed into a meeting room watching film after practice.

I’m in the back row with Rookie.

Jay picked the front without so much as a glance my way.

Chloe knocks on the door. “Can I have a word?”

Coach nods. “We’re just wrapping up here.” One more look sweeps the room. “I mean what I said. Keep it clean. No risks. We’re playing second-half basketball now.”

He steps back and Chloe smiles, taking the floor.

“Didn’t know you were traveling with us this week.” Jay shifts forward in his seat.

“The communications team has some decisions to make. The GM thought it would be best if I attended in person but I’m heading back after this.”

Chloe lifts her iPad, swiping a finger over the surface to pull up her notes. She’s not a big person, especially compared to us, but the suit jacket is a “don’t fuck with me” reminder.

Jay and Chloe dated before my time. I’m not privy to the full details of exactly what went down, but from a couple of times he’s confided after he’s had a few drinks, their breakup nearly destroyed him.

Not that you’d know it from the outside. Jayden’s the perfect modern point guard. He’s personable and professional, the guy who can flex with a veteran player or take a hard line to show a new one how it’s done.

Reporters like joking around with me, but when the media need a real answer after a game about how the team views their play, they go to Jay. They trust him.

So do I.

But in the couple of weeks since he found out about me and Brooke, there’s a new ice age that’s descended on the team.

I’ve been trying to give him space to process, figuring he’ll thaw out. In the meantime, there are real stakes for the team, and me. My agent hasn’t heard back from the shoe sponsor and the Kodiaks are hovering in the last Western playoff spot.

“Voting for the all-star game is coming up. We need to finalize who we’re putting forward,” Chloe says.

The East and West teams will be made up of guys from across the league. Even though it doesn’t contribute toward anything in the regular season, it’s a big deal, both for pride and a player’s marketability. My own agent has told me that it can add millions a year in negotiation power.

Though the choice of which players will make up the roster is ultimately made by coaches, media and fans, it’s customary that the PR engine of each pro team campaigns hard for a couple of their guys. Most teams wind up with one player who makes the cut, but others can get selected for the peripheral contests.

I’ve been for the three-point competition. It was a lot of fun to participate, though it’s more of a spectacle and bragging rights than anything.

“We decided we’re going to push for Miles,” Chloe says.

Scattered hollers go up around the room. Rookie thumps me on the back.

It takes a moment for the words to sink in. I never pictured myself as a legit all-star, though on paper, I’m turning in the kind of games that put my name in the mix.

My first thought is: I can’t wait to tell Brooke.

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