Page 13 of Loving the Legend
His eyebrows hike up. “That’s a good question. I have so much energy. I can’t imagine not training rigorously for a living. I mean, you know firsthand that to get to the league, you have to maintain a single-minded focus. I’d probably play soccer. What about you?”
“Formula 1 Racing,” I answer without missing a beat.
“Word? Are you an adrenaline junky?” he asks, eyes wide.
“I think it’s cool how present you have to be while racing, making super split-second decisions. Also, the whips are sick!”
He grins. “Imagine having that much horsepower at your fingertips.”
I’m not sure he has to imagine. I've seen a segment once that featured his luxury car collection.
“I have a question,” he says. “It’s serious. Brace yourself.”
I nod.
“Thanksgiving just passed, as you know. How’d you spend it, and where do you land on the age-old debate, pumpkin vs sweet potato pie?”
I chuckle at the randomness of the question, causing him to laugh too.
“I woke up and went for a run, then I delivered food to families in need. My uncle is a firefighter with a tough schedule, so we didn’t get a chance to spend it together this year.”
A small frown etches away the remnants of his laughter. Maybe he understands the inherent loneliness of a holiday spent amongst strangers, though he doesn’t seem likely to acknowledge it on camera. I can’t help but wonder what this conversation could have been without cameras in the room.
“It’s cool that you give back. What about the pie question?”
“Oh, 100% pumpkin. My mom’s pie used to slap. Though peach or apple trumps pumpkin for me,” I reply.
He holds his chest like it’s wounded. “Nah, bruh! It’s sweet potato all the way!” He turns to the camera. “Viewers at home, take to social media and cast your vote! Let’s solve this once and for all.”
I bite back a smile. “How’d you spend yours?”
I imagine him laid out on a private beach somewhere like Bora Bora with a gorgeous supermodel or two, having epic sex under the night sky. Lazing like a king, he’d dine on exoticseafood fished from the South Pacific Ocean, prepared by a private chef.
“In my family, we have an age-old tradition where everyone comes over to my house to feast. It used to be hosted at my mom’s house, but my crib is more fun.No offense, Ma!Well, the traditional part is that we turn Thanksgiving into an epic three-day sleepover where we eat leftovers, play board games, watch movies, and chill. Even if I have games, I’ll try to fly back in time to catch some of it.”A wildly cute grin lights up his face. It’s the best thing I’ve seen in a while.
“Man, that honestly sounds amazing. I want a big family one day. I’d create similar traditions.” My parents and I used to love cooking together during the holidays. Uncle Adam would sometimes join us by bringing a guy he was dating. It was everything.I had it so good.
“I see it for you. In the meantime, you’re welcome to join mine. I get the sense you’d fit right in. Just a word of caution—my cousin Kieran cheats at Monopoly, so count your houses and stacks before getting up from the table.”
“Thanks. I might take you up on that. I should warn you, I’m vicious about copping utilities, Boardwalk, and Park Place. Cross me, and I’ll bankrupt you.”
He laughs. “Yeah, you’ll fit right in.”
I reel back my smile. “I want to travel away from basketball for a bit. What’s a book or movie that you read or watched recently that you really enjoyed?”
“You want to know something funny?” He hands me his paper. “Peep the third question.”
“You typed this up?” I glance up and catch his nod in response. I grin, impressed with his preparation for the interview. “The question is, ‘What’s a book you’ve read that you found deeply enjoyable?’”
I hand back the paper. “You love reading too?”
“Ever since I was a kid.” The heel of his foot drums against the floor. “To answer your question, I just read about a marathon runner and ex-marine who experienced childhood trauma.” He shakes his head. “Tough read. He flailed for years from self-doubt and low self-esteem, but then he turned his life around. The mental fortitude this guy has, even to this day, is next level. I stayed up all night reading it.”
“I love books that capture the resilience of a person. It can reach superhuman proportions. Remind me to cop the title from you.”
He hums. “Whenever I’m wiped on the court and need gas I think of him, and I’m instantly recharged. What about you?”
“I’m re-readingThe Count of Monte Cristoby Alexandre Dumas. I read it in high school, but it hits differently after all these years.”
