Page 88 of Loving the Legend
I hunch down and palm the sides of my head as I weigh his options. He can’t bum-rush their defense without committing a foul, but he could go for a mid-range shot. I follow his gaze, and that’s when I see it!
Sid slices through an opening between the Finches’ shooting guard and power forward, who, expecting a charge, plant themselves in place.
Fools!
He explodes off of his back foot and soars through the air. Back arched, he draws his balled arm back behind his head like a taut bowstring. With a kind of superhuman control over his body, he spins 360 degrees and catapults his arm forward, slamming the ball through the rim and beating the game clock by a sliver of a second!
Oh. My. God!
My mouth hangs open.
He did it!
He fucking did it!
I almost don’t believe it until the camera pans to the scorers’ table, and Pat James, a veteran TV announcer, falls out of his chair and shrieks for a replay of Sid’s meta-human spin and poster dunk that has to go down as one of the most incredible shots in the history of the game.
I lose my shit, shadowboxing the air, jumping up and down on the couch until my throat aches from howling. I knew he could get it done.
I knew it!
A tearful Sid appears on the screen, wrapped up in an embrace by Lily, Kieran, and Tommy, the four of them forming a tight circle. I pull the collar of my T-shirt up to wipe my eyes. They’re surrounded by a frenzy of players, families, and the press. Confetti and balloons rain down, littering the floor.
My phone rings, startling me. I send Tevin to voicemail. I skipped his watch party to watch the game at home alone because I knew I’d be emotional if the Marvels won. More emotional than I could explain to my teammates.
Katharine Thurgood from ESPN approaches Sid for an interview, but Justin intervenes, pulling Sid into a tight embrace, and they tearfully exchange words.
“Sid, could you describe what this moment feels like?” Katharine asks him once he’s back in front of the camera.
My pulse races, staring at the intelligent, kind-hearted, and hard-working man on the screen. I think about his journey to this point—the grief and heartbreak from Paul’s death, and fighting his way here through sheer talent, effort, and determination. This moment isn’t about winning a championship or copping a ring. It’s about a lifetime of resilience and hard work. He worked his ass off to get here. Considering his press commitments, I doubt I’ll see him over the next few days, but I can’t wait to tell him I’m so proud of him.
“This was a tough win, and it came down to the wire, but somehow, I got an open look and made it to the rim on that last play.” He stares up at the sky, shaking his head. “I love this team. I spent the last five years pouring my blood, sweat, and heart into this game.” His voice breaks. “It’s been a difficult road to gethere. I just kept my head down and worked hard. MIAMI, THIS IS FOR YOU!”
Katharine’s in the middle of asking another question when Sid’s pulled away by the Marvels’ general manager.
“Hold on!” Sid says, turning back to the camera. “To my family at home watching”—he places his hand on his heart, his signal to me—“god, I wish you were here. I love you, and I can’t wait to celebrate with you. I’m bringing this trophy home to you.” He sniffs as a fresh set of tears tumble down his gorgeous face.
My vision turns blurry. I’ve wanted to tell him I love him for a while now, but I’ve chickened out every time. I’ve never done this before. I don’t know how soon is too soon to say the words. And now he’s said them first in front of the entire world like a goddamn boss. I rub the pang in my chest. I’d give anything to be with him right now. I’ve never wanted for us to be out more than at this moment. I shoot him a quick congratulations text, saving what I want to say to him when I see him.
When I look back at the screen, I huff out a laugh as Kristian sneaks behind Sid and drains a giant cup of something icy over his head. Sid’s mouth drops open, and then he laughs as he tilts his head to the side, shaking water from his ears. He whips his wet towel at a laughing Kristian, who darts out of the way before it makes contact.
During the awards ceremony, Sid is crowned the Finals MVP. I join the crowd chanting “MVP!” as Sid raises the trophy over his head. There are more Marvels fans in the crowd than I thought. The team congregates for pictures with the championship trophy, and then the festivities continue back in the locker room, where they don goggles and spray each other with champagne. Sid, double-fisting bottles, chases after his coach. Justin joins in but almost loses it on the slipperyfloor. Bursting with laughter, their coach throws up his hands in surrender once he’s cornered and gets showered with bubbly.
After the broadcast ends, I’m buzzing with energy, and the quiet of the house is depressing. I grab my headphones, throw on my running shoes, and go for a run.
The cool night air kisses my skin as I take in the open stretch of road—not a person or car in sight. Sid got a ring! I grin as joy swells in my chest. “Woohoo!’” I yell, tilting back my head. As a long-time fan, I would’ve been rooting for Sid tonight even if we’d never met. But damn, the jubilation is something else entirely now that I know him—now that I’m in love with him. He keeps inspiring me. I’m more determined than ever to work hard so that one day soon, it’s me raising a trophy over my head.
After my run, I shower, down a protein shake, and then climb into bed. I scroll through social media clips of the Marvels’ after-party. In one clip, I glimpse Sid clad in a white T-shirt, championship-fitted hat, and ripped jeans, rapping with King D on stage. In another, he has an unlit cigar in his mouth, head bent forward, listening to his coach. He’s surrounded by bottle service waitresses clad in his jerseys—worn as crop tops—bootie shorts, and garters.
For fuck’s sake, the thirst is real.
I close the app and throw my phone on the charger.
I’mjolted awake by a thumping sound.
I listen for noise, but I’m met with only the sound of my breathing, so I shrug it off as most likely an animal brushing against the house. Living surrounded by mountains, I’ve seen everything from bears, mountain lions, coyotes, and snakes.
I check my phone and groan when I realize it’s only 5:23 a.m. I see a missed call and text from two hours ago from Sid and grin.
