Page 134 of Loving the Legend
Too much is on the line.
Only now, as I look around at the empty house and think about the state of my relationship with Sid, I realize quitting therapy may have threatened more than I thought.
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
The Royals defense is excessively aggressive tonight, and it’s starting to piss us off. They’ve fouled us four times, and we’re only in the beginning of the second quarter. Johan, center, for the Royals, committed a personal foul against Ari, our small forward, when he bruised Ari’s arm while attempting a steal. Arnaz came down hard on Kaleb’s shoulder when he attempted a layup. Kaleb almost lost it on him. I had to talk him down. Idris was fouled by Ussef, power forward and center for the Royals, when Ussef hand-checked him. Nicholas, point guard for the Royals, fouled Tevin by flaring his legs out and kicking him when hitting a jump shot. Their aggressive antics have put them in the lead, scoring 42–38.
The ball is in my possession with Arnaz defending me. I’ve missed four of my last ten shots. He usually wouldn’t be able to contain me in isolation, but with how I’m struggling this season, he’s glued to me. I dribble right, hit a between-the-legs crossover, and dribble with my knee forward, protecting the ball in my left hand. He squares up against me, blocking any pass opportunities. I charge forward. As he steps back, I push off of him to create space. I swiftly cross the ball and drive to the basket to complete an underhand layup. My long-range shootingis weak right now, so if I have any chance of making buckets, I’ll have to shoot from mid-range or keep getting to the rim.
Sid toys with Kaleb. Bent forward dribbling slowly, he pretends he’s going to charge to the rim before stepping back and hitting a ballsy long-range three-pointer. The Royals crowd gets loud for him. I roll my eyes as Arnaz chest-bumps Sid, and they exchange a special handshake that I’ve only seen the two of them use.
Kaleb passes the ball to me. I charge down the court as Ussef moves into position to defend me.
The crowd yells, “DEFENSE!”
Let’s see if the Royals can answer the call.
I cross the ball behind my back and charge right, slipping past Ussef, only to run into Sid, who squats low, giving me enough space to read my moves but not to drive past him. I’ll have to outpace him. I charge left and hit a jump fake, and as he jumps up to block the shot, I shuffle right and release a jump shot. My confidence low—I wince as soon as I release it—but it’s good! I fist the air.
“Would’ya look at that? Wonder Kid’s defense improves my game,” I taunt.
He smirks, then races away.
On the next Royals’ possession, they execute solid ball movement, passing it in succession around the perimeter. It’s dizzying trying to keep track of it. One second, Sid’s driving to the rim like he’s going to post a layup, and then he shifts and kicks it out to Johan. Johan passes the ball to Arnaz, who wings it back to Sid. Sid spins around a defending Idris and lobs it back to Johan, who tips it in.
Idris brings the heat, firing off a three-pointer on the next possession.
The score is held at 47–42, Royals lead. For the next five possessions, both teams employ a strong defense. Theirpoint guard is fouled by Kaleb on the next possession when completing a layup. He makes the free throw shots, increasing our deficit to 50–42.
Damn!
I charge up the court, and Johan moves in to defend me. I hit a vicious crossover dribble, and the sudden change in direction causes Johan to trip over his feet and fall backward.
That, my friends, is what you call a flawless ankle breaker!
I drive past him to post a layup—only a hand comes out of nowhere, reaching over me to smack the ball away before it hits the rim. I’d recognize that block from anywhere.
Sid, mayor of Block City.
Arnaz takes possession of the ball and wings it to Sid.
“What’s wrong?” Sid asks, his lip turned slightly upward.
“Who said anything’s wrong?” I reply flatly, not taking the bait.
I attempt a steal, but he crosses the ball between his legs, moving it to his left hand out of reach.
“You’re gnawing on the inside of your cheek, and your eyes are squinty, hiding the gold.”
Ugh. It’s unnerving how much he sees when he watches me.
“Y’all keep fouling us and see what happens,” I warn him.
He smirks. “What’s it to a tough man like you?
I huff out a breath. “You’ve been warned.”
When I’m pissed off, I play my best. It takes a lot for me to get there, but when pushed enough, I go off.
