Page 10 of Scoring the Player
“Is it fair that their security has to do the extra work of throwing out impassioned ticket holders for?—”
“Impassioned,” Todd cuts in with a laugh. “Some might call ’em homophobic.”
Darius shrugs. “This is the free world. In case you forgot about the First Amendment? Isn’t that what started this mess?”
“What’ya mean?”
“Cade’s selfish article that no one asked him to publish.”
“You’re wildin’, man.”
“Nah, I’m keepin’ it real. Let’s ask our 3.7 million viewers.”
“Man, let it g?—”
“Put up a poll. Let our viewers weigh in.” He signals to someone off camera. “Hashtag DariusNToddShow. Will Cade be dropped from the Royals this season? Yes or No? Sound off.”
CHAPTER 2
SALEM
It’s the second quarter when Coach puts me into the game. The crowd makes noise to commemorate my return. After five months of healing a stress fracture in my left foot, I’m ready to make the comeback of a lifetime. I’ve played for two other teams in my pro career, but ain’t no crowd like the Brooklyn Lions’.
A lot has changed this season. For one, we have rookies who are pulling their weight. Then there’s the bench that’s proven to be deep enough to keep us in the running for playoffs when, like me, our star point guard and center succumbed to respective shin and shoulder injuries. Then finally, my favorite change this season—the league has an openly gay player! And I’ve had a thing for that player for as long as I can remember. Anyone in the league coming out as gay is exciting, but Arnaz Cade—or Blue, as I call him—coming out? It’s the greatest discovery since electricity or Einstein uncovering that light is the fastest thing in the universe. Some might argue that my comparing Einstein’s theory of relativity to learning my crush is gay is absurd. However, to me, the discovery is just as astonishing. I think my dude Einstein would feel me. He explained relativity asan hour talking to a pretty woman feeling shorter than a minute of having one’s hand on a hot stove.
Unfortunately, Blue’s rumored to be dating his LA Royals teammate, Sid King, but until it’s been confirmed, I’m not giving up hope. Considering we play for teams on opposite sides of the country, I have to be creative when I make my move. Someone who has the balls to be the first openly gay player in the league deserves a bold play.
Jason, power forward for Minnesota, drives hard to the lane.
Cute!
Before he can complete the dunk, I’m charging through the air. My shoulders eclipse the back of his head as I reach up to smack the ball away.
Not in my house!
Jason clasps his head and complains to the refs that I fouled him.
“Nah, bruh! That block was immaculate,” I fire back.
I race up the court and catch a pass from our center.
I evade Minnesota’s defense and attempt a fadeaway jump shot. It bounces off the rim, but Cillian, our shooting guard, rebounds and floats it in.
Damn, it feels good to be back!
Cillian kisses the horseshoe tat on the back of his hand, then winks at me. That’s my homie. When everything went down with Blue and Sid, our team, like I imagine every team in the NBA, discussed it in the locker room. I hated the offensive jokes being made. I was tired of that shit. A new dawn had arrived. I could join Sid and Blue or stay quiet and let things remain the same. I remembered something my dad said about when one person chooses to evolve, however painfully, they inadvertently influence the people in their radius. I made a choice.
I stood up and faced my teammates.
“Yo! Chill. Some of y’all are talking recklessly. Watch that ignorant shit around me. I think it takes balls to do what Arnaz and Sid are doing. And for the record, I’m gay! Not that it’s any of y’all’s business.”
Everyone went silent as expected. I stared into their faces, silently asking, “We got a problem?”
Cillian spoke up first. “My brother, Liam, is gay. He’s the best.”
All eyes turned to him. He stood up, reached inside his cubby, and pulled out his deodorant. He swiped some on and faced me like we were in the middle of a conversation.
“Uh—yeah? Is this the, uh, brother you introduced me to when we played Toronto last season?” I asked.
