Page 66 of Fast Break
Something about seeing those two ladies there in the stands to support me causes something indescribable to tighten in my chest. Something that feels suspiciously like love—the kind you have for family that is. Uncle Alec is shaking hands with Amy and Gran and making introductions along the row. I catch Quinn’s eye, and he shoots me a wink.
I can’t believe Quinn’s family are here to support me. Not even my own family are here tonight. But then again, I was the one who made the decision not to tell them about the game and it’s not like they would ever ask. They have chosen to not give a damn about me and the one thing I love most, other than Quinn, so I have decided to respect that. At least this way I can’t be constantly disappointed by them anymore.
Coach is wearing a charcoal suit and looking real dapper as he paces on the sidelines, and I think I detect a hint of nerves from him too. He calls us in early and we huddle around him, Trey and Marco boxing me in on either side.
Coach usually loves the theatre of the game, but he keeps his pep talk simple. “There’s a lot of love in the stands for you boys tonight. Use the energy of the crowd but don’t let it distract you from what you have to do. Focus on the prize. Sterlings, you have full permission to bring chaos ball to the court tonight. Let’s go have fun and play the game of your life, boys,” he says before he sends us out onto the court.
Trey is at my side, and we exchange our pre-game fist bump before settling into our positions around Vince in the centre. We’ve been here before. We know what to do.
The siren sounds and the referee throws the ball up. Vince gets the jump, and the ball lands in my hands.
It’s game on.
***
The final siren blares at the end of the last quarter and the Dukes seal the win! We’re ahead by a razor-thin two points in what has easily been the hardest-fought victory of my career. The lead must have changed at least eight times, and I’m pretty certain half the crowd might be needing treatment for heart attacks.
But none of that matters because we are the Division One champions, and it feels amazing.
Trey leaps onto my back, nearly crushing me under his weight as the five of us dive on each other before the bench and Coach are there with us too.
Our families and supporters descend the court, but I only have eyes for Quinn. We somehow manage to find each other in the crowd where he pulls me into a hug, lifting my feet off the ground.
“I’m proud of you,” he says into my ear just before I’m ripped away from him by my grandparents with hugs and cheers.
Somewhere in the whirlwind of celebrations, the championship trophy and player medallions are brought out onto court. One by one, we’re presented with our premiership medals, draping them proudly around our necks.
Then the head of the league steps forward, microphone in hand, and announces my name as the Division One MVP. For a second I’m frozen, barely processing the words as my teammates erupt around me. I accept the extra medal, feeling slightly dazed as my fingers brush over the cool metal. But it’s not until I find Quinn in the crowd, his bright, proud eyes locked onto mine, signature crooked smile in place, that the moment truly sinks in.
I walk straight to him and he hugs me tight, and then Amy is there to give me another hug and I am feeling so on top of the world I hardly have words.
“JT, this is my gran,” Quinn introduces, running his arm around the back of the frail little old lady at his side.
“Hello,” I say, trying to hide the sudden attack of shyness.
“Well, hello, JT,” Gran beams back at me. “What a game you just played.”
“Thank you, Gran,” I say, not sure how to refer to her as Quinn didn’t give me any other name. But she doesn’t seem to mind and neither does Quinn as he shoots me a smile that is entirely soft.
“And you’re just lovely too, aren’t you?” she adds, squeezing my hand between hers. “Much better than that last one.”
“Okay, thank you, Gran,” Quinn cuts in, but I want to hear more about theother onenow that Gran has brought him up.
“What? He was horrible,” Gran digs in. I can’t stop the grin spreading on my face.
“I’m not denying that but there’s a time and a place,” Quinn returns with a sigh.
“I think now’s a great time,” I cut in, sharing a delighted smile with Gran.
“Oh, I like him,” she says to Quinn. “Don’t you let him go, grandson.”
“Not planning on it,” Quinn says, sending me an indulgent smile.
“I expect you young ones will want to go out and celebrate the win,” Gran comments.
“That’s certainly the plan,” I agree.
“Come on then, Mum,” Amy cuts in. “I better get you home before I rush off for my shift. Congratulations again, JT.”
