Page 64 of Shot Taker

I catch a stray ball and square to the basket, letting off a shot that swishes through the net.

“What are they fighting about?” I can’t resist asking. “The team is winning.”

“Harlan wants a deep run in the playoffs and is talking about trading a few pieces to set us up for the postseason. But Parker wants to double down on the winning now because he likes seeing his name in the news.”

The next ball comes to me, and I fire it on to Rookie to shoot.

“So, what’s the problem? Let them fight it out.”

“Problem is I get stuck in the middle like wadded up underwear.” He flashes teeth before turning to the other guys.

Coach is the only one in a bad mood. As fans flood the building, collecting the special “Beary Christmas” T-shirts Chloe had made for the thousands of spectators, there’s a decidedly celebratory vibe.

Jay nudges me. “If we win today, we’ll have as many wins as Vegas thought we’d have through all-star break.”

I know we've been beating expectations, but I try to tune out the noise like oddsmakers. Still, this is momentous.

But the antics don’t seem to hurt us. Everyone is in a festive spirit, the fans flowing into the seats singing carols that fill the stadium.

From the opening tip-off, we’re dialed in. Our opponents are too, and all of us throw everything we have into the game. It’s playoff-like energy against a strong Boston team, and we scrap the entire way.

During a timeout, we’re catching our breath when I see Miles looking up at the stands.

Halfway up the first section are Brooke and Nova and Mari.

It’s good to see my girl in the stands. I like knowing she’s there while I do what I was put on this earth to do.

All the way through the end of the second quarter, I focus on the fact that my girl is here.

I play my mind out.

The crowd hollers and swells, and anytime I look up to see her, she’s on her feet.

“Go, Clay!”

The voice hollers at halftime when we’re heading back to the locker room via the tunnel, and I look up into the crowd and see Kat and Daniel and Andy.

Andy bounces on his feet as he sees me noticing. Kat waves, and I grin.

Sneaky sister.

I didn’t expect her to surprise me like this.

Looking between her and Nova and my guys, I can’t remember the last time I was this happy, on the court or off it.

In the second half, we're even more dominant than in the first.

There are some tricky spots, but we couldn’t play any better.

When I look back up toward Nova, she’s smiling at me. I give it right back to her before I realize it’s not only the girls in those seats this time.

Harlan’s next to them, watching me steadily.

I shove down the discomfort and concentrate back on the huddle.

We get the win, and the building erupts in red and green and gold streamers. They don’t go with the Kodiaks' purple, but no one cares.

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