Page 101 of Shot Taker

“Because I own forty-nine percent of this bar.”

Harlan stares me down for a minute before he shifts out of his seat and wraps his scarf around his neck, tucking it into his wool coat. “You’re full of surprises.”

I rise too and reach for my coat. “Thank fuck. I’d hate to be predictable.”

He considers, then nods. “LA will be disappointed to hear they won’t be getting a veteran all-star for their post-season lineup. I’ll talk to James and confirm with you.”

The tension in me releases.

Another week and the trade talk will be dead. Nova will know I’m here for the long haul.

* * *

“You realize this is called all-starbreakfor a reason?” Jay comments from across the court as he passes to Rookie in practice.

Normally, most of the guys who weren’t invited to the all-star game would spend a few days relaxing with friends and family afterward.

Today, I called in a favor and grabbed us the college gym.

“You know who lays on a beach in February? Retirees,” I reply.

Rookie grunts as he cuts through the defenders and goes in for the dunk. Atlas stops him, sending him to the floor. Rookie falls on his back, and I’m over the court, extending a hand.

“Layup,” he says as he grabs it, shaking his head because he doubts his decision.

“No. You had it. That was a blocking foul.” I ignore Atlas’s protest. “Take it.”

Rookie nods. I pull him up and clap him on the shoulder.

The entire team was supposed to be back for the gala, but I asked them to come a day early to practice. In fact, this is an unscheduled practice. We’re at this gym because I don’t want anyone knowing what we're doing. None of the coaching staff is here. Only the players. It’s off the books. I want a man-to-man talk with the roster.

“Let’s keep it going. I gotta be home in an hour,” I say.

“Your girl waiting on you with spread… arms?” Atlas amends at my look.

“Nah, I’m moving my trophies and shit out so Nova can move in.”

Miles shakes his head. “Still think she’ll wake up and realize her mistake.”

“It’s not a mistake. She’s mine and I’m hers.”

They all stare at me.

“Now get back to work.”

We finish running the drills. I jump in to get the reps and prove I’m not only good for talking.

After, I gather the team around a whiteboard. “Next week, we’re going to LA. Back-to-back. One guess what our goal is.”

“Get Kim Kardashian to sign my dick?” Rookie volunteers.

I grab a marker.

“Wow, he’s really lost his mind,” Atlas mutters to Jayden.

I write four numbers on the board, a hyphen separating the first two and second two. “You know what this is?”

“Our record.”

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