Page 6 of Home Town Advantage
The middle-aged commissioner leans toward the microphone in her orange pantsuit. “With the first pick in the WNBA draft, the Philadelphia Beavers select Sullivan O’Shea, guard from the University of Montana.”
It’s the moment I’ve waited for my entire life. The one I’ve dreamed of since my brother gave me my first basketball at two years old. It’s supposed to be the best moment of my life. I can feel my parents both squeezing my hands in happiness, but I can’t help that Finn’s face flashes through my mind. He should be sitting with us right now, taking it all in. I certainly wouldn’t be here without him. Why do I get to realize my dream when he never got to realize his?
I silently tell him that I love him before standing to a loud sea of cheers with a huge smile on my face. I accept tearful hugs from my parents as what feels like a million flashes go off in my face, coming from all angles.
Making my way to the podium, I shake the commissioner’s hand before she holds up the first-ever jersey in Philly Beavers franchise history. It’s got my name and number, twenty-two, on the back.
Through high school, I was number nineteen after my childhood crush, Vance McCaffrey, but I took my brother’s number in college and plan to continue that. Nineteen is the last number on the planet I want to wear now.
The owner of the Beavers walks onto the stage to join us for a series of photos. Her name is Reagan Daulton. She’s a billionaire businesswoman. She brought me to Philly recently to show me around town. Much to my surprise, I quickly learned she’s very down-to-earth. In fact, she’s a riot. Only in her mid-thirties with blonde-haired, blue-eyed model good looks, she’s completely self-made and is probably one of the most impressive women I’ve ever met.
In a Beaver’s pink pantsuit, she offers me a genuine smile and a big hug before holding my hand in the air for all the photographers to get their fill.
I’m immediately whisked backstage, where my new agent, Tanner Montgomery, is waiting for us. He’s an attractive man in his forties with dark hair and a beard that are both a little gray.
He offers me a warm embrace. “Congrats, Sulley. It’s a big day. Take it all in. Very few athletes get to live their dreams like this.” He pulls back and winks at Reagan. “Better open up your checkbook. You just got yourself the biggest star on the planet.”
Reagan lets out a laugh and jokes, “We’ll see about that, Montgomery.” She then turns to me. “We’ve signed a few veterans from other teams and will obviously draft a few more players today. I’m sure you’re having a celebratory dinner with your family. Do you have time to meet a handful of your new teammates later tonight? Let’s say nine o’clock? I’ll text you the location.”
I nod. “Sure. I can’t wait to meet them. Thank you for the opportunity. I won’t let you down.”
It’s justabout nine when I walk into the address Reagan gave me. Much to my surprise, it’s a regular New York City pub. I like that she chose this instead of a fancy place. I feel more comfortable here.
The hostess tells me that a private room has been reserved for us in the back. I take a few deep breaths to calm myself as I make my way through the restaurant.
I’m incredibly nervous for tonight. It’s going to be a mix of women who I’ve likely never met before. I went to a college close to home. I’m moving to a new, big city, far from my hometown. I haven’t had to make new friends since preschool, though I’ve never been one to have many female friends. It’s all so overwhelming.
Reagan welcomes me and introduces me to each of the four other women sitting there. My new teammates. As a huge fan of the game, of course I know who they all are, but the only onewho I’ve previously spoken to is Palmer Payne. She was drafted by the Beavers in the second round today. She’s extremely tall and curvy, with fair skin, wavy brown hair and violet-tinted eyes always covered with glasses. She played at Texas University. They were big rivals of ours, as we were often the final two teams left standing in the NCAA Tournament.
I know from her television interviews that she’s a huge introvert, so I do my best to greet her warmly. Smiling, I say, “I’m so happy you’re finally on my team and I don’t have to playagainstyou anymore.”
My words seem to put her at ease. She visibly relaxes as she fixes her glasses and nods in agreement. “I was thinking the exact same thing.”
The other three women sitting at the table have been in the league for years. As a new team, the Beavers were given the opportunity to steal one player from every team in the league. Teams were allowed to protect five players from their rosters, but any other player from each team was fair game.
I first notice Shay Walker, who was previously with the LA team. She’s been in the league for eight or nine years. She has mocha-colored skin, dark hair, and big brown eyes. Having a veteran power forward like her will be invaluable.
I then notice Layla Ladrón. Layla has been a guard in the league for five or six years. Her husband plays for the Philly Camels. It makes sense that she’d be picked up by the Beavers, reuniting her with her husband. She’s an attractive Latina woman with brown hair and eyes. I think she recently had a baby.
Finally, I see Kennedy Jeffries, also known as the black widow of women’s basketball. She was a senior in college during my freshman year. We played against her team twice. She has a reputation for having a ton of edge both on and off the court. She’s beautiful, with light skin, jet black hair, and green eyes, but rarely, if ever, is she seen with a smile. For the past three years, she’s played for the pro team out of New York Cityand has been suspended a handful of times for dirty play. I suppose it’s better to have her on our team than to have to play against her. I suffered a few hard elbows from her during those games my freshman year.
After we place our drink orders, Reagan clears her throat. “Ladies, thanks for being here. I’m truly excited to have you all on the first team of this new franchise.”
With a mischievous smirk, Kennedy asks, “Why did you name the team the Beavers? Are you into beavers like Shay?”
Shay rolls her eyes and gives Kennedy the middle finger. I guess there’s no love lost between those two.
Without an ounce of shame, Reagan responds, “Personally, I’m more into snakes; that’s why I named the softball team the Anacondas.”
Reagan started a new professional softball team in Philadelphia last year, the Philly Anacondas. When I visited recently, I met a handful of the players. They were incredibly welcoming, and I hope we can become friends when I move to town.
She continues, “But if you’re into beavers, then power to you. I think beavers pair nicely with anacondas, but beavers pair well together too. Whatever tickles your oyster or creams your Twinkie is fine by me.”
Palmer practically chokes on her drink while the rest of us can’t help but laugh. It kind of breaks the palpable tension in the room.
Reagan smiles through it all, completely unruffled by Kennedy’s clear attempt to rock the boat. “As I was saying, I’m excited to have you all. I will be publicly naming the head coach tomorrow, but I trust I can confide in all of you that it’s Lakshmi Ganjam.”
We all perk up at that bit of news. Lakshmi Ganjam is one of the biggest names in basketball. A legend. She coached the Olympic team to a gold medal last year.
