Page 262 of The Locker Room

---

“Swimming, where the water"s so blue it feels like flying,” Xander

mumbled, leaning some more into Chris"s touch. “Wanna go fly with

me, Christian?”

“Yeah. Yeah. Anywhere you want, we"ll go flying.”

It had been on that dream, and Chris"s quiet words, that Xander had

fallen asleep. He hadn"t wanted to think about the interview, or how the

whole world would be watching it. He just wanted to think about flying,

alone with Chris.

But now, if the family was there, waiting for him, it was time to go

see how he looked to the rest of the world.

Chris was in the wheelchair, so they could sit side by side, and

Xander flopped next to him on the couch gratefully. Chris reached for

his hand automatically and squeezed—Xander really didn"t want to

watch this, not even a little bit at all.

The show started with some clips of the playoff series with New

York, showcasing Xander doing his thing. Barbara"s narration came up,

and Xander cringed.

228 Amy Lane

“The whole world watched what was being called a miracle series

of basketball. Sacramento"s five-year rise to the top of the NBA from the

sub-basement floor, has been credited to two things—Coach Strauss

Wallick, and the unbeatable team of Christian Edwards and Xander

Karcek—”

“Oh, God,” Chris muttered, as Barbara detailed their high school

and college careers briefly, complete with clips and photos, “I had no

idea she"d dredge this shit up.”

“Jesus,” Xander murmured, holding Chris"s hand even tighter.

“Don"t we look young….”

“You were young,” Andi said. She was sitting on the love seat,

across from them, but her eyes were still glued to the screen. “You

---