Page 22 of Rookie Season
“Nice try. You’re not getting out of it, Clay.”
“How’s this?” I ask, deadpan.
“That looks like animal poop.”
“So that’s a no.”
She shakes her head.
I find a sprig of berries. “Better?”
Her eyes light up. “That’s perfect!” She takes it and twirls it in her fuzzy purple mittens. “Nothing’s touched them. Inside are the next generation of bushes and trees. It’s amazing what nature can produce.”
She sighs as she drops the stick of berries into her basket. I sense her mood shift to thoughtful as if it’s happening inside me.
Before her, all I could think about was my life, my career, my legacy. Ask any sports journalist and I’m among the best who ever played.
But they don’t talk about you after you stop setting foot on that court.
Sure, you can buy a team, take on a GM role, find a way to steal a corner of the spotlight or stay in the league.
I’m nearing retirement and have decided that’s not what I want. I’m not about to trade a long-ass work week in a jersey for the same one in a suit.
I glance at the gray sky as snow falls.
Nova and I got married a year ago, and we’ve been working on our own project.
She wants kids. I wasn’t sure I did, not before her. Now, I feel as though I have something to contribute.
We’ve been trying for a few months, and it hasn’t happened yet. Still, as much as it would be a rush to know that she’s pregnant, she’s enough for me exactly the way she is.
“You good, Pink?” I step closer, nudging her small boots with my big ones.
“Yeah.” She peers into her basket, assessing. “What’s happening with Ryan and Sierra?”
“What do you mean?”
She nods toward the cabin. “He has a thing for her. Does he give off any signals?”
I shake my head. “I dunno, Pink. We run up and down a court. I don’t ask him about his star sign or who he has a crush on.”
“Maybe the team would be even closer if you did.”
“We’re plenty close. He’s my rookie and we won a championship together.” I laugh, plucking the basket from her hands. “Besides, you’re so tight with the bartender, how come you don’t know?”
Nova shoots me a look before continuing along the treeline, inspecting the ground for anything else that inspires her. “She hasn’t dated anyone that I know of. She’s always working. And probably tired of getting hit on.”
“Wait. So, you think my rookie isn’t good enough for her?” I’m not offended, but I am ready to defend my teammate.
Nova laughs, a tinkling music that lights me up. “Jury’s still out.”
There’s a knocking sound behind us. I swivel and inspect the treeline.
“What’s that?” Nova asks.
I pause. “Maybe whatever crapped in the woods.”
“Are there bears around here?”
