Page 85 of Definitely Not a Thing
The workouts, the drills, the shooting practices, the mock two-on-two scrimmages…shit.I guess I was glad I hadn’t been just sitting around on my ass during my suspension, but for the strain training camp was putting on me, for the effort I was having to put into something that used to feel effortless… thatfeltlike exactly what I’d been doing.
My legs may as well have been on somebody else’s body for as much control I had over them as I collapsed onto a bench in the locker room, spent after a round of suicide drills.
“You’re halfway through hell week,” one of the trainers gleefully announced as he walked around handing out protein shakes. I couldn’t even find the energy for a pissy look, let alone a snide remark, so I just took my shake and sat back to drain it with the provided straw while sweat dripped off me.
“Hell”week might be understating it, honestly.
Around me, rookies and other vets were in various states of exhaustion were going through the ritual – protein shake, shower, recovery if needed, and then finally home.
Just to be up at six to do the whole thing over again the next day.
At least no one would be able to claim a lack of readiness when it was time to get on the plane for the first game of the season in whatfeltlike just a few days. We hadn’t won the fuck of the draw with that one, on multiple fronts – we were headed to Tennessee to play the Trojans, which wasneveran easy game.
Assuming I actually got to play.
So far… I felt like my chances were looking good.
Thierry plopped down on the bench next to me with a groan, stretching his legs. “Cross… I thought you were fucking around when you said you’d been staying in shape. I feel bad for doubting you.”
“Nigga… no you don’t” I chuckled, almost choking on my shake. “Do you think I didn’t hear you telling coach I didn’t look tired?”
“Just trying to give you more opportunities to prove yourself.”
“More favors is the last thing his ass needs,” Jay muttered as he passed by, and it took everything in me to simply ignore that shit – I didn’t need whatever drama he was on.
Especially since he’d been trying me all week, presumably still salty about the situation at the mixer between Amelia and his guests.
Ineededmy coaches to see I was capable of controlling myself.
“Man shut yo’ bitch ass up,” Thierry quipped – clearly uninterested in proving his self control.
He was aknowncrash-out, but also arguably one of the best centers in the league.
He had that kind of leverage.
“Kids – do I have to put somebody in timeout?” Kevion said as he stepped into the are, with a particularly pointed look at Jay, who was the one starting shit.
Jay just grunted, and went back to minding his own fucking business as Kevion approached where Thierry and I were sitting.
“This team captain looking ass nigga,” Thierry chuckled. “It’s just training camp, relax.”
“It’s onlyjustto you cause you play too damn much,” Kevion countered. “Cross out here fighting for his life and you talking aboutjusttraining camp.”
Thierry scoffed. “He’s been hooping his ass off. You know there ain’t shit to worry about. Come on,” he ribbed, sitting up. “I know Coach been in your ear. Dream team back together, or…?”
Instead of answering, Kevion just gave him a look, which…hmmm.
Kinda felt like an answer.
Kev was a pretty straight shooter, and if he knew something like that was the opposite of true, he would – tactfully -- correct it.
Instead… he was straight-faced now.
Unnaturallyso.
Yeah.
There had definitely been talks.
