Page 10 of Zone
Fonz is right. We accomplished a lot this year, but I wanted it all. I wanted to come out swinging and take us allthe way to the top, like that Cincinnati kid did a few years ago.
Much like that guy, I haven’t had great coverage either. I suppose I should be glad I also haven’t sustained a career-ending injury, but this nonstop criticism from the gallery is getting me down.
Kimmie
Are you done yet? You’re needed in LA for a cousin emergency.
Frowning at the text from my big sister in Newhope, I momentarily forget my frustration on the field. Los Angeles is where the hockey players in the Bradford line have gone, and where my best cousin, my wingman, and the keeper of all my secrets Maverick Murphy is living.
He’s a few years older than me, so he’s had more time to get on billboards. I’ll catch up with him, though.
Knox
What kind of emergency?
Kimmie
Maverick has a new house guest, and he’s having trouble forming sentences.
I snort a laugh, knowing exactly what that means.
Knox
Dove is living with Mav? How did that happen?
My cocky, star-center cousin might be the shit in LA, but he loses his cool any time our childhood friend Dove Rhodes is around. How anyone could pine so long for a girl without making it happen is beyond me.
Kimmie
As usual, he’s friend-zoning himself. You need to get out there and give him a push. No, make that a shove. A big, hard shove, or we’ll never unite this family.
Knox
IDK, I’ve always thought Dove was pretty hot. If Mav can’t ruin the friendship, maybe I’ll take a shot…
Kimmie
I’m going to need you to focus.
I actually laugh out loud at her reply. Kim knows me better than that, although it’s not a bad idea.
Jerking Mav’s chain is one of my all-time favorite pastimes, and it’s possible flirting with Dove might just be theshovemy sister is requesting. I can see the smoke coming out of his ears already, and it has me laughing and forgetting my football frustrations.
Knox
Leave it to me.
Kimmie
Thx… Love you, lil B. You’ll get your ring next year, don’t worry.
All the shit, all the annoying, humiliating, fucking shit that’s been burning up my insides melts away at those few words.
A smile curls my lips and I wipe a hand across my mouth. Kimmie was nine years old when I was born, and my earliest memories are of her smiling face holding out her hands to me and telling me I could do it.
I took my first steps into her arms. I said my first words to her big brown eyes and exaggerated pronunciations. She would cheer and hug me and bounce me around on her hip.
I’m a grown-ass man, but I won’t lie, when my big sister says I can do it, I believe her.
