by Ariel Tachna
“You don’t have the game on yet?” Ethan asked when he came into the lounge a few minutes later.
“UK doesn’t play for another two hours,” Kit replied.
“Dude, it’s basketball.” He grabbed the remote and flipped the TV on. Kit looked down at the abstract he hadn’t managed to write the first word of and decided it could wait. He wasn’t making any progress on it anyway.
“Okay, fine.”
They watched the rest of the game, an LSU blowout over Missouri. By the time the announcers started warming the crowd up for the UK-Florida game, most of the rest of the fraternity had shown up in the lounge to cheer the Cats on.
A few minutes later, the sports announcers started going over the team lineups. When Linc’s picture popped up, Ethan elbowed Kit. “He looks better in person than in that mug shot.”
Kit shot Ethan a shit-eating grin. “Damn straight. Or, you know, bent.”
Ethan snorted. “That joke isn’t ever going to get old for you, is it?”
“Nope.” Kit popped the p as obnoxiously as he could.
Ethan said something under his breath that sounded suspiciously like “good.” Kit didn’t ask. He wasn’t sure he wanted to know.
Then the game started, and Kit forgot about everything but the action on the screen in front of him. Florida was playing well, but they were pretty obviously outmatched right from the start. Between them, Linc and Pete had given UK a fifteen-point lead by halftime.
“Here,” Logan said, pushing a can of beer into Kit’s hand. “Drink something or you’ll be too hoarse from shouting to call Linc tonight and congratulate him.”
Kit took a big gulp of the beer as the sportscasters droned on about details and stats from the first half. Kit didn’t need the numbers to tell him the Cats were on fire. He’d seen it for himself. Now if they could maintain it through the rest of this tournament and on to the NCAA championships, they’d have a tenth title to cap off his senior year.
“Thanks,” he told Logan when he’d drunk half the beer. “I definitely want to be able to talk to him later.”
Yes indeed. He had plans.
LINC stretched carefully during halftime of the semifinal game against Tennessee. He couldn’t put his finger on anything, but he’d felt off the whole first half, like his body and mind weren’t quite in sync. Coach hadn’t said anything, and they were up by six, so it could be all in his head, but he wasn’t taking chances. They had another game tomorrow, hopefully, and then the NCAA tournament not long after. He couldn’t afford to be at less than his best.
“You okay, Linc?” Pete asked.
“Yeah, just making sure I don’t pull anything. My hamstring’s a little tight,” Linc replied. He didn’t want to make it out to be more than it was, but he wasn’t going to lie to a teammate about his fitness to play either. They were counting on him to be where he was supposed to be when he was supposed to be there, and if anything might affect that, they needed to know.
“Good. If that changes, let someone know.”
Linc nodded as Coach waved for them all to head back to the court for the second half. Linc stretched one more time for good measure and jogged out with the others.
The Cats had possession of the ball to start the second half, so Linc tossed it to Pete and followed him down the court. Pete handed the ball off to Justin, one of the forwards, who got beneath the Tennessee guard’s reach to score. As Tennessee took possession, Linc pivoted toward UK’s goal and felt his knee twinge.
Damn it, he didn’t have time for this. Then the Tennessee offense was pressing them, and Linc was too busy to pay attention to his knee or anything but keeping them away from the basket.
Jayden stole the ball on a rebound and passed it to Linc. Clear of the Tennessee players, he raced for the basket and leaped to dunk. The ball went in, the crowd cheered, Linc’s feet hit the ground, and everything came to a screeching halt as Linc’s knee gave out beneath him.
Pete ran up and offered him a hand. “You okay?”
“Not sure yet,” Linc said with a grimace. He took Pete’s hand and pulled himself to standing, but his knee didn’t cooperate.
The ref called a time-out while Pete helped Linc over to the bench.
“Caleb, you’re in at center. Where does it hurt, Linc?” Coach asked.
“Along the inside of the knee.” Linc ran his finger along the area of greatest pain.
“Let’s get some ice on it,” one of the trainers said. “We’ll take care of him, Coach.”
Coach nodded and turned back to the game. Play resumed, but Linc’s attention was on the trainer and his knee.
The other trainer came up with an ice pack, which they wrapped around his knee. “How’s it look, Doc?” he asked.
“We’ll let the ice do its work, and then we’ll see,” the head trainer answered. “Best case, it’s a strain and we’ll ice it real well and you’ll be fine.”
“And worst case?” He had to ask even if he didn’t want the answer. This was his career on the line.
“We’re not to the point of worrying about that now,” the trainer replied. “You were able to put some weight on it, which means we aren’t at worst case.”
Linc huffed but didn’t argue. It wouldn’t do anything but make him more worried about what effect this might have on his future.
KIT let out a shout as Linc stumbled as he came down from the dunk shot. He didn’t think anything of it at first, but Linc didn’t get up right away. “Come on,” Kit murmured as the commentators theorized about why he wasn’t getting back up. “You can do it, Linc. Show them you’re fine.”
When Pete helped him to his feet a few moments later, though, it was obvious even through the TV that Linc wasn’t fine. Kit scrambled for his phone, even though he knew Linc’s would be in his locker. Text me as soon as you see this. I need to know you’re okay.
“What’s going on?” Logan asked, coming back into the lounge with more beer.
“Linc’s hurt,” Kit said. “He fell coming down from a dunk, and Pete had to help him off the court.”
“Shit.” Logan set Kit’s beer down in front of him. “You okay?”
“No,” Kit replied honestly. “He’s there and I’m not.” And that would be the case all the time if Linc played for the NBA. It was hard enough when Linc was healthy and rocking on the court, but to see him like this, his face drawn with pain as the trainer wrapped something around his knee, was excruciating.
“Hey, our trainers are top-notch. They’ll get him patched up in no time,” Logan said. “He’ll be back on the court kicking ass tomorrow. Just you watch.”
Kit appreciated the encouragement, but all he could see was Linc’s grimace.
The game continued with the Cats playing well enough to keep Tennessee at bay even without Linc, but each time there was a pause in play, the sportscasters would go back to speculating on Linc’s injury. They showed an image of him being helped into the locker room by the trainers but nothing about him leaving the arena. Kit took that as good news. They hadn’t needed to call an ambulance.
When the final buzzer rang, with the Cats up by two points, Kit searched the footage to see if Linc would come back out to celebrate with them, but he couldn’t see him anywhere.
His phone pinged and he lunged for it.
I’m okay. The trainers have me all iced down, but they don’t think I tore anything. We’ll see how it feels tonight, but they think I can play tomorrow if I wear a knee brace. Nothing to worry about.
I’ll worry if I want to, Kit texted back. Just take care of yourself, even if that means not playing tomorrow. I don’t want you hurting.
It took Linc so long to reply that Kit wondered if he’d said the wrong thing.
Sorry, Coach came in to check on me. He said the same thing. I won’t play if it hurts. Promise. Call me later?
Relief flooded Kit. He hadn’t overstepped. What time?
Give me two hours or so to get through here and get back to the hotel.
Kit sent a thumbs-up emoji rather than the heart he wanted to send and set an alarm on his phone so he wouldn’t lose track of time.
“IT should be an exciting game today,” the commentator announced as Kit sat in front of the TV at Uncle Thane’s house, beer in hand. “Kentucky was considered a shoo-in for the championship, but after Joyner’s injury yesterday in the SEC semifinals against Tennessee, it may be a closer game than expected.”
Kit winced at the speculation. He’d talked to Linc last night, and he’d insisted he was fine and would be able to play today, but that didn’t make Kit less worried. Even if he could play, would he be at his best? Would he reinjure his knee and make it harder to play in the NCAA tournament? He loved basketball. A serious injury could end his career before it ever started. As much as Kit didn’t want to think about Linc leaving, a blow like that would be heart-rending.
“You’re right, Walt,” the other commentator said. “We haven’t heard an official announcement about whether Joyner will play today, and the Kentucky team is a strong contender even without him, but it gives Auburn a chance they couldn’t have expected.”
“Bullshit,” Kit muttered as Blake and Thane joined him.
“What nonsense are they spouting now?” Blake asked.
“That the possibility of Linc not playing today gives Auburn a chance at winning,” Kit said. “First of all, Linc told me he’d be able to play, and second, Auburn isn’t good enough to beat us even if he didn’t.”
“Don’t get cocky,” Thane warned. “You know how quickly a game can turn.”
Kit grumbled a little more.
“Joyner had previously been considered the likely first pick for the NBA draft in June, but if he has to sit out part or all of the NCAA tournament, that could change rapidly.”
“Oh for fuck’s sake.” Kit grabbed the remote and hit Mute. “They don’t even know if he’s playing today. Why are they going on and on about it?”
“Because he’s the biggest name in college basketball right now,” Blake said. “They have to talk about something.”
“Well, I don’t have to listen.”
“I’m gonna get another beer. You want anything from the kitchen?” Thane asked. Blake and Kit both shook their heads.
“What’s really bothering you?” Blake asked when they were alone.
“I hate it that he’s hurt. And if that isn’t enough, he’s down in New Orleans where the best I can do is skype with him. At least if he were here, I could see him and make sure he’s okay or take care of him if he isn’t.”
“Distance makes things hard,” Blake said with a nod. “Even if it’s just a temporary distance. It’s one of the reasons Thane likes to come with me to the professional conferences I attend. It’s a vacation for him, but more importantly, it means he doesn’t have to worry about me, off wherever the conference is.”
“Does it ever bother you?” Kit asked.
“Does what bother me?”
“Him wanting to come with you on all your trips.”
Blake pursed his lips. “No, because he’s coming to be with me, not because he thinks I can’t handle it on my own. If he were trying to control me or if I thought he worried I’d do something dangerous or stupid, that would be different, but that’s not why he comes. Are you thinking about traveling with Linc down the road?”
“I don’t know how realistic that is. I mean, I’ll only have so much time off. I think I’d rather save it for a time we could go somewhere together without the stress of games. Not that there’s any guarantee we’ll still be together if he gets drafted. I mean, the closest place he could end up is Indianapolis, but he could as easily end up somewhere like Los Angeles.”
“With your résumé, you could go anywhere you wanted for work,” Blake said.
He could, but he wasn’t ready to face that option. Choosing between Linc and his family was no choice at all. “I suppose. I’ve just never thought about living anywhere but here.”
“It’s a big world out there. You shouldn’t limit yourself to Lexington.”
“I know, but everyone I care about is here. Why would I go anywhere else?”
“Because someone you care about might not be here in a few months,” Blake said.
Kit shrugged, uncomfortable even thinking about it, and changed the subject. “When’s your next trip?”
“Tuesday. We’re going to San Francisco for an educators’ conference. The conference ends Friday evening, but we’ll stay for the weekend and come home on Monday,” Blake said. “Sunday dinner will be at Brian’s next week, but we’ll miss it.”
“Are you two done with your soul baring? Tip-off is in two minutes,” Thane said as he stuck his head through the doorway.
“Yes, we’re done,” Blake said. “Kit, turn the sound back up so we can watch Linc prove them all wrong.”
Kit couldn’t help but smile at Blake’s faith in Linc. Maybe it was only for Kit’s benefit, but he’d take it all the same.
“YOU sure you’re up for this?” Pete asked as they got ready for the Auburn game.
“I’m a little stiff, but not enough to keep me from playing,” Linc replied. “And that’s not me. The trainers said it.”
“It’s your call, man. Just remember we need you more in the NCAA than we do today. If it starts bothering you, ask Coach to switch you out.”
“I will,” Linc said, and he would, but he didn’t want to miss this game if he could help it. He jogged confidently out onto the court when his name was called to gratifyingly loud cheers from the crowd. If only Kit were here, it would be perfect. As it was, he knew Kit was watching at home, and that would be enough.
The game started slowly, each team feeling out the other’s defenses. They’d played each other during the regular season, but every game was different. They were on their third game in as many days, and Linc, who usually pushed the Cats into high gear, was holding back until he saw how his knee was doing.
The teams were evenly matched enough to keep the score low at halftime, but when Coach turned to him during their halftime meeting and asked how his knee was doing, Linc was able to reply and report, “No pain, Coach. I’m being careful, not taking many jump shots, but it’s holding up fine.”
“Good to hear. Pete, Jayden, Marcus, Cameron, take it up a notch. You’re used to taking your cues from him. Now it’s time for you to give the cues instead. You’re making them work for every basket they get, but without Linc pushing you, you’re not working as hard for your baskets as you usually do.”
Linc’s teammates nodded, but Linc wouldn’t leave it all to them. He could pick up the pace too.
The team took Coach’s words to heart, and they had an explosive start to the second half, pulling ahead by ten points before giving up another basket to Auburn. Then Jayden got fouled. As they lined up for the free throw, Pete elbowed Linc. “Don’t overdo it. Let the rest of us pull our weight too.”
Damn. Caught in the act. “I won’t. But I’m not gonna let us lose either.”
Pete rolled his eyes at Linc as Jayden hit the first free throw. When he made the second one, an Auburn player grabbed the ball, which Linc promptly stole and shot to score another basket. “Show off,” Pete shouted as they moved back down the court to defend against Auburn’s next attempt.
Linc just grinned and focused on doing what he did best.
Winning basketball games.
STILL high on the 88–73 victory, Linc called Kit as soon as he could get away from the reporters. He wanted to celebrate with him, but not where anyone public could hear.
“Hi,” Kit said after the first ring. “Congratulations! SEC champions three years in a row!”
“Thanks,” Linc said, not bothering to hide his exultant grin now that he was alone. “It was a team effort.” He gave the response automatically, still in press-conference mode after the game, but inside he was floating on air. Three years in a row, three SEC championships to his name, and best of all, his knee had held up all through the game
. By the end he hadn’t even been playing it safe.
“Hey, it’s me you’re talking to, not the press. You don’t have to deflect like you usually do.”
“It’s not deflecting. It really is a team effort. However good I am, I couldn’t win without a solid team by my side.” Today had driven that home to Linc like never before. He hadn’t been playing his hardest because he was worried about possibly reinjuring his knee, but his team had stepped up and made the win happen anyway.
“I know that,” Kit said. “I also know you’re team captain for a reason. They followed you to victory.”
“Either way, it’s one more thing to increase interest with the NBA scouts,” Linc said. “If we do well in the national tournament, my chances will be even better.”
“That’s good.” Kit’s voice sounded odd to Linc.
“Is everything okay?”
“Of course,” Kit replied quickly. Too quickly? “I can’t wait to see you.”
“Joyner, get off the phone and come celebrate with us.”
“I have to go,” Linc said. “The guys won’t let me get out of celebrating with them this time.”
“Of course,” Kit said. “I’ll see you when you get back.”
Linc bit back the “I love you” that hovered on the tip of his tongue. When they got home, he’d say it, but not over the phone when he couldn’t see Kit’s reaction. Not the first time.
“See you soon,” he said instead before ending the call and joining the rest of the team to celebrate.
KIT greeted Linc at the door of his uncles’ house with a broad grin.
“Why’re we meeting here?” Linc asked as he stepped inside.
“Shoes off, please,” Kit said. When Linc bent to untie his shoes, Kit continued, “My uncles are out of town until Monday. I thought we could hang out here so we wouldn’t have to worry about Phillip or Ephah interrupting us. Let me tell you, those walls aren’t very thick. I know far more about my brother’s sex life than I ever thought I’d know.”