Homecourt Advantage

by Rita Ewing

  “That’s not what this meeting is about?” Rick asked, slightly leaning forward.

  “Rick, although you do have a tendency to go off the deep end at times, that’s the least of your problems,” Coach said as he pushed the envelopes toward Rick.

  Rick knew what they were as soon as he saw them. He recognized the Caesar’s Palace, Taj Mahal, and MGM Grand hotel and casino emblems all too well. He had been throwing away the notices that were sent to his post office box for the past several months.

  “And how did you get these?” Rick asked.

  “How long did you think you could ignore almost a million dollars worth of debt before they tracked you down at your very public place of employment?” Coach said, ignoring his question.

  Rick picked up the envelopes and looked at the name typed on the front of them.

  “If I’m not mistaken, these are addressed to Rick Belleville. You had no business opening them.”

  “And you have no business jeopardizing the reputation of this team!”

  “What I do when I’m not working is my business, not yours or this team’s,” Rick said, grabbing the envelopes and stuffing them into his sweat-suit pocket.

  “In case you’ve been too busy gambling to notice, this team is on the verge of being sold. I, for one, don’t want that to happen, and I’m pretty sure your teammates don’t want that either.”

  “I don’t want that to happen either, but that has nothing to do with what I do in my spare time. I’m a grown man,” Rick indignantly said.

  “Well then, act like it and take responsibility for your debts. The last thing this team needs right now is a New York Post headline claiming that you’re dodging loan sharks.”

  “They’re not loan sharks, they’re reputable casinos,” Rick shot back.

  “Who’s being naive here? Who do you think runs these casinos, and who do you think they’re going to send out to muscle you into giving them their money?”

  “Like I said, Coach, this is my—” Rick started.

  “No, like I said, you set up whatever payment plan you need to get them off your back immediately. And from this point on, all casinos are off-limits to you. I don’t want to take a chance of you even being seen inside of one.”

  “Do I look like my name is Michael Brown? You think you my daddy now too?” Rick said, feigning laughter.

  “Not even close. But I don’t want the team hurt, and I’ll do whatever is necessary to make sure that doesn’t happen.”

  “Is that it?” Rick said, standing up.

  “Sit down. I’m not finished talking to you.”

  “I’m fine standing.”

  “Have it your way. Handle your affairs and do it expediently and quietly. I don’t want this in the papers.”

  “Finished?” Rick said, turning toward the door.

  “One more thing. When you embarrass this team, you embarrass me … and that is something I will never tolerate. Now I’m finished. Close the door on your way out.”

  Rick was wrong about Mitchell. He did have the ability to intimidate him. Rick was fuming as he closed the door and walked down the hall toward his locker, thinking about what a self-centered bastard Coach was. Their entire conversation had nothing to do with the team. Mitchell was concerned about his own ass. He did not want to appear less than perfect to the public. Ultimately Coach was not concerned about how the Flyers looked or Rick’s gambling. He only cared about his pristine reputation and the next magazine cover he would adorn.

  Chapter 18

  Despite her somber mood, Casey could not suppress a grin watching Brent gyrate his shoulders while driving his Bentley. He was grooving to 50 Cent’s song “P.I.M.P.” Brent may have been a world-class athlete, but a dancer, he was not. Casey and Brent headed north along the Palisades Parkway toward the DuMichelle Antique House for its monthly auction. The trip on this highway was a monthly outing for them that they had missed for the last couple of months. They used to take lunches with them when the weather permitted and stop at one of the scenic picnic areas to eat, but as if by mutual, unstated agreement, they skipped that ritual this time. Casey realized that there was no reason for her to feel guilty, but that awful culprit was creeping up on her as she contemplated broaching the topic of Brent’s daughter with him. He was in such high spirits and the day was so beautiful, she didn’t want to ruin it even though she had every right in the world to be angry with him. She alsothought about Alexis’s admonitions about letting the guys have their concentration. But ever since the play-offs had begun, it had become increasingly difficult for Casey to hold her tongue.

  “Baby, I really think we have a chance to do it this year.” Brent beamed as he caressed Casey’s thigh through her blue jeans.

  “Really?” Casey unenthusiastically said.

  “Yeah. One round down and three to go. It’s gonna be tough, but when we get by Chicago, that championship ring is as good as ours!”

  “I hope you guys do it this year,” Casey said, watching the insects smash against the windshield.

  “I know you do, baby. You’ve always been so supportive, even when your schedule has been hectic. I appreciate that, more than you’ll ever know,” Brent said, grasping Casey’s hand and bringing it to his lips.

  Now he was making it extra hard on her. Why did he have to be so sweet to her when she wanted to curse him out? Casey kept quiet and continued looking straight ahead.

  During these outings in Brent’s automobile with its tinted windows, they had their rare opportunities to speak to one another undisturbed by fans, phones, or television noise. This was the place they conducted most of the family and household “business.”

  “Oh, I forgot to tell you, Brent Junior called before you got back from Philadelphia,” Casey said.

  “What was he talking about?”

  “Nothing much. He had just finished watching the game and he was excited that you all were going to advance to the next round.”

  “Oh, he probably wants to come to town when the Heat series begins. I think that boy likes to see Brian Grant play more than his own father. Well, I guess that means we need to check on some flights for him.” Brent laughed as he sped along.

  “You mean you want me to check on some flights?”

  “Would you mind, baby?” Brent said, squeezing Casey’s thigh.

  “No, I wouldn’t mind, but are you going to be able to spend any time with him when he comes?”

  “What’s that supposed to mean? I always spend time with him,” Brent said.

  “When you’re not at practice or at a meeting with Jake or Nike orat a game or out to dinner with a sponsor or taking a pregame nap,” Casey said, exasperated.

  “Where’s all this coming from? I thought we were going to have a nice pleasant afternoon together.”

  “Oh, I guess it’s not pleasant when I bring up your parental responsibilities. You’re going to expect me to change my schedule to accommodate Brent Junior when he comes to town.”

  “No, I’m not. It’s been a long time since I asked you to rearrange your schedule for him or me. Casey, you know that’s an old issue that we resolved. What’s this really about?”

  “Well, it doesn’t seem like that long ago to me,” Casey said, crossing her arms.

  “I’ll tell you how long ago it was. It was at least three years ago, but now that we’re on the subject, what’s so damn wrong with compromising? You’re so stubborn sometimes, you forget that compromise is what marriage is about.”

  Casey spun her head around so fast to look at Brent, she thought she was going to get a crook in her neck.

  “Don’t you dare tell me what marriage is all about. You don’t have that right and you don’t have the slightest idea what marriage is about,” Casey spat out.

  “Is this discussion about Brent Junior or our marriage?” Brent said seriously as he turned down the car stereo.

  “Well, now that you mention it, how about trust in a marriage? It’s obviously lacking in ours.”


  “Casey, what are you talking about now? Why are you bringing up old issues? It’s counterproductive. I thought we had moved beyond that.”

  “Don’t talk to me in that condescending, holier-than-thou tone! Obviously it doesn’t seem to be so past to me,” Casey said.

  “Look, I’ve tried to be patient with you, but you won’t let the past go and—” Brent started.

  “No, I think it’s you who can’t let the past go.”

  “What’s that supposed to mean? I … I’ve been faithful to you since all that stuff happened.”

  “You haven’t been honest with me.”

  “Casey, what have I done now?” Brent pleaded.

  “You tell me,” Casey icily said.

  “What is this, some sort of trick question women use to get their husbands to admit their sins?”

  “If they have something to admit, yes,” Casey countered.

  “Well, try again, because my slate is clean.”

  “Brent, I’m going to give you a chance to come clean with me. Are you being honest with me about every single thing in our relationship? Don’t lie to me, Brent. I mean it.”

  Silence. The car was in complete silence. It stung Casey’s ears. The only noise came from the wind whipping against the vehicle as they turned onto 87 north. A part of her wondered if she wasn’t ready to hear what he had to say, but still, she had to know the truth.

  “Casey, why do we have to go through this? Can’t we just—”

  “Brent, I’m going to ask you one more time, and if you lie to me, I’m finished. This marriage cannot take the strain of one more filthy fucking lie, Now, talk to me, and I want nothing but truth coming out of your lips,” Casey said as her eyes welled up with unshed tears.

  Brent pulled the car into one of the rest stops along the highway. The heat of the sun was beating down on Casey through the front window. Parking the car, he took a deep breath and turned toward Casey.

  “It’s so bad you had to pull off the road, huh?” Casey said, shaking her head in disbelief.

  Brent reached for Casey’s hands, but she pulled away, her back smashed against the door and her head rubbing against the passenger window. Casey shook her head as she looked at Brent.

  “Casey, I’ve been corresponding with my daughter.”

  “Define ‘corresponding.’ ”

  “I’ve spoken with Nikki and I’ve arranged for her and Brent Junior to meet and …” He faltered.

  “And what, Brent? What else did you arrange? Don’t get silent on me, damn it!”

  “I arranged to visit with Nikki.”

  “Where? How many times?”

  “On the road. On a few occasions.”

  “Oh, on a few occasions that you forgot to mention to me. Kind oflike when you hooked up with her mother in the first place. And did Nikki’s mama bring her to meet you?” Casey said, barely able to process that she was going through this with Brent again.

  “Yes, she did.”

  “Oh, I see, and I suppose the two of you had a lovely little reunion. How cozy. Did you ever plan on telling me about your relationship with your daughter and your renewed relationship with her mother?”

  “There’s no relationship with me and Nikki’s mother. I was going to tell you eventually, but …”

  “But what? Do you have any idea how humiliating it was to have to hear about this from your coach’s wife? I must look like a damn fool to them. How many other people know?”

  “Casey, I’m sorry you had to find out like this!”

  “I didn’t have to find out like this; you’re the one who chose not to tell me.”

  “The reason I didn’t tell you is because I knew how you’d react, unreasonable, just like you’re acting now.”

  “Tell me something, Brent. How am I supposed to react? Pardon me for not exercising the proper etiquette. What was I thinking? Silly me. ‘Oh, congratulations on the birth of your daughter! Isn’t parenthood wonderful! I’m so glad that the two of you are getting an opportunity to spend time together. How’s your wife holding up after the birth? Oops. I mean your mistress. I forgot, your wife had a miscarriage just about the time that silly paternity suit came about. I’m sorry, but I offer my congratulations just the same. And I’m so happy that you’re bonding with your child.’ “ Casey screamed, banging the dashboard with her fist. “Is that a more appropriate reaction, Brent?”

  “Casey, you’re blowing this way out of proportion. Would you please calm down and give me a moment to speak?”

  “I’m blowing this out of proportion?” she yelled, outraged.

  “Actually, I think you are. You’re being selfish about it. Whether you like it or not, Nikki is my child. There’s nothing I can do about that now.”

  “I think I have a right to be selfish about my husband when it comes to who he’s sleeping with.”

  “I’m not sleeping with anybody but you.”

  “Now. Maybe,” Casey said, turning away from him.

  Brent reached for Casey’s chin and turned her face toward him. Casey was in no mood to speak to Brent, much less look at him.

  “You have every reason to be upset with me, and I can’t fault you for it one bit. You have the complete right to be angry with me. I remember what the counselor said about it being healthy to be angry—”

  “Fuck the counselor and fuck you too,” Casey interjected.

  “Casey, you don’t mean that—can’t you just please try and see the situation from my perspective? I know what I did was wrong. I know that. But is it wrong for me to want to see my daughter, to have a relationship with her? She’s my flesh and blood, Casey. Can you try and understand that? I know I should have said something to you about it, but I was afraid of getting you upset again. I can’t just turn my back on my own child. I would be as bad as all those other men that we read about in the newspapers and see on the TV who make thousands of babies and never take care of them,” Brent implored.

  “Isn’t her mother getting enough money? Why can’t they just cash their monthly checks and disappear and let us live our lives? I feel like we’re going to be haunted by them forever,” Casey cried.

  “It’s not that easy. I wish it was. And, baby, I don’t want anything to do with Nikki’s mother. I just want to know my little girl and I don’t want her growing up thinking that she had one of those fathers who deserted her. It’s only right. Nikki didn’t ask to be brought here. Because of my irresponsible behavior, she was conceived. I know you, Casey; you wouldn’t respect any man who didn’t take care of his own child. How can you expect any less of me?”

  “I don’t think my expectations of you can be lessened any more than they already are,” Casey said, covering her face with her hands.

  “Come on, Casey. Don’t be like that. Can you please try and understand? It doesn’t have to be such a bad thing. We can make it through this together. Can I count on you to be by my side in this? Come on, baby, for better or for worse. And, honey, I promise you, the worst is over. We’re partners, we’re a family. I need to know that you’re going to be by my side,” Brent said, gazing into Casey’s eyes.

  “Brent, I just don’t know. You’re constantly lying to me. There’s no way for me to defend myself against a lie. I’m tired of being hurt.” “Casey, I promise—”

  “Brent, please don’t promise me anything right now,” Casey interrupted. “You’re in no position.” “Don’t give up on me, Casey.” “Let’s get out of here. Please, I’m ready to go.” “Can I take that as a yes, that you’re with me?” Brent asked. “Let’s just go, Brent. I can’t really plan beyond today.” “Fair enough,” Brent said, starting up the car and putting it in gear.

  Chapter 19

  What was Kelly up to now? Steve thought as he paced back and forth in front of the fourteen-foot etched-glass door. She had called him frantically, claiming that Diamond had a fever. Steve was so accustomed to Kelly conjuring up harebrained schemes that he had been reluctant to respond to her emergency message. God, he hoped that
Kelly was not pathetic enough to lie about her own daughter’s health; then again, lately nothing seemed beyond Kelly.

  Steve refused to use the key to the door as he stood outside the home that was technically his. He was hoping it would sell soon and was seriously considering lowering the asking price by two hundred thousand dollars so it would go faster. It was time to close this chapter of his life. He no longer wanted Kelly in his life, and certainly not living in a place for which he was paying the mortgage.

  That was another reason he had consented to see Kelly today. Over a month ago, Steve had received the legal document that would put into action Kelly’s eviction. Steve had been procrastinating serving her the papers since he had told her she had until the end of the year to leave. But he could no longer put it off—it was only the beginning of May now. He wanted to have a life of his own again—not one dictated by Kelly’s deceit. Although he was concerned for Diamond’s welfare, he felt in the long run it was better for the child not to be torn between him and Kelly.

  The way he saw it, he had been overly generous and patient with Kelly despite her lies and manipulation. He even still provided her with a hefty monthly living allowance that supported her lavish lifestyle. Steve reminded himself not to be seduced by her, a feat that was nearly impossible, as he had learned the hard way. She had almost broken him. He thought back to the first time he realized Kelly’s ability to deceive in order to get what she wanted. It had been the end of his fourth season playing for the Flyers, and they had just moved into their new house.

  “Diamond! Diamond! Daddy’s home. Where’s my little girl?” Steve had bellowed out, walking into the kitchen.

  He had come back to New Jersey two days early from a road trip because he had to see the Flyers’ orthopedic surgeon about an injury to his wrist.

  “Kelly! Diamond! Where’s everybody?” Steve said, looking around the family room.

  Steve ran upstairs to Diamond’s room, thinking she might be napping. He always missed her when he went on road trips and was anxious to see his little girl.