Tales of the Underground: Blinded - 47. Player of the Game

| Riley |

It’s weird to think of myself as an older brother. I know I brought Tak back. I know we were in the same gang, and practically had the same roles, but I never imagined he would cling to me so hard. I never imagined he would see me as a role model. As someone to follow.

“Here.” A young voice offered as he held out my basketball shoes.

I looked up to him as I pulled my socks high and cautiously took them from him. “What’d you do?” I asked, looking through them.

“Nothin.” He quickly shook his head. “I just wanna help.”

“Oh.” I exhaled, starting to slide them on. “Thanks.”

“How many points are you gonna put up today?” He excitedly asked, trying his hardest to stay close without annoying me.

“Don’t know.” I shrugged.

“I’ve been workin on my dribblin.” He began. “I think I’m gettin better.”

“That’s great Tak.” I mumbled, standing up and heading towards the kitchen.

“Do you think I’m ready to learn one of your moves yet?” He asked, following close behind me.

“Don’t know.” I repeated, trying my hardest to keep my patience.

“When will you know?” He interrogated, too excited to leave me alone.

“When I watch you practice.” I sighed, praying our mom and Aaron would just come downstairs already.

“When will that be?”

“I don’t know Tak!” I finally lashed out in a raised voice. I let out a deep sigh as he took a step back and looked away. “I’m sorry.” I forced out. “I didn’t mean to yell, I’m just tryin to get focused.” He nodded but stayed quiet. “You wanna help?” I finally offered.

“Yeah.” He excitedly replied as he picked his head back up.

“Follow me.” I muttered, leading him down stairs and out of the garage. I scooped up a basketball and handed it to him before picking a spot a decent ways away from the hoop. “Get my rebounds and pass it to me, got it?”

“Okay.” He happily nodded as the drill began.

At first I was a bit rusty. I either hit the backboard or rimmed out, but as I started to grow more and more comfortable my shots began to fall. I kept going until finally it felt like the misses were a faint memory. Tak watched on in amazement as I locked in and zoned out the world around me.

“There they are!” Nancy happily exclaimed as her and Aaron walked through the garage. “Are you helping Riley practice Tak?”

“Yeah.” Tak exhaled, trying his hardest to mirror my focus.

“Looks like he’s just getting the ball for you.” Aaron observed with a smirk.

“He’s practicin his passes.” I explained as they finally managed to break me out of my zone. “That’s just as important as shootin.”

“You wouldn get it.” Tak shook his head. “Riley’s a baller.”

“And what am I?” Aaron asked as he grew closer.

“Buggin.” Tak teased drawing a laugh from me.

“He ain’t wrong.” I grinned towards Aaron who simply rolled his eyes and kept moving.

“Alright boys.” Mom motioned. “Let’s get going before Rileys late. Dad and Grandma should almost be there by now.”

“This is gonna be dope!” Tak exclaimed as I rolled the ball back into the garage. “You gonna be flexin on everyone!”

“Chill.” I sighed as we followed after Aaron. “I can’t have you gettin all hyped before every game.”

“Why not?” He asked with curious eyes.

“Cause sometimes I just need quiet.” I tried to explain. “You’ll understand when you start playin.”

“I do play.” He insisted. “You missed all my games.”

“It’s true, he’s pretty good.” Mom encouraged as we all took our seats. “Maybe even better than you.” She teased, drawing an excited smile from Tak.

“I go off.” He confidently nodded. “I get to the paint and they can’t contain me.”

“Riley,” Aaron sighed. “Can you please translate what he’s trying to say.”

“It ain’t that hard.” I groaned. “He’s just sayin he’s good, and that no one can stop him when he gets down low.”

“Easy for you to say.” Aaron remarked. “You grew up speaking the same language.”

“It can be confusing sometimes.” Mom interjected.

“He told me he wanted to cut it up.” Aaron complained as Tak’s laughter filled the air. “That’s it, no context, he just said he wanted to cut it up when he first got here.”

“So?” I asked, returning my gaze out the window.

“So what’s it mean?” Aaron pried. “He won’t tell me!”

“Then you don’t needa know.” I shrugged.

“You don’t know it.” Aaron happily crossed his arms. “Otherwise you would have said it.”

“I just want quiet.” I groaned.

“Tak knows street language better than you.” He instigated, relishing in the opprotunity to push my buttons.

“It just means he wants to chill and be cool with you.” I finally explained. “You couldn’t’ve just googled it? Shit man.”

“Alright.” Mom interrupted. “Give Riley his space.”

“Mama’s boy.” Aaron smirked, pushing one last button before the car quieted down.

I wish someone would’ve told me how annoying having two brothers could be! I would’ve bought earplugs or something! Between Tak trying his hardest to be cool with me, and Aaron being, Aaron, I’m going to lose my mind!

--

--

When we finally got to the school I rushed out of the car and to the gym, happy just to have some time away. Don’t get me wrong, I love my family and all. It’s just, they need to learn to relax! Then again, maybe that’s something I need to teach them. A week of Riley Walker Boot Camp would do them all well. Especially Aaron!

As I stepped into the gym I waved to my Grandma and Dad before Coach motioned for me to join the warm up lines.

“Nice of you to join us.” Carter teased as I took the spot behind him.

“I’m right on time.” I shrugged. “Besides, I was warmin up at home.”

“I’m sure that was very productive.” Carter smiled.

“You could call it that.” I teased. “Either way, I got our after game plans all worked out.”

“Yeah?” Carter asked, but was interrupted by his turn in line. I watched as he went up with the ball, and quickly mirrored it before rejoining him on the other line. “So what are your plans? Pizza and the Bulls game?”

“No.” I quickly shot down. “We goin out to dinner.”

“Seriously?” Carter asked as his smile grew. “That’s so sweet, where are we going?”

“I don’t know.” I delayed with a sway of my head. “But my whole family will be there.”

“That’s not so sweet.” Carter sighed. “Am I actually invited, or are you just trying to force my way in?”

“No, you invited.” I nodded my head. “I checked with my parents.”

“Coach is cool with you two just flirting every practice?” Trey asked from behind me as Carter’s turn came back around.

“You some kinda stupid.” I remarked, before taking my turn with the ball.

“I’m sorry.” He quickly apologized as he took his turn and rushed back to me. “I didn’t mean anything by it.”

Carter let out a deep sigh before watching us both. “What are you apologizing for?”

“I just asked if Coach was cool with you two flirting during practices and before games.” Trey asked once more. “I didn’t mean it in a bad way.”

“Oh.” Carter dismissed. “Riley’s just sensitive about us.”

“I’m not sensitive, and we ain’t flirting.” I insisted. “We was just talking.”

“Call it what you want.” Carter shrugged. “But to answer your question Trey, no, coach doesn’t care. It helps us stay loose.”

“Does he even remember we datin?” I asked, looking over to Carter.

“You kissed me in front of a gym full of people.” Carter lightly laughed. “I think he remembers.”

“That’s how you came out?” Trey prodded. “That’s sweet.”

“I wasn’t talkin to you.” I remarked, turning my back to him.

“I thought we were cool?” Trey argued, looking over to Carter who simply shrugged his shoulders.

“Mind your own business and we will be.” I explained, refusing to look back at him.

“Alright sorry.” He backed off. “I didn’t know it was such a sensitive subject.”

“It ain’t a sensitive subject!” I insisted in a frustrated voice.

“See, but when you say it like that.” Carter couldn’t help but tease. “I love you Riley.” He forced out before taking another turn in the drill.

“You don’t say a word.” I warned Trey as I quickly glanced back. He threw his hands up and took a step back before I caught the ball and ran through the warm up.

“Just relax.” Carter forced a smile as I took my spot in line. “He’s just trying to make conversation.”

“Some conversation.” I muttered as Trey rejoined us.

He went to say something but before he could the buzzer sounded, causing me to jump. “You okay?” Carter quickly checked as though he was going off of instinct.

“Fine.” I mumbled, as I kept my head down.

“I’m serious Riley.” Carter pressured. “You’re just in the gym at school, everything is okay.”

“I’m good.” I nodded, hating how many people were watching the small display. Did anyone notice? Did my parents notice? Did Trey notice? “I, thank you Carter.” I forced out.

“Any time.” He smiled, quickly rubbing my back before heading over to the sidelines. Trey watched closely but kept his mouth shut as we both followed Carter.

I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t dreaming of this moment. To finally be back on the court next to Carter. To finally be back in my jersey and Jordan’s. To finally feel alive again.

This time when the buzzer sounded to start the game I didn’t jump. I stayed focus on my goal. I’m going to make sure this school remembers who I am. I’m going to be more than just one and done. Carter and I are going to carve up their records books so much that ours will be the only names you see.

As I locked in and got going I heard the opposite point guard throwing smack talk at me, but ignored him and focused on my game. Usually I’d throw it back. Hell, usually I’d start the smack talk! But not today, not in my first game back. Today I’m going to dominate with everything I have. I have no time for petty conversations and fighting.

I heard the bench hoot and holler as I drilled my fifth three pointer of the game. Carter and I are putting on a show today, and considering we’re up by thirty, well I’d say we’re the only thing to really watch. Carter couldn’t help but wink to me as the third quarter came to an end.

“I really hope you can keep this up all season.” He teased with a smile.

“Walker’s red hot.” Cam teased, giving me a good shake as he grabbed my shoulders.

“I’ve noticed.” Coach Murray nodded his head. “He’s going back out in the fourth with Trey.”

“Really?” I asked, shooting him a suspicious look. “Carter’s got better defense.”

“I know, but I want them to keep feeding you right now.” He nodded his head. “I want you to finish this game as hot as you started.”

“Done.” I accepted as I looked over to Carter.

“Go shoot the lights out.” He smiled as the buzzer rang for the fourth quarter.

It was weird being out there without Carter, but as much as it hurts me to say it, Trey worked well too. Trey isn’t nearly the same offensive threat that Carter is, but it’s nice knowing I have someone covering me on defense. He gets the ball back for me, and I put it in the hoop. It’s more work, but as long as I’m scoring I can’t complain.

I couldn’t help but feel excitement surge through me as I barreled over the opposing point guard and tossed the ball off the backboard and into the net. The kid threw his hands up and stayed on the ground, trying his hardest to draw a call. I shrugged my shoulders and stepped over him as I went to get back on defense.

Suddenly I felt a hand shove me from behind. “Are you serious?!” The kid shouted. “You’re really going to walk over me?”

As I turned around I felt my heart begin to race. I went to say something but without warning my body locked up. “The hell you think you’re doing?” Trey asked, pushing the kid away from me.

“Did you not see what,”

“Don’t stay on the court bitching if you don’t want to be stepped over.” Trey unsympathetically cut off.

“Yeah.” I began as I finally woke back up “Who the fuck do you think you are? You down by forty, shut the fuck up.”

“Are you two serious?” The kid began as his teammates grew closer.

“That’s enough.” The ref shouted stepping forward. “You boys had your say, let it go.”

“Have some fucking class.” The kid shouted towards us.

“Eat my ass.” Trey dismissed as we both turned our backs to him.

“Technicals both ways!” The ref shouted towards the benches. “Coaches keep control of your players!”

“You good?” Trey asked cautiously looking over to me.

“Yeah.” I quickly answered. “I, thanks.”

“Don’t mention it.” He dismissed. “We’re teammates, that’s what we do.”

I nodded my head and locked back in as play resumed. This time around me and Trey’s teamwork seemed to improve, or maybe I just started to notice it more. Whichever it was, I’m just relieved to have someone other than Carter to flow with. It feels like no matter what combination Coach goes with, as long as I’m in the lineup they can’t lose! I just hope they can keep winning while I’m out after my surgery!

As the final buzzer rang me and the other point guard shared a stare down before finally rejoining our teams. “Good stuff today!” Coach Murray boomed as we all huddled together. “You boys played as a team, and we finally looked like the defending state champions today. Carter, who’s the player of the game?”

The team grew loud as I felt my teammates push and pull me. “Today’s easy.” Carter nodded as he reached back and pulled a small stress ball designed like a basketball out of his bag. “Riley put up thirty five points and added the grit we’ve been missing.”

“We started a new tradition,” Coach began to explain as Carter passed me the small ball. “At the end of every game the previous player of the game passes it to a teammate who deserves it.”

I nodded my head as I looked down at the orange ball. “And that player has to say some words.” Carter provoked with a smile as everyone’s eyes stayed on me.

I shook my head as I tried my hardest to think of something to say. “It’s good to be back,” I began not knowing what else to say. “I been waiting for this day since I left. We a dominate team when we want to be. We control pace and get in their heads. I know we haven’t gotten off to the start we wanted, but all that’s fixin to change.”

I got some more excited shouts as I finished my speech. “Nicely put Walker.” Coach teased. “We meet back here for practice on Monday. Rest up, you boys earned it.”

“I thought you were waiting to see me since you left.” Carter couldn’t help but provoke as everyone went their separate ways.

“I was,” I started, trying to figure a way out of the hole I had dug. “but the team was a close second.” I offered with a smile. “A team that you’re the captain of.”

“Save it.” Carter laughed as he threw his bag over his shoulder. “You better not lose that, the teams really buying into the idea.” He warned as I threw the small ball into my bag.

“I won’t.” I dismissed with a wave of my hand. “Kinda suspicious you gave it to the guy you sleep with though.”

“What can I say?” He giggled. “It’s all about who you know. Seriously though, you earned it.” He smiled, throwing his hand around me.

“Bet your ass I did.” I smirked as my family made their way down from the bleachers.

“That was so frickin cool!” Tak shouted as reached the bottom of the steps. “You was cookin.”

“Thanks.” I nodded, reaching over and giving him a shove.

“Can I sit next to you guys at dinner?” He quickly asked.

“I think Riley should sit next to Grandma.” Mom reminded us with a raise of her eyebrows.

“Are you sure it’s okay that I come?” Carter checked with her. “I know that Riley,”

“It’s fine.” She interrupted with a smile. “It’s nice for you to start spending time with us as a family, and not just Riley and Aaron as friends.”

“Yeah, you’re not just a friend anymore.” Aaron instigated. “You’re dating her baby.”

“Bruh.” I forced out as our eyes locked.

“She’s like a mama bear.” Aaron continued as our mom gave him a light pinch. “Sorry.” Aaron forced out as he looked down.

“But for the record,” She began, looking right at Carter. “I am a mama bear and you are dating one of my cubs.”

“Noted.” Carter giggled, but I could tell he was slightly intimidated by her.

“Riley Walker,” An older woman called out as she finally reached the bottom of the steps. “I’ve been waiting for you to get home.”

“It’s good to see you.” I smiled as she pulled me in for a hug.

“You have so much to tell me.” She said with a growing smile. “You’ll have to tell me all about Michigan, and about school, and basketball, and,”

“Okay Mom.” Dad laughed. “There will be plenty of time for that at dinner.”

“Alright, alright,” She accepted as he began to push her along. “But first, Riley, do you still have your dog tag?”

“Course.” I nodded before reaching into my jersey and pulling it out. “Never leave home without it.”

Her smile seemed to double in size as she saw the familiar rectangle hanging from my neck. “That’s my grandson.” She proudly nodded as dad finally got her to walk again.

“Unbelievable!” Aaron remarked. “How come you get to be everyone’s favorite?”

“Don’t beat yourself up over it.” I shrugged. “Someone has to come in second.”

“Me!” Tak quickly interrupted in a yelp.

“If it helps you’re still my favorite Aaron.” Carter instigated with a smile. “And Tak’s in second.”

I clicked my tongue and threw my bag over my shoulder. “Then you can drive them.”

“I will.” He proudly held his head. “You can have some nice quality time with your mom.”

“I think that’s a great idea.” She smiled and placed a hand on my shoulder.

“We was just playin, I’m gonna,”

“You’re going to ride with me.” She decided with a nod of her head. “And if Carter is nice enough to drive your brothers, it’d be appreciated.”

“Done.” Carter proudly smiled. “Let’s go boys.” He instructed, leading my brothers out of the gym and to the parking lot.

“Don’t look so down.” Mom tried to comfort. “You’ll see him in five minutes, besides, we have to talk.”

“About?” I groaned as we both made the short trek to the car.

“How you jumped at the buzzer, or, how you froze when that kid pushed you.” She replied, watching me closely.

“Buzzer just caught me off guard.” I lied. “And that kid ain’t shit, I was ignorin him on purpose.”

“Riley.” She pressured, not buying a single word. “Remember our conversation about being open with one another?”

“I’m just adjustin.” I finally confessed as we both got in the car. “It’s going to take some time.”

“And that’s the truth?” She asked as our eyes connected. “Cross your heart?”

“Yeah.” I nodded my head. “Besides, I got people watchin my back.”

“You’re very lucky for that.” She explained as she reached over and gently rubbed my arm. “And for the record, I’m very proud of your for spending the night with Tak, then letting him help you practice.”

“Yeah, yeah.” I muttered, trying my hardest to blow off her words.

“I always knew there was a big heart in there.” She teased as I tried my hardest to hide my blush.

Okay, maybe some quality time with mom wasn’t the worst thing in the world. I’d still rather be with Carter, but this, it’s a close second. I only wish I could take all her worries away. I wish she didn’t feel like she had to watch me so closely. But I guess that’s what it means to have a mama bear. And as someone who grew up without that, well I don’t think I would trade her for the world.