17. Luke

Chapter 17

Luke

T he sounds of the arena echo around me as I sit on the bench, watching practice. The atmosphere is charged with anticipation and a mix of excitement and anxiety. Between the trades and the bachelor auction, everyone is feeling the pressure. I put the trades out of mind; as Keke said, I have no control over that, so I should focus on the auction instead.

I still don’t know what to think of that.

On the one hand, I know it’s good for us. Raising money for the animal shelter is a no- brainer. I love that she’s spearheading this event, putting her heart and soul into making it a success. But the idea of being auctioned off like some prized piece of meat leaves a sour taste in my mouth. I have always preferred being on the ice, letting my hard work speak for itself.

In a few days, I’ll be up on that stage, everyone looking at me. It will be my childhood all over again.

As the event approached, I volunteered for the role of Master of Ceremonies. That way, I could avoid the auction block altogether. It felt like the best of both worlds—I could help raise awareness and funds for the shelter without putting myself on display for the world to judge. I could still be there for Keke to support her efforts while remaining on the sidelines.

I've been watching her work tirelessly over the past few weeks, and I am genuinely astounded by everything she’s done. She was in her element, managing every detail of the event with a passion that made me question if I had misunderstood her.

At first, I thought I was jumping the gun by having those feelings for her. Falling in love too easily has been a habit of mine.

But as I’ve watched her navigate this event, I’ve felt that familiar sinking sensation in my gut every time she walked into the room. It was intoxicating. Her fire ignited something in me that I haven't felt in a very long time. I want to support her dreams as fiercely as she chasing them.

She has a way of pulling out the best in people, even when they don’t realize it. I first saw it with her suggestions about Lucas. I had initially bristled at her advice, but the more I thought about it, the more it made sense. Lucas had come to the team with a chip on his shoulder, trying to prove something to everyone. Mostly to himself, or maybe to Coach, I wasn’t sure.

But the kid needs guidance. He’s still young, and I see glimpses of myself in him. If I can make him see that we are all in this together, it might just help him—and me—navigate the pressures of the league. It’d certainly take the pressure off.

Management has been tight-lipped about the potential trades, and the possibility of being uprooted haunts me. I love Atlanta, the team, and the community that embraced me. The thought of leaving it all behind is like cutting off an arm. Atlanta is a part of me, and now I need to prove that I’m a part of her.

In the midst of my worries, I can’t help but think about Keke and her unwavering determination. I marvel at how she takes every challenge head on. It makes me question whether I’m being weak for feeling so anxious about my future. She charges ahead with the same passion she shows for everything else. My career is in good hands.

“Hey, Luke, you got a minute?”

I’m pulled from my thoughts by Marco, one of my teammates. He strolls into the office with a grin plastered on his face. “Sure, what's up?”

“I heard about the auction. You're going to be the MC, right?”

“Yeah, just trying to do my part to help out.”

“Are you ready for it? You know, they'll probably throw some tough questions your way,” he jokes.

“I'm the MC, so I'll be the one asking the questions. Smart ass.”

He crosses his arms over his barrel chest. “Did you take the MC gig so you wouldn't have to be on the auction block like the rest of us?”

“I'd rather not have my dating life put on display more than it already has been.”

Marco laughs. “You should embrace it, man. There are a ton of girls who would pay a fortune for a date with you, but hey, if you're doing the MC thing, you can always throw a few digs in at the other guys while you're at it.”

I roll my eyes. The thought of being some sort of entertainment sends my mind spiraling back to Keke. “Yeah, that sounds great. Just what I need, more attention on me.”

“You just need to learn to enjoy the spotlight. It can be fun, you know.”

“Being under a spotlight makes you a target.”

Marco must have sensed the change in my mood because he steps closer. “Hey, you've got something special going with Keke, right?”

“We're figuring things out.”

“Look, man, I get that you're worried about being traded, but you can't let that hold you back from what you have with her. It's worth taking the leap.”

“I had no idea that you're a secret romantic, Marco. You big girl, you.”

He doesn’t take the bait. He doesn’t even so much as crack a smile. “Seriously. She's a good girl. And I've never seen you stick around with anybody this long, so obviously there's a connection there. You should go for it.”

I didn't want to say it out loud but the words crawled out of me anyway. “What if it all falls apart? What if I get traded, and she can't follow me?”

“Then you figure it out. Relationships take work, and that includes the hard stuff, but you don't want to miss out on something special because you're scared of what might happen.”

“I get what you're saying but right now it's hard to keep my head straight when my future feels so unstable. The trades?—”

Marco claps a hand on my shoulder. “Focus on the here and now. Do what you can. Let the rest sort itself out. Remember, you've got people in your corner, don't hesitate to lean on us.”

What he said sounds remarkably like what I think about Keke. How can I teach her to lean on others when I’m not doing it myself? “Thanks man, I appreciate it.”

The days blur together as the auction looms closer. Keke and I spend countless hours working on every detail, from organizing the auction lots to creating promotional material that will catch people's attention. I’m in awe of her ability to juggle everything while maintaining her focus. It makes me want to match her energy.

Each passing day, I feel the gnawing tension of uncertainty about a potential trade growing heavier. I have no control over the decisions being made behind closed doors, and that feeling of powerlessness is suffocating. Keke’s advice aside, I’m used to being in control. But the reality is, I’m at the mercy of management's whims.

Behind Keke’s smile, I sense her determination to keep pushing forward, to not let fear dictate our choices. I know that there’s still a lot to learn from her.

As the days count down, I decide to make a final push to solidify my role on the team as a potential mentor. I reach out to Lucas again, inviting him to grab a drink after practice. I figured it was time.

When he arrives at the bar, I can tell he’s still hesitant. He has that same damn stubborn demeanor about him. “You don't have to be nice to me because your girlfriend told you to.”

“I'm here because I want to be. Keke thinks you have great potential, and I agree. You just need to let your guard down a little bit.”

“I'm not anyone's project.”

“Who said anything about a project? If I didn't think you weren't worth having on the team, I wouldn't be having a drink with you right now. I've been in your shoes before, and trust me, a support system makes all the difference.”

He slugs back his beer. “Why do you care?”

“Because I don't want to see talent like yours wasted. This game is tough, and it will chew you up and spit you out. Unless you have friends who watch out for you. We can be rivals, or we can be allies. It's your choice.”

“I choose myself." With that, he sets down his beer and walks out.

I don’t know what else to do at this point. A sinking feeling seeps into me. I’ve disappointed Keke and she doesn’t even know it yet.