The Other Side 2.0 | The League

Thirty-One

Spencer's POV
THE COME UP

"Sunday is your first game of the season. After four amazing preseason games, how do you feel you will perform in front of that electrifying New York Giants crowd?"

"I'll prepare for the like I prepare for every game. Strap on my cleats and buckle my chin strap."

"Spencer, you recently signed a monster deal with Nike. And you made history by having the first African American female to negotiate a contract that large with a top brand. And as if that wasn't special enough, you have yet to play a regular season game this year. How does that feel?"

"Uh... amazing! I always believed in Jayda. She always believed in me. I'm thankful for my team over at Nike. And I'm also happy to have my brother and friend, Jordan Baker, rejoining my team soon. He'll be supporting Jayda and ultimately helping grow my brand."

"And we thank you, Spencer James, for joining us. Good luck this Sunday."
____________

"Okay, superstar! How many times can you watch yourself on tv?" Jayda yells as she hands me a balloon to place at the center of the patio table.

"We can't have the new face of Nike doing hard labor," Coach Baker says and I agree.

"See, you got to stop treating me like that little freshman you met back in college. I'm big dawg now." I say and Jayda sticks up her middle finger, making us all laugh.

We're preparing for Jordan's arrival in the form of a family gathering. He's being released from the hospital after weeks have passed. Although he's confined to a wheelchair, for now, we're all excited he's coming home.

"Thanks again for letting Jordan stay here while he gets himself together." Coach says and I wave him off because it's no problem at all.

Besides, with the season coming, Liv will love to have him around while I'm on the road.

"I'm just happy you and him are mending your relationship," I reply honestly.

"I had some help with that," he nudges me and I smile. "Now I need you to return the favor and reach out to your mom. She's struggling knowing you're upset with her."

It's been over a week since finding out my mom knew about the twins back in college and I still haven't found the strength to respond to her text or calls. And she's made plenty of them.

"Yeah, about that..."

"I tried to stay out of it, but it's hard knowing you're about to play your first pro game and she's not invited."

I stare at Summer and SJ in the pool with their private swim instructor. Every time I think about reaching out to my mom, I think about how she threw money at Kia to get rid of those two, without even telling me.

"I'm working on it," I lie.

"Are you just saying that so that I get off of your back or are you really working on it?"

My phone rings at the perfect time because I really don't want to talk about this.

"Okay, he's being brought to my car now. We should be there in about thirty minutes." Kia tells me after I say hello.

"Liv's not back from her meeting, yet."

"Do you want me to stall?" She asks and I look around at all of the food being spread out.

"Nah, the food is ready and everybody is ready to eat. Let me call her real quick," I say and Kia hangs up in a hurry because Jordan must be near.

I haven't even brought up the latest drama with my mom to Kia and I probably won't. Yes, Kia should take some blame, but it's pointless to keep revisiting the past, when we're currently crushing the present.