Jayden Booker

Wild

- Jayden? Are you okay? - The ground under my feet began to stabilize. I could catch my breath again.

- Can I get some water? I feel like I'm gonna pass out. - My eyes started seeing again. The spurs logo was right in front of me.

I took a sip from the tiny cup they gave me and picked up a pen to sign the contract. The salary almost made me blackout.

- Go ahead and confirm everything, you can look through it again if you want.

- That number is correct, right? - I picked up the contract to show him. - It's written correctly?

- Yes, that is correct, 8 million.

- Okay. - I leaned back on the soft chair. - I might need a moment. Actually, no, I don't need one.

I firmly picked up the pen and sealed the deal. The next phone call between me and Josh consisted of ten minutes of screaming and two minutes of actual conversation.

- DUDE, THIRD PICK. - Josh was blowing my ears out. - Bro, you're gonna play for the best franchise ever.

- That's up for debate, the bulls with Jordan had a pretty good run. Not to mention the Dubs.

- Shut your ass up. Listen, I better see you on that court and you better make me proud. Don't forget who taught you basketball.

That phone call was the last for months. I was busier than ever and our first game, against Utah Jazz, was coming up. For the first time in my life, I felt below average height.

As I walked onto the court, I realized how big of a deal this was - the stadium was full of fans, all applying pressure for us to do well. I couldn't look anywhere without seeing a camera pointing at every player at all times. My heart ached of nerves, but once the ball was thrown up - all of that disappeared. I had missed playing basketball, the amount of energy I had brought into the first game was unmatched. 

111-85. The Spurs. Boo-yah. Starting a new era of my life with a W. It definitely felt special - I had no idea that my 32 points would bring me even more attention. Saying it was overwhelming would be a huge understatement.

Back in the locker room, everyone was filled with joy.

- What a start. - Murray chuckled. - We need to protect this Jayden kid, man.

- I ain't leaving without a ring. - I laughed. Fortunately, everyone also thought it was funny. I think a tiny part of me was serious.

- Love the enthusiasm but it's just Utah, gotta play in Detroit in two days.

And boy, did we play them. Pistons lost 120-115. Then Miami Heat followed them with 130-109...Then Magic, then Rockets, and then Magic again. We were on a winning streak and I could finally see Josh before our next game.

I went to talk to him in Denver the night before the game against the Nuggets.

- Bro I've been watching the games. Those buckets man, insane. The dunk against Magic was sick, even my pops saw that one. Come on Jayden, sit down, let's have a drink.

- Alright. I won't drink a lot though, I gotta play the Nuggets tomorrow.

- Okay, I get that, but you have to. We barely meet anymore. - Josh poured me a glass. He had some sports channel on the TV.

- Well I'm busy, you know how it is.

I overheard the TV: "Because Booker, I feel like that's exactly what San Antonio needs right now. There is nothing wrong with them but they just didn't have a superstar and I feel like Jayden is that guy".

- Can you turn that off? - I asked.

- Oh damn, they're talking about you.

- Yeah, can you turn it off?

- Sure, as you please.

It wasn't even midnight before we were both drunk.

- Josh, be honest with me right now. - I laughed. - Who do you want to win tomorrow?

- Come on Jayden, you're my best friend, you know what the answer is.

- I know the damn answer. You were a Nuggets fan since you were a tiny boy. I can't judge you, I understand.

- I'm not even a Nuggets fan. - We were both laughing.

- You're wearing a Nuggets jersey. - I missed the laughs we used to have before basketball became my career. 

Josh kept me company for the whole night. The hangover in the morning hit me hard. And to think I had to play.

- Jayden, what the fuck is going on? - Coach asked, since I had only scored 5 points at half-time.

- Jokic, man, he keeps blocking me off I can't get any shots in.

- I don't believe that for a second. There is no way you're slower than him.

- I don't know sir, maybe I just don't feel well. - Was all I could say. My body and mind were both shutting down. I felt as if I had disappointed myself and my team.

87-102. Denver Nuggets. Shit. Absolutely shit. I couldn't believe I let my team down. It was totally my fault and I didn't want to hear any "It's a team effort" bullshit. No. I lost. The next game coming up was not promising much either - we were gonna play the Milwaukee Bucks. Fucking 2020/2021 champions. Fuck me.