Just Like Me: Jordan Poole

25

Destiny swallowed, watching her mother and the rest of the ownership sign over the papers that would send Jordan Poole to the Wizards.

News of the trade for Chris Paul broke days ago, but now it was final. The ink was going to dry and nothing could be done to stop it.

As the contract was slid across the table to Joe, Jordan squeezed Destiny's hand a little harder.

Joe looked at the paper that contained all the details of the trade before looking up at Destiny. She stared at him with a look that broke his heart into thousands of small pieces.

Janine was once again a shareholder of the Warriors since she was now able to fully withhold her percentage rights to the franchise. Ryan was stripped of her percentages, giving Janine control once again.

Her first order of business was putting a trade package together that would send Jordan Poole as far away from her daughter as possible. All members of the franchise agreed, giving Joe little power.

In all honesty, if Joe refused the sign the contract, the trade would be voided or put on hold until all sides could come to an agreement.

"I can't." Joe sat the pen on the table, looking around the table of executives and general managers. "This isn't the way to go about it."

Janine smirked. "Sign the papers, Joe."

The Warriors GM sighed. "It's done, Joe. You've gotta sign the-"

"Sign them."

Destiny looked over at Jordan, who'd spoken up for the first time since he got into the office.

He was hurt and it didn't take a blind man to realize that. Jordan was absolutely devastated by the idea of not playing for the Warriors for the rest of his career. It was something he'd grown in love with fairly easily.

"Really?" Janine asked, crossing her arms. "What makes you say that?"

Destiny looked at her mother. "Go to hell."

"Alright. Let's just..." The Warriors new GM, Bob Meyers, stood up. "Take a break and come back to this in 15 minutes."

All the executives filed from the room, leaving Janine and Joe sitting across the table from Destiny and Jordan. There were 3 empty chairs between her parents and all Destiny could do was stare at them and wonder where the hell everything had gone so wrong.

"You know all you had to do was leave my daughter alone and this wouldn't be happening?"

Jordan cleared his throat. "I'm aware."

Janine looked around the table. "It's not too late, ya' know? Inks not dry and the big shot owner hasn't approved the trade yet. Right, Joe? All you have to do is stay away from my kid."

"Janine." Joe spoke up. "Please, stop talking."

Destiny couldn't help but feel guilty for everything that was happening. It was her fault. Her mother had warned her so many times and Destiny just didn't listen.

Jordan looked at Joe before speaking once again. "I appreciate you, Joe. From the bottom of my heart. You took a chance on me and stood by your decision in drafting me even when people thought you was crazy. You a real one."

"Always."

The guard stood up and shook his former owners hand, a small smile on his face. "I'a see you during the season."

Joe raised his eyebrows. "You know I don't have to sign off on this."

"Nah. Do what you gotta do."

Both men withdrew their hands and Jordan grabbed Destiny's hand as she stood to her feet. It was going to happen and Jordan didn't intend to fight it. There was just no reason to.