Life of Harlow

Gut Feeling

Liam

After practice, I went to check my phone and saw I had a text from Harlow.

Harlow: Hey dad. Came back to the school and I'm in the common area doing homework. Let me know when you're done with practice and I'll meet you in the parking lot.

I felt my dad-senses go off. Something wasn't right. Harlow coming back to school? Something must've happened. Not bothering to respond, I called her. She answered after a few rings.

Hey, dad. Practice all done?

Hey, baby girl. Just finished up. You still up for having dinner with Kenz and Trevor tonight?

Yeah. I know the last thing you want to do is cook.

What's going on?

What makes you say that?

Oh, I don't know, you coming back to the school for starters. What happened?

Nothing. It was just getting crowded and Emma and I had work to get done. I actually finished everything. I'm heading to the gym now.

Alright.

She was lying. Okay, maybe not completely lying, but my gut was telling me something was off.

"Hey, Coach. Am I riding with you today?" Trevor asked, bouncing the ball.

"Yeah. I'm just waiting on Harlow. She should be here any minute."

"Cool. Let's make a bet. If I make this shot from half court, no one has to do conditioning in practice tomorrow."

"Don't do it," Jace warned.

I laughed. Colt made his way over.

"My nephew is placing another bet, huh?" Colt quizzed.

"Always. Conditioning is important, T," I said.

"One day won't hurt."

I watched as Jace shook his head. He knew all too well it was rare I lost a bet, especially not when it came to shooting. One thing I never stopped doing was perfecting my jump shot. My form even at nearly 40 was impeccable. Basketball was still my craft and I refused to not be in shape.

"How about this? You make the shot from half court, no conditioning for the team tomorrow. You miss and I get a chance to make the shot. If I make it, you have to do an extra mile run tomorrow afternoon. If I miss, we call it even and go on with the standard conditioning."

"If you miss, you cut the team's conditioning in half," he countered.

"Alright, fair enough."

He went to the center of the court, confident as ever.

"You still have a chance to walk this back," Jace called out.

He waved him off and got into position to shoot the ball. I watched it float in the air. He had his arms raised in victory, but then the ball hit the rim and bounced off to the side.

"No!" he shouted.

Colt patted my back.

"Go easy on him."

I looked at him and laughed. Yeah, right.

"I took my spot on the center and even stepped back a little, sinking the shot with ease."

"Show off," Trevor mumbled.

"Extra mile tomorrow after practice. Shouldn't take you that long. Your time for running a mile is 8 minutes."