Against the Odds

28

Miranda walked up the bleachers holding Zac's hand. She took a seat not too far from Ben and Mariah.

"Hi, Mommy." Mariah cheered, sliding past Ben so she could come to her.

"Hi, honey." Miranda smiled kissing her head.

"Hi, Mr. Zac." She waved.

"Hey, Riah." He waved back, smiling.

"Hey, Benjamin Warren." Miranda addressed.

"Good evening Mrs. Warren, Zac." He greeted the both of them.

Miranda rubbed Zac's leg because she could tell he was bothered by what Ben just said. He didn't even acknowledge him back.

"Where's Mia?" She asked to change the subject.

"Down there with her friend." Ben pointed and they saw her sitting in her practice clothes with Abby.

When the game got started Miranda watched intently. She was glad basketball was her ex's thing because she was able to understand the game after he told her everything years ago. She was truly a sports mom. She had Warren 13 on the back of her shirt and on the front, it read basketball mom with the O in mom as a basketball.

"This is a good game. He's really good." Zac whispered in her ear.

"Thanks, his dad trained him. I'm glad you could come today."

"Me too. I know your son doesn't like me very much."

"I think he just needs to get used to you being around. This is new for all of us." Miranda whispered, leaning into them.

Ben couldn't help but glance over at Miranda and her boyfriend. Even though it's been almost 2 years, seeing her like that with someone else broke his heart. She seemed to really like the man, maybe she even loved him.

Looking back to focus on the game his eyes followed Ben's every move down the court. Suddenly a player much taller and bigger than him, gave him a forceful shove that sent him falling to the ground.

Miranda gasped and stood up quickly watching her son wince and grab his knee. She quickly moved to walk down the bleachers until Ben called her name.

"He's ok Mama Bear you don't need to go down there. Calm down." He assured, looking at her panicky expression as the sports medicine doctor came over with the coaches.

"Ben don't tell me how to be. Some big kid just knocked my baby over. They don't know what they are doing. I'm a doctor."

"Miranda you are going to embarrass him. The boy was playing good defense."

"Obviously he wasn't playing that good if he fouled him."

"We knew this was going to happen when he joined the AAU team. Everyone is not the same age."

"Well, I don't like it." She huffed.

Miranda remained standing, squinting her eyes across the room. She watched as the woman moved his leg back and forth. Bj looked across the room and gave his mom a thumbs up, he knew she was worried.

Miranda nodded and smiled at him before sitting back down. That was all she wanted. They all watched as he got up and walked to the foul line and did his free throws.

Once the game was over they all stood waiting for Bj. When he came over he hugged Miranda tightly, sweaty and all. He was truly a mama's boy.

"Hi honey you did so good." She grinned. How's your knee?"

"It's fine. It still stings but.."

"Ok soak in the tub tonight instead of a shower. It might help some." She suggested.