That's South Side

Chapter 14

Jimmy tried everything: calling, texting, he even went to her house to try and talk to her. But nothing. He felt awful, he didn't know what to do.

Nerves shook his body as he made his way into the practice facility the following day.

"Jimmy." Dwayne nodded, spotting him on their way inside.

"Hey." Jimmy sighed.

"Relax." Dwyane nodded sympathetically, as Jimmy explained everything that went down, "Hey, man." Wade greeted Taj, as the whole team was on the court for a team scrimmage that day.

"Hey." Taj responded shortly, not even looking at Jimmy.

Jimmy just let it go, figuring Taj probably just needed some space right now. It was 'work time' now anyways.

The beginning of practice was alright, the two kept their space. Until, a play in the practice where Taj passed up a wide open pass to Jimmy.

"Man, what the hell?" Jimmy asked, putting his hands up.

"What?" Taj mumbled.

"You saw I was wide open." Jimmy retorted.

"Guys, relax." Wade warned.

"So, what?" Taj questioned, "You think you can just have whatever the hell you want? Maybe someone else wanted the pass?"

"Seriously?" Jimmy crossed his arms.

"You don't get it do you?" Taj asked angrily.

"Alright, what the hell is going on?" Fred Hoiberg, the head couch interjected.

"Taj," Jimmy ignored everyone else, "It wasn't personal."

"It wasn't personal?" Taj laughed, "Seriously?" He asked, pushing Jimmy away from him. Jimmy snapped right then and there, and without a second thought shoved him back.

"Hey, hey!" Wade interjected, breaking the two apart.

"You two," Coach Hoiberg said at the two, "Come on."

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"What the hell is going on?" Jerry asked, as they all gathered in his office.

"Shouldn't Alinea be here?" Fred whispered.

"She's not in." Jerry shook his head, "She's out this week, so we have to take care of this on our own." He said, to everyone.

"Okay," Coach Hoiberg began, "What's the deal?"

No response.

"Really?" Jerry said unamused, "Taj, don't make me get Alinea in here to straighten this up, she-"

"We broke up." Taj said bluntly.

"What?" Jerry asked in surprise, "Why?" He couldn't help himself but ask, Alinea was like family to him.

"Why don't you ask him." Taj said, referring to Jimmy.

"Look," Jimmy began, "This isn't something we should be bringin here."

"He's right." Coach Hoiberg said, "but you two did bring it into work, and now you need to fix it."

"I need you two," Jerry said, getting up followed by Fred, "To sit in here and work it out." He ordered, "If not, neither of you are starting against Orlando on Saturday." He threatened.

The two other men left – leaving Taj and Jimmy in there all alone. It was silent for a few moments, both not really knowing what to say.

"Taj," Jimmy began, "I'm sorry." He shrugged.