Page 30 of Never Say Never
I walk to my couch and collapse into the soft pillows. I might as well be physically comfortable during this not-very-enjoyable conversation. “You’re much smarter than me at this side of the business.”
“Just more experienced.”
He pauses, and I let him think for a minute without interrupting.
Finally, he continues. “Are you set on Mom representing you?”
“Yes? I mean, she knows me so well, and who else is going to look out for me like she does?”
“Avery, it might be hard to hear, but I believe she’s out of her depth. There’s so much money at stake, your entire financial future potentially. And there are people who are masters at handling these negotiations.”
Dylan is nothing if not direct, which is familiar and comfortable—we both appreciate that side of each other. And I know he has my best interest at heart, so I try to stay open to what he’s saying.
“Like Aiden?”
“Yes, for one. I’m sure he’d talk to you today if you wanted to pick his brain. Mom could still be part of things too. She doesn’t need to stop being involved.”
“I’ll think about it.”
The last thing I want to do is hurt Mom’s feelings.
But the stakes are as high as they’re going to get.
Can I really afford not to explore my options?
Once in thelocker room before our game, I try to shut down the thoughts swirling around my head. Maybe later I can ask Sarah for advice, but now I need to prepare for the task at hand, winning our first regular season bout.
Right before we’re about to hit the court for warmups, I hear my phone buzz and pick it up. Turns out I’ve missed a few texts—from Jack, Remy, and Wells, all separately wishing me good luck. The UConn team chat is also blowing up with excitement.
Running out of time, I text a smiley emoji in response to each message and put my phone away.
A short while later, we step onto the court for warmups.My first official game in the WNBA.Everything I’ve been working for.
And I want to help the Surge win, truly. It’s not just about me.
So far, most of my teammates have been cool, which adds to that feeling.
Having Sarah in my corner has helped a lot on that front. My other teammates seem to have accepted me readily as a friend of hers. It also means I’ve relaxed quicker than I would naturally when meeting new people. Become comfortable faster because she’s around.
I’m not a natural leader. My default focus on personal goals has kept me from assuming that role organically in the past.
One of my AAU coaches gave me a good trick though.Go out of your way to praise one teammate every day.I make it a daily task, like any other, and that way I’ll remember to spread some love.
It worked great in high school and college, and with time, I built real friendships with my old teammates.
Here with the Surge, though, it feels awkward to praise older women who also happen to be pros. So I’ve let the veterans do most of the talking.
“Same starters as the last preseason game,” Coach Anker confirms when we gather back in the locker room after the initial warmups.
That means I’m coming off the bench. Which isfine, I tell myself.
In competitive basketball, there are five people on the court for each side, usually two guards, two forwards, and a center. With twelve people on a WNBA team roster, players come in off the bench as substitutes, though it’s normal for the standard rotation to be more like seven or eight people total.
There’s been a ton of media coverage discussing whether I’d start today. Such is my life. But if Coach Anker doesn’t think I’ve earned it yet, I’ll suck it up.
The dynamic makes me even more determined to fight for that starting spot. So far, all signs are that I’ll be the first one off the bench each game, so I’ll get decent minutes at least.
A couple of my teammates shoot looks to Katrina Dawes. She’s a fifth-year player whose shooting guard spot I’d take in the starting rotation, and she, for one, hasnotwarmed up to me.
