Homecourt Advantage (30 page)

“He messed your credit up that badly with his gambling?” Casey asked, her heart going out to Trina.

Trina nodded her head.

“What did he have to say about it?”

“Nothing,” Trina said, averting her eyes.

“Nothing?”

“I haven’t said anything to him yet. I’m too afraid. He doesn’t know that I found out about his gambling problem. His agent told me. Rick would be furious for my meddling in his business if I mentioned it to him.”

“His business? Has he forgotten that—” Casey began, and abruptly stopped herself as the Gossip Queen, Robin Stillman, assistant to First Lady Alexis, plopped herself down at their table. It was pathetic, Caseythought, how Robin mirrored Alexis Mitchell’s image, except Robin was the black version of Mrs. Coach. She tried so hard to be like Alexis, from the way she dressed to her mannerisms to her flawless costume jewelry, which was copied from her idol’s original pieces.

“I hope I’m not disturbing you girls.” Robin was not an unattractive woman, though her gossipy character often caused people to describe her as such. She was midfortyish and always looked like she had just spent the day at a Georgette Klinger day spa. Her hair and makeup always looked professionally done, and her smooth brown complexion stayed clear.

Trina looked at Casey and rolled her eyes, ignoring Robin.

“No, Robin, I’m about to go downstairs in a minute anyway,” Casey said, clearing the table of her napkin, Coke can, and utensils.

“Aren’t you going to wait for Remy to get here? You usually do.”

“She only came into town for the team dinner party, then she flew right back out. She’s on a mini tour right now.” Casey was careful to keep any inflection out of her tone.

“Really? You mean to tell me she’s going to miss the entire championship series?” Robin raised her eyebrows in what could only be described as a smirk—Robin’s eyebrows were sneering!

Casey knew Robin was well aware that Remy had returned to her tour. But her goal in life was to know everyone’s business and report back, trying in the process to poison Alexis’s opinion of them.

“She’s just hitting a few major cities, so she may get to see the last couple of games.”

“Ohh, I see. What about Lorraine and Dawn? What’s their—Oh, pardon me, we all know why Dawn isn’t here,” Robin snickered. “I warned her not to pop up on the road. Poor girl, she’ll learn. But what about Lorraine? What’s her excuse? Alexis is not going to be pleased.”

Casey tried not to snap at Robin as she ignored her comment about Dawn.

“Their excuse? They both work. You know, they have jobs. And most of the time, their hours are unpredictable.”

If Casey had been Kelly, say, or maybe Trina when she got angry at the referees for making calls against Rick, she would, without a second’s thought, have wrestled Miss Nosy Body to the ground—andmaybe squashed a grapefruit half in her face to match Robin’s sour attitude.

Robin had the hide of an elephant and she was like the Energizer Bunny: she kept going and going until she got what she wanted.

“Well, we all know why Kelly’s not here too, don’t we?” Robin began with a wicked laugh. “The whole city knows!”

“Do we?” Trina dryly said to Robin.

“Come on now, Robin, why would she show up after pressing charges against Steve?” Casey said, looking at Robin as if she had lost her mind. “If she showed up, the whole team would lock her out. There isn’t a member of the team who believes her story, whether there’s any truth to it or not.”

“Truth! Ha! There’s no truth to her story. She’s been pulling the wool over all of our eyes,” Robin said, nodding her head as if agreeing with herself.

“Well, none of us know what really happened,” Casey said. Even though she believed Steve was innocent, she felt a twinge of loyalty to Kelly.

“Kelly has been completely discredited as far as I’m concerned. I can’t believe that she lied to all of us about Diamond being Steve’s daughter. Now, that’s wrong,” Trina said.

“How much do you think she and Daryl got for that story to the
Daily News?”
Robin asked.

“Really, Robin! You don’t know that Kelly had anything to do with Daryl’s exposé to the papers. He could have just been trying to make a quick buck on his own. Not that it makes it right.”

“Talk about making a quick buck, Casey, isn’t that what Kelly has been doing since Diamond was born? Making money at her child’s expense? Claiming her daughter was somebody else’s child?” Robin said matter-of-factly, pulling out her case and fixing her lipstick.

“My God, Robin,” Casey said, feeling her stomach turn.

“Well, truly, Casey. How do you think poor Steve feels in all of this? Having that copy of the paternity report plastered on the front of the
Daily News,
proving without a doubt that the daughter everyone
else
thought was Steve Tucker’s child was actually fathered by this Daryl character. And that horror show of a person Daryl saying that Steve thought he could steal his daughter from him just because he was a big-time sports star. I mean, it’s absolutely scandalous! And I don’t care what anyone thinks, I bet Kelly and Daryl are in cahoots in this whole fiasco. This was probably her last-ditch effort to milk the situation since Steve dumped her.”

Casey had felt hurt and betrayed since the truth had come out. She was in shock. She did not understand why Kelly would tell such a huge lie to everyone. Was that why Steve had broken off their engagement?

Casey couldn’t completely turn her back on Kelly, though, not yet. “All that doesn’t mean she was lying about him battering her, and you know what? I really don’t feel comfortable talking about this. Kelly’s not here to defend herself. Let’s just drop it.”

“You know what they say,” Robin said, ignoring her, “once a liar, always a liar. Why would Kelly be telling the truth now?” Robin placed her lipstick back in her purse.

Trina stood up and looked directly at Robin. “You know what they say, Robin: once a gossip, always a gossip.”

It looked like Trina had pierced the elephant’s hide. Casey only wished Trina could stand up to Rick in the same manner she did to Robin.

Casey followed suit and quickly rose from the table as Robin was still recovering from Trina’s verbal blow.

“You heading down, Trina?” Casey asked.

“I guess so. The air is bothering me in here.” Trina said, crinkling her nose.

Casey was surprised and felt pride for Trina as they worked their way toward the Family Lounge exit.

“Now, Trina, if we could only get you to handle Rick like that,” Casey said.

“Who are you telling?” Trina laughed.

“You’ll do it when you’re ready.” Casey felt bad for the new friend she’d made this season. Here she was, a pregnant housewife trying to take care of her family and start her own business with no support from her husband. Not only a nonsupportive husband, but one who had a huge gambling problem as well. Yet Trina was still trying to move forward with her life. Casey admired her courage. Maybe it was timefor her to take a trip to the Land of Oz and get a little of her own from the Wizard.

Casey sat in her seat and wished she could feel some of the excitement that permeated the Mecca. There was a buzz in the air as the Flyer City Dancers, dressed in miniature Statue of Liberty outfits, passed out purple and black towels to the excited crowd. Hoping to psych herself up, she glanced around at the other courtside seat occupants. There were so many celebrities in attendance, it could have easily been a night at the Oscars or the MTV Awards. Shaquille O’Neal and the Los Angeles Lakers facing off against Brent Rogers and the New York Flyers in the NBA finals was enough to get Halle Berry, Bill Cosby, Tom Cruise, Demi Moore, Whoopi Goldberg, and Vanessa Williams to show up at the Mecca. And more superstars were there, Casey was sure.

Once again Leonard Hightower was sitting boldly in Star Row, flanked by his muscular, redheaded henchman on one side and his stunning child bride on the other side. Casey wondered how long it would take for this young beauty to become a member of the Second Wives Club. Hightower had shown up at every game since the play-offs began. He always arrived in a flurry, making a big scene with Secret Service-like escorts and media blitzes attempting to converge around him whenever there was a time-out on the floor. Casey noted, though, he never spoke directly to the press at the games. Rather he calmly sat back rubbing his young wife’s leg and licking his chops.

Casey’s mood didn’t lift, though, especially after she’d seen Hightower and his cronies. He was unrelenting. Many of the celebrities waved and smiled at her, but she was lost in her thoughts about Brent, their marriage, and what it would mean if the team was sold and relocated. She had no intention of leaving her job in New York City. What would that mean for Brent’s roving eye or even hers, she thought, recalling the debacle with Gregory Patrick. But Brent had taken it further than her—a lot further. Not only had Brent been unfaithful to her, but he had lied to her one too many times. It seemed as if a true reconciliation was next to impossible, at least on her part. How could she ever trust him again?

Nikki’s mother had still not returned and had since asked Brent if they could keep her for a while. Casey had no idea what “a while” actually meant. At first Casey thought she would hate the intrusion. She had four cases going, along with her controversial photographer’s censorship hearing, which was looming before her. Taking care of Nikki for only a short while meant it would be pointless to look for good day care. They settled for their live-in housekeeper, Martha, and the teenage baby-sitter who looked after Brent, Jr., when he was in town. Martha usually looked after Nikki while Casey was working, but she knew Martha wasn’t stimulating Nikki’s intellect. Casey had actually taken a few sick days and watched Nikki herself at home. But as it turned out, Casey didn’t mind Nikki living with them. She was actually a sweet, well-behaved little girl, but Casey was still convinced that Brent had planned the entire visit. She didn’t believe Nikki’s mother’s claims of being ill as the catalyst for this extended stay. Casey was tired of second-guessing everything Brent said or did.

“Casey,” said a man’s voice from beside her.

“Yes?”

“I think your husband is trying to get your attention.”

Casey turned toward where the man was pointing and saw Brent across the court. “Thanks,” she said as Brent waved to her. Then he blew her a kiss.

Casey suppressed a smile as she blew a kiss back to her husband. Why did he have to be so romantic when she was angry at him? He continued to stare at her for what seemed like minutes, and finally he began to make silly faces until she bróke into a smile.

Casey turned away from him as the announcer, Bud Zanny, began to unenthusiastically introduce the Los Angeles Lakers. She spotted Alexis standing behind the Flyers’ bench, looking impeccable as usual. She was wearing a dramatic flowing camel-colored Valentino coat dress. The fabric stopped inches below the top of a pair of long black suede boots. She realized that she had not noticed Alexis in the Family Lounge before the game started, which was unusual. Normally Alexis would be right in there taking stock of all the wives like dogs before a show. Her absence tonight was even more peculiar as this was the first game of the finals.

Alexis stared at her husband, completely enraptured, as he assembled his players to get them ready for their official introduction. Alexis’s awe of her husband was larger than life. A painting of them would have had to portray her as only a shadow standing behind the man. Alexis had remained by his side for all these years despite his relentless philandering and who knew what else.

Alexis embodied one of Casey’s worst fears: she was scared that she might become like a shadow standing behind her husband. Oh, that’s absurd, she told herself for the millionth time. Casey would never lose herself in Brent or his career, nor would she want to overlook his infidelities. Still, a little voice inside her continued to nag: she did stay after Brent’s one-night stand. Was she becoming desensitized? The thought was chilling.

The lights dimmed for the laser show that preceded the introduction of the Flyers.

As Casey watched the ceremonies, she noticed that although Steve was suited up, he was not among the starting players introduced now. Coach must be punishing Steve for Kelly’s assault-and-battery charge—true or not. At any other time during the season, it would not be surprising for Coach to use such tactics to put a player in his place, but now? It was risky to say the least.

In Steve’s absence, Rick Belleville, the second-string center, was going to jump for the ball against Shaquille O’Neal. Rick was clearly too short and too old to be a fair match against the Shaq. Why hadn’t Coach substituted Kyle? He sometimes played backup center. The Flyers may as well have just handed the ball to the Lakers.

The game progressed at a faster pace than usual, with the Flyers and the Lakers basically trading baskets. Shaquille was responsible for the majority of the Lakers’ points. One of the strengths of the Flyers was their deep bench, which was stocked with experienced veterans; the Lakers had a younger team, but they had less play-off experience, a mandatory ingredient to winning an NBA championship.

Throughout most of the game, there was never more than a five-point difference in the score. With Steve Tucker on the bench, Shaquille was having his way with Rick Belleville, dunking over him almost every time he went to the basket. He was also outrebounding him, fifteen to three. Casey kind of felt sorry for Rick. It was embarrassing for him, especially since the crowd had begun to chant Steve Tucker’s name, in hopes of him replacing Rick in the game.

What was the coach thinking? He even could have tried a technique the Flyers had used in the past when both their centers, Steve and Rick, had been injured or having off nights: he could have rotated Brent or Collin into the center position; both were better rebounders than Rick. If Coach wanted the team to win the title, now was not the time to be teaching costly lessons.

Fortunately, Brent, Paul, and Michael were taking up the slack, keeping the Flyers in the game. Collin, who was regularly a force, seemed strangely lethargic, even distracted, tonight. Casey kept catching him glancing across the court into the stands. Collin needed to be concentrating on the game he was playing.