Rachel Demita had been out shopping with her friends. Christmas sales were practically irresistible to girls. But when she realized the Grizzlies were playing the Pacers today, she rushed straight back to her dorm and turned on the TV.
As she took off her coat, Rachel cursed herself for being so stupid as to get the game time wrong.
She'd thought the Grizzlies and Pacers weren't playing until tomorrow. If she hadn't remembered in time, she might have missed Link's first game with the Grizzlies.
Rachel still remembered the text Link had sent her the day he left Oklahoma: "Don't miss the Grizzlies' games."
She really didn't want to miss it. Like Upshaw, Link was one of the pillars keeping her from giving up on her dream. She couldn't keep running away. She had to overcome her difficulties and return to basketball. Link was the one who made her decide to pick up again everything she loved.
After a brief commercial break, the TV finally showed Conseco Fieldhouse. Rachel sat cross-legged on the couch, instantly transforming from a sexy goddess into the girl next door.
The first quarter was almost over, and the score was tied. The Pacers had just called a timeout, which was why they'd gone to commercial.
I probably haven't missed his show yet, Rachel thought. After all, Link hadn't even made the Grizzlies' roster for their last game, and she had no idea when he'd get on the court today.
Little did she know, the camera had already given Link a close-up. His number zero jersey stood out on the screen, and he was drenched in sweat.
Link's stats appeared at the bottom of the screen: 6 points, 1 steal, and 1 assist; 2-for-2 from the field and 1-for-1 from the line. On TV, Jeff Van