Free Blitz (Emerald City/Black Family Saga Book 1) by Felicia X. Scully Page A

twenty-two. Twenty-three in June.”
    “Oh, my. Don’t you look young for your age.”
    I force a smile. “Get that all the time. Good genes, I guess.”
    I glance at Ray and he offers an encouraging smile.  
    “And, you never mentioned, what’s your alma mater again?” She asks as she serves Kristen.
    “My what?”
    “You’re school, dear. Where did you get your certification?”
    “Oh…I didn’t. I’m, I guess you could say, home-trained.”
    She stares hard at Ray, over the Reverend’s head. “Any plans for the future?”
    “School?” I ask. “Not unless I win the lottery.”
    I laugh. Ray and Reverend Baker join in, as Kristen and Sheila exchange glances.  
    “Or, if your poor cousin wakes up, you can sign Ray,” Kristen says. “I’m sure that’ll come with a nice bonus.”
    “No doubt,” I reply.
    “So,” Reverend Baker’s voice booms across the table, just as I’ve finally managed to cut a piece of steak and pop it in my mouth. “Why don’t you tell us more about Miss Clarke’s work at Baldwin & Mahr, Sydney. Why should my boy take your deal?”
    I wash the chewy piece of meat down with a several swigs of sweet tea and pat the corners of my mouth with a red-and-white -checkered napkin. “Reese has worked with the best,” I reply. “Rick Jones, Farley Stuart, Joey Nichols. Those are some of the top guys in the league. Not to mention Lamar Carmichael, Reggie Wilder and Shanice Richards. The biggest NBA and WNBA contracts in years. She makes sure every deal is airtight, matches every client with the right endorsement—you never have to worry about compromising your integrity. Like she always says, if she has to sew a gold star on your ass, she will.”
    Shit.
    Mrs. Carlson lets out a dry cough and Kristen stiffens beside me. When I catch a glimpse of Ray, he’s doing his best to hide a smile behind an ear of corn.
    “I apologize,” I lick my lips and turn to Mrs. Carlson. “It’s just a thing she says. That was rude. I’m very sorry.”
    “See what concerns us, Sydney,” Reverend Baker continues, seemingly unaffected by my guffaw. “Is Reese’s inability to preform at all right now. I’ve met her and I’ll be the first to tell you I like her style. I think she’s great for Ray, here. But that doesn’t change the fact that she’s…unresponsive.”
    “She’ll get better.” It comes out sounding more like a plea. “I know she will. She’s been improving everyday and the doctors say—”
    “While I appreciate your confidence in her recovery,” his mom cuts in. “There are no guarantees. William Mahr has already begun to dissolve her roster. He sees the importance of ensuring B and M clients get the best they have to offer. While she may have maintained that position for quite sometime, Miss Clarke simply isn’t the best right now. She’s nothing.”
    There is heaviness in my chest that I can’t push away. I am quickly growing tired of a fight I cannot seem to win. And truth be told, when I put myself in their shoes, when I hear things from that perspective, I can’t help but agree. From where she lies, Reese can’t do a thing. No matter how good she is, no matter what she promised. She can’t. I believe she’ll wake up. I believe deep in my heart she’ll bounce back but, like she said, there are no guarantees.  
    I stare down at my barely touched plate, then back up at Ray. “I’m sorry to have wasted your time. I know how much this means to you. Guys like you work very hard to get to where you are and your family’s right. Jeopardizing it, based on a gut feeling, isn’t worth it.” I push my chair back and rise to my feet. “If I could just use your washroom first, I’ll let myself out.”
    Mrs. Carlson looks happier than I’ve ever seen her. The worry lines on her forehead are completely smoothed out and a faint smile plays on her lips as she sips her glass of tea, before resting it quietly on the table. “Right through there.” She points to