Chapter 588: Jamlyn

Friday, March 3rd, Evening

She walked up into her room and turned on the TV. Pulling down the cover to her bed, she closed the bedroom door. She selected the game she wanted to watch. As the pre-game chatter started to fill the room, she shook her head and started to undress. She changed into her pajamas; they were worn and comfortable; she had showy stuff, but there was no one here to see her in it, so why bother? Looking in the mirror, topless, she looked at her left shoulder blade and the tattoo she got what seemed like a lifetime ago looked back. It was faded, but a simple heart with the numbers seven and twenty-two.

Ashlyn finished dressing when she pulled on her spaghetti strap heather gray tank top. She walked over to the bed and sat down. Ashlyn pulled on thick shocks, then turned into the bed; she pulled the covers over her lower body and looked around her bedroom.

After a sigh, Ashlyn picked up her notepad and reviewed the list. Tomorrow is going to be a packed day; they were going to have to drive to Fayetteville. Two hours on the bus each way. Ashlyn wondered who was going to police twelve high-strung Type A teenage girls. Her money was on it was going to be her job as the junior coach.

Ashlyn sighed and shook her head, looking over the list of everything she had to do before going to the High School. After looking at the list, she blew off some steam, threw off the covers, and got out of bed. She walked to the closet and pulled out what she planned to wear for tomorrow's game.

Walking over to the mirror over her dresser, she looked into her eyes. Her mind wandered to her experience that lifetime ago.

Olympic had doubled down on winning. Both teams were once undefeated; Olympic's loss came at the hands of Tree Hill, and Olympic wanted to be in the big dance, as did Tree Hill. They wore the neutral site black uniforms that night as they came out in their warmups. Ashlyn was the last, still hobbled by her surgery and on crutches. She took her spot on the bench and watched the game.

Olympic played without a center, waiting for the Cerberus Offense. They rotated a second defender on Angela all night, often leaving Mackenzie free in the paint. Faith and Kay took advantage, mostly Faith, as it took a while for the freshman Kay to catch on. Even Anna, mostly hopeless Anna, got into the outlet, passing to Mackenzie.

Of course, Olympic adjusted, but that left Devyn open now. Ashlyn sat on the bench as Kelly iced the game; Cara drove towards the basket but was blocked out. In a heads-up play, Cara passed the ball to Kelly on the baseline for a three-pointer.

At some point during the game, Angela sat beside Ashlyn and rested her hand on Ashlyn's to reassure her. During the long pause, Kay, Devyn, and Cara sat on the floor before them and just took in the moment.

Ashlyn remembered the game's last play, Olympic went for the basket. They drove on Mackenzie. The Olympic player pulled up for a mid-range jumper over Mackenzie. Big Mack rejected the ball, landed solidly, cliched her fists, her arms tense, and yelled as the final buzzer sounded.

The team swarmed coach Scott. After a minute, they swarmed their leader, Angela. This was big; they beat Olympic; not only did they beat Olympic, but they also did it to get to the Championship Game. Angela shook loose and looked at Ashlyn. Angela was all smiling. All Ashlyn could do was shrug.

Ashlyn cleared her mind and returned to her bed. The game was starting, and Ashlyn found she couldn't pay attention to the game. She did know they were playing in Orlando, and she had been to that building.

Leaning back against her headboard, she started at the screen blankly. Too much basketball made her feel burned out over it all. Not only did she have to coach tomorrow, but there was also another Miami game. She would have time to catch the Miami game, she hoped.

As the game went on, Ashlyn kept looking at her list. Finally, out of frustration, Ashlyn put the list down; she pulled out her book and started to read where she left off. But that was pulling away from her as she kept thinking about her time playing and the number nineteen.

That number was back on the court tomorrow, also worn by a co-captain. Baylee Miller, the starting shooting guard, was wearing it. Baylee was one of two of Brett's best friends who was the core of the Brett Pack. Ashlyn remembered being part of the group herself; they were called the A's, which were Angela, Ashlyn, and their friend Ashton Perry. The big difference is that Ashton never started, except in her senior year's last home game. Baylee, Brett, and Avril have formed the core of the starting lineup.

Ashlyn pulled out her smartphone and started to check the socials. She checked on the various members of the teams. Most of the girls were silent, which was a good thing.

One of the girls posted something. Ashlyn read them but wouldn't comment on them.

Bay#19: Can't sleep, nervous for tomorrow.

There was a reply.

CammieG#15: You need to get sleep; we need you tomorrow.

Ashlyn shook her head, sighed, and kept scrolling through the posts. Another one appeared.

FA48: Going to bed; I hope to see you in Fayetteville.

That was an excellent post to read from Faye Ambrose. Faye was going to lead them on the court tomorrow, so she needed to be rested and ready.

Another post appeared.

CoriC12: Can't sleep; we have a big game tomorrow.

Ashlyn was fed up and closed the app and put it back on the nightstand. Halftime was coming up, so Ashlyn got out of bed and into the house. As she left her bedroom, she grabbed her robe and started to slip it on, then finally tied the sash.

The first room she stopped at was Maeghan's room. Ashlyn's second daughter was sleeping already; her radio turned off. Ashlyn leaned forward, tucked Maeghan in, and kissed her good night on her temple.

Ashlyn checked Landen. He was still asleep, listening to his dad's game; Ashlyn kissed Landen goodnight and smiled. Ashlyn stood up and left the room.

The third stop was Logan's room. He, like his twin brother, was also in bed. Logan though was asleep. Ashlyn tucked him in, kissed him good night, and then shut off the radio and left the room. She closed the door behind her and walked across the house.

Ashlyn checked in on her niece Joplin. The radio was off, and Joplin was asleep. Ashlyn leaned forward and kissed Joplin good night. After adjusting the covers and left the room.

Ashlyn visited her nephew's room, AB's. The radio was playing the ballgame, but AB was asleep. Ashlyn tucked in AB and kissed him. As she left the bedroom, Ashlyn shut off the radio.

Ashlyn went back to her bedroom and took off her robe. She got back in bed and watched the second half of the game. Ashlyn picked up her phone and checked the next game; they were home tomorrow night. James probably won't call, so she sighed and put her phone down.