Chapter 124: Staples Center

Friday, January 6th, Evening

There are fun games to go to, and not so fun games to go to. Tonight, if you are a Miami Heat fan it wasn't a fun game. On the other hand, if you were a Los Angeles Lakers fan it was a great night. Not only did the Lakers beat the Heat 127-100, but it also avenged a loss. The bright spot for the Heat was James Scott had a decent game. James Scott was also cheered by some of the crowd because of his dad but was also booed because he subbed the Lakers to stay in Miami.

Outside the crowd collected as normal by the player's entrance. Dr. Candace "Candi" Scott, MD, and her friends, Dr. Fawn Cabot, MD, Dr. Madyson Longford, MD, and Ms. Daniella Pina-Craven, RN, stood among the crowd by the security fence waiting. It was a relatively warm night, and everyone could see Daniella's number 12 Laker's Jersey with the name Scott on the back. Candi, on the other hand, had put on her jacket to cover over her number 32 Miami Heat Jersey, which also happen to say Scott on the back.

"I don't know if I prefer this or netball," Madyson said, her Australian accent clearing coming through.

"Basically the same game," Candi replied.

"It's more different than you think," Madyson said.

"You played in college didn't you?" Candi asked.

"I did play a little in Uni," Madyson said.

"We should play some time," Candi said.

"Oh no, you're too rough for me," Madyson said.

"Chicken," Candi teased.

"So what are we doing?" Madyson asked.

"Meeting James," Candi said.

"Candi, are you sure about this?" Madyson asked.

"What are you asking about, Mads?" Candi asked, not sure which part of the conversation Madyson was referring to.

"Us meeting James here," Madyson said, "I see Paparazzi floating around here."

"I'm not worried about it," Candi said, with casual indifference.

"Yeah, the people that know James and Candi would know they're family, and we're just friends," Fawn said, adding to Candi's indifference.

"So, we're really going to meet James Lucas Scott? The Son of Nathan Scott, my favorite player of all time," Daniella said, starting to sound like an excited school girl.

"That's the plan," Candi said, scanning the crowd.

"Wow," Daniella said, "I've never met an NBA Player before."

"Me either," Madyson said, feeding off Daniella's excitement.

"They're no different than us," Fawn said.

"How do you know, Fawn?" Madyson asked, not accepting Fawn's indifference.

"I've met James before," Fawn said, "As a matter of fact, I've also met Nathan."

"Not to mention Angela, Ashlyn, and Kay who all play in the WNBA," Candi said.

"True," Fawn said.

"You did?" Daniella asked, "You met Nathan Scott, when?"

"About four years ago," Fawn said, figuring out the timeline.

"Why?" Madyson asked.

"She went home with me for a family thing," Candi said.

"What happened four years ago?" Madyson asked.

"I re-record my pop-princess album," Candi said, deflecting the question.

Madyson laughed, "You're not going to keep denying it?" she asked.

"No, hell, I'm even thinking of asking my Aunt Haley to send me a copy of my album for all of you," Candi said, with a laugh.

"You're half-serious, aren't you?" Madyson asked.

"Half mad too," Fawn said, under her breath.

Candi shrugged, "Maybe," she said.

"I'm in on this," Madyson said.

Just then the players started to come out. The four-woman pressed closer to the security fence and watched. They saw James walk out dressed in a suit and a bag slung over his shoulder. He stopped and greeted a few fans, several of them young children. He sighed a few autographs and even posed for a few selfies.

Finally, James came over to Candi and company. Walking over to Candi, they hugged each other over the fence and looked each other over. There were many camera flashes when they did this.

"You look very good," James said, "Been taking care of yourself I see."

Candi laughed, "I am a doctor after all," she said.

"I know, my Mom keeps reminding me of how accomplished you are," James said.

Candi shrugged, "You had a good game, by the way," she said.

"Yeah, just wish the team played better overall," James said.

"Y'all will figure it out," Candi said.

"I hope so," James said and turned to Fawn, who was standing next to Candi. They also hugged, "Fawn," he said as they broke apart.

"James," Fawn said, with a smile.

"You're looking well," James said.

"Thanks, and so are you," Fawn said.

"You're welcome," James said.

"James, these are my friends Madyson and Dani," Candi said.

"Nice to meet you," Madyson said.

"Wow," Daniella said.

"Nice to meet you ladies," James said, and turned to Candi, "See you at my hotel?"

Candi nodded, "That's the plan," she said.

"Bring your friends, we'll get drinks, and catch up," James said.

"Of course, see you there," Candi said, and let James had to the bus, and she led her friends away from the fence.

"We're having drinks with James Scott!" Madyson said, excited, and maybe too loud.

"Oh my god, yes we are," Daniella said when it hit her.

"It's not that exciting," Fawn said, with her casual indifference.

"Why do you say that Fawn?" Madyson asked.

"I've had drinks with him before. Also, James is the least interesting of Candi's relatives, he's downright milk toast," Fawn said.

"Is that true, Candi?" Madyson asked.

Candi shrugged, "It depends," she said.

"On what?" Madyson asked.

"On how you base what is interesting," Candi said.

"She has a point," Daniella said.

Madyson shrugged as they got to the car. The drive to the hotel wasn't that bad, and they did manage to find parking, eventually. The four young medical professionals entered the hotel and waited in the lobby. Candi had texted James to let him know they were there and waiting in the lobby.

James came down to the lobby dressed in a fresh suit and looked around for the four women. Once he saw them, he crossed the lobby to greet them, and lead them to the hotel bar. In the bar, James found them a booth, and he sat at the end of the bench that wrapped around the circular table. A waitress showed up when she saw one of the special guests there and took their drink order.

"So, I know how Fawn and Candi know each other," James said, "So, how do you know Candi and Fawn?" he asked the two other women.

"We're housemates," Madyson said.

"I work at the same hospital as they do," Daniella said.

Candi laughed, "Mads rents one of the bedrooms in Fawn's place, and Dani is a nurse," she added.

"Really Candi? I could've figured that out," James said.

"So, James how are you related to Candi?" Madyson asked.

"Mads right?" James asked.

Madyson nodded, "Yes, you can call me Mads," she said.

"Where are you from, Mads?" James asked curiously.

"Melbourne," Madyson said.

"I've been there," James said.

"Really?" Madyson said.

James nodded, "I played in the FIBA World Cup there," he said.

"Did you enjoy your time there?" Madyson asked.

"I did," James said.

"Oh yeah," James said.

Madison smiled, and James nodded. "We're cousins," he said.

"What?" Madyson asked.

"We're cousins," James said, "Our Dads are brothers. You asked how Candi and I are related."

"Oh, I forgot," Madyson said.

"We also attended Duke together for a couple of years," Candi said.

James laughed, "Candi also helped me transition to point guard, and taught my daughter how to play basketball," he said.

Madyson looked at Candi, "Oh really, that versatile?" she asked.

Candi nodded.

"So, James, how could Candi, work, have a crazy work out program, go to school, play basketball, and be a pop-princess?" Madyson asked.

James laughed, "When did that come out?" he asked.

"Another roommate guessed it," Candi said.

James laughed, "Should I tell them, let your secret out?" he asked.

Candi shrugged, "We all have our crossed to bear," she said.

"In high school, Candi was all work and no play, she would work out, go to school, play basketball, go right to the studio, and right back to working out," James said.

"She was saying she was going to have Aunt Haley send her some of her albums," Madyson said, "Who's Aunt Haley?"

"My Mom," James said, then turned to Candi, "What was the name of that album?"

"Lynnsantity," Candi said.

"I think I might have my copy, back in Miami," James said.

"So, the Aunt Haley we keep hearing about is your mother?" Madyson asked.

"Yes," James said.

"Your father is Nathan Scott, right?" Madyson asked.

"Of course, it is," Daniella said.

"So that makes your mother…" Madyson said.

"Haley James Scott, the musician," Daniella said, cutting off Madyson.

"That would be correct," James said.

"Oh my god, Candi, why did you hide this?" Daniella asked.

Candi shrugged, "Wasn't important," she said.

Fawn was just smiling and casually shaking her head.

"So, your Aunt Haley is the famous Tutor Girl? Oh my god!" Daniella said.

"No wonder, you kept quiet about it," Madyson said.

"It's not like it affects me," Candi said.

"So, that means your father is Lucas Scott, who rights all those Ravens books," Madyson said.

Candi nodded, "Yes, it is," she said.

"Is your mother Peyton Scott, the founder of Red Bedroom Records?" Daniella asked.

"No," Candi said.

Daniella and Madyson looked at Candi confused. Candi just let it sit there. Before they could say anything, the waitress finally brought over their drinks. This was much to Candi's relief as she didn't want to have to explain the twisted family tree. James had it added to his card. He looked over and smiled. "Saturday, I can go to the hospital with you, Candi, I got it all cleared," James said.

"Thanks, I know he'd appreciate the visit," Candi said.

"That's the boy that needs heart surgery?" Fawn asked.

Candi nodded, "Yeah," she said.

Before anyone could say something a tall woman around James' age walked over. Candi looked up at her and rolled her eyes. She pegged this new woman as a basketball groupie.

"James Scott?" the new woman asked.

James looked up at her, "Why yes, I am," he said.

"I thought that was you when you walked into the bar," she said, "I saw you were in town."

James nodded, "That I am," he said, "Usually a couple of times a year."

"You don't remember me," she asked, sounding more than a little disappointed.

"Honestly, no," James said, "Should I?"

"It's Sierra," she said.

James nodded and thought for a second or two. Candi noticed the gears turning behind his eyes. Over his eleven-year career, James has probably met a lot of women, and he would need to remember them.

"Sierra, oh wow! It's been how many years?" James asked.

"About maybe sixteen years, give or take," Sierra said, "And I go by Sierra Mack now."

"Wow, you look well," James said.

"Thanks, so do you," Sierra said.

"Well, my job keeps me in shape," James said.

"I see that," Sierra said.

"Well, if you excuse me, I'm catching up with my cousin and some old friends," James said.

"Okay," Sierra said and left.

Once she was out of earshot Daniella was the first to say something. "Oh my god, James Scott called me an old friend," she said.

Madyson shook her head and laughed.

Candi looked at James, "Who was that?" she asked.

"Just an ex-girlfriend from before Ashlyn and Tree Hill," James said.

Candi just nodded and sipped her drink. The rest joined her.