Double Team Read Online Free Page B

players flew toward the rim and slammed one down. It was that kid Jammer.
    â€œWow,” I said.
    Seeing him dunk when he was warming up was one thing. He had all the time — and steps — he needed for that. But doing it in a game was something else. He had to spot the opportunity and be ready for takeoff.
    â€œCan’t wait till I can do that,” said Mike.
    â€œMe neither,” said Deuce.
    Mike and I both looked at him. We smiled.
    â€œDeuce, man,” said Mike. “You’re, like, five foot nothin’. That’s going to be a long time from now. A very long time.”
    â€œNo way,” said Deuce. “I’m going to do it tonight.”
    At first he seemed serious. Then he broke out into a big smile, too: “As soon as I fall asleep and start dreaming!”
    We all laughed. It felt good to laugh with my friends again. We settled in to watch the rest of the game. It was like sitting outside a chain-link fence at a construction zone and watching some heavy-duty demolition work. Jammer was the wrecking ball.
    The other team just couldn’t stop him. And he wasn’t fighting for the ball either. His teammates were workinghard to get it to him. I was going to say something about it, but I didn’t. We were all getting along again, and they were watching the same game I was. I’m sure they saw what was going on. And I had something else to say anyway.
    â€œSee that guy by the fence?” I said, pointing to Omar.
    â€œYeah,” said Deuce.
    â€œSure,” said Mike.
    â€œYou know who he is?” I said.
    â€œNo, who?” said Mike.
    â€œNah, I don’t know,” I said. “I’m just asking. I think he was watching our game, too.”
    â€œThe whole time?” said Deuce.
    â€œYeah, I’m pretty sure.”
    â€œProbably just a fan,” said Mike.
    â€œHe looks pretty serious for a fan,” I said. And it was true. He was watching the game like he was trying to memorize it, and he wasn’t cheering or anything like that. He’d just nod every once in a while, like when Jammer made a really good play.
    â€œMaybe he’s an official or something,” said Deuce. “He looks kind of familiar, though.”
    â€œYeah, right?” I said. “That’s what I was thinking.”
    â€œYeah, well, I’m thinking your brother just arrived,” said Mike, changing the subject.
    â€œJunior’s here?”
    â€œYeah,” said Mike, pointing toward the parking lot. “Just pulled in.”
    I looked over. The first thing I saw was his familiar red car. Then I saw Junior unfolding his big frame from the driver’s seat.
    â€œCool,” I said. “He must’ve taken the afternoon off from his job to come watch us play.” I leaned forward and started to stand up. It was game point down on the court, and Jammer was about to put the other team out of its misery. “You guys want to come say hi with me?”
    The crowd cheered as Jammer’s jumper went in. I smiled, pretending they were cheering because Junior had shown up. It was better than what that cheer really meant: Jammer’s team had just advanced to the semifinals, too. We might have to play them.
    â€œNah,” said Mike. “I’m starving and need to, like, ‘hydrate’ myself.”
    â€œMe too,” said Deuce. “We’ll probably run over to the store and grab some lunch.”
    We all headed down the bleachers. “Grab me something, okay?” I said as I veered off toward the parking lot. Mike said something, but I didn’t catch it through the other people heading down out of the bleachers. I figured he’d just said yeah. We always grabbed food for each other. It was, like, standard procedure.
    â€œWhat’s up, STAT?” called Junior when he saw me. “You guys still in this?”
    â€œYou know it!” I said. “We’re in the