Homecourt Advantage Read Free Page A

us,
especially
since the lurking buyer is Hightower Enterprises.”
    Casey knew that not only was Leonard Hightower a bigoted, right-wing zealot, he was also known for acquiring sports teams as if they were toy trains. He treated his players like machines on a southern plantation.
    “We’ve got to bring home the championship! Our boys need complete concentration during the play-offs. They get enough distractions from outside sources; they don’t need to get it from home too! We need to be on our jobs.”
    “What exactly are you saying, Alexis?”
    “It’s really quite simple, dear. The Flyers women need to stay out of the way. We should not be asking to meet our mates on the road for away games. You know how that can be such a distraction. And at home, the women need to stay in the background, and, Casey, I need your help to get through to them on this. You can teach them better than I can. I’m hoping you can help them get involved with activities of their own. Maybe then they won’t be so eager to disturb the boys. Do you think you could handle that, Casey?”
    “Boys” again! Who the hell did Alexis think she was?
    Casey swallowed hard before she answered, reminding herself that she was talking to her husband’s boss’s wife. Very carefully she said: “First, I don’t know how I can motivate the other wives to get involved in independent activities. That’s a personal decision; I can’t be responsible for their lives. Second, I have a career, Alexis, and I don’t have time to play house mother.”
    “I know you can’t change their outlooks on life, Casey. That would be like getting water from a rock, but they admire you. If you could just get them to understand that this is a do-or-die season, then maybe they’d be willing to cooperate,” Alexis said in her syrupy voice.
    “What are you proposing?”
    “I want to encourage the ladies to arrive at the home games on time dressed in presentable attire, and I want to make sure that no outbursts occur with any of the fiancées or girlfriends during the play-offs. I want to ensure that the ladies are up to par on their etiquette. We’ll have a few public engagements, and I want to avoid any embarrassments. Whatever their personal problems may be, they can wait until after the season has ended. I think that’s a small price to pay for a championship title and the team remaining at the Mecca Arena where it belongs. I think you know better than anyone how to get through to them.”
    Casey was speechless at her audacity. She knew that Alexis was prone to outrageousness, but this approached the ridiculous. Everyone was supposed to forget that they have a personal life and instead center their lives around the Flyers.
Yeah, right.
    “Excuse me, Mrs. Mitchell.” A servant appeared, interrupting them. “A few other ladies have arrived and the parlor is properly prepared.”
    Casey watched as Alexis jumped from the sofa and straightened her clothing. She then readjusted her diamond charm bracelet. Casey followed suit, feeling disgusted and defeated knowing that Alexis held all of the cards. That was usually the case with her and Coach.
    “Casey, I need to know if you’re with me on this.”
    Casey reluctantly nodded her head before she answered Alexis. “I’ll see what I can do,” she said, feeling as if she had made a pact with the devil. But what could she do? Her husband, her marriage—both were involved.
    “Wonderful!” Alexis beamed, changing face once again. “Oh and there’s one more thing. I’m glad to see that you and Brent have finally worked out your problems, especially about the little girl.”
    “Excuse me?” Casey said.
    “I saw Brent with the little girl and, I believe, her mother in Boston.”
    “What?” Casey felt the floor dropping beneath her.
    “She’s really a precious little thing. Brent looked so proud. He really dotes on her. I’m glad you can be generous enough to let him involve her in his life. You’re a fine