Chapter 10 - The Apology Ethan Didn’t Want Filmed
By the next morning, the security video had thirty million views.
Not the whole incident.
Only twelve seconds.
Officer grabbing Ethan.
My ball hitting the hardwood.
Me running across frame.
Who gave you permission to touch my son?
The clip cut before Ethan dropped his courtside pass.
Cut before the officer apologized.
Cut before the envelope.
Every network wanted me.
Every sponsor wanted a statement.
The arena asked if Ethan would sit in on a meeting with security leadership.
I asked him.
He said yes.
Then:
“No cameras.”
So there were no cameras.
The security officer's name was Paul Raines.
Forty-five.
Six years at the arena.
He sat across from Ethan in a small conference room wearing plain clothes.
No uniform.
No radio.
He looked smaller without the authority.
The security director started speaking.
Raines interrupted.
“I want to say it.”
She stopped.
He looked at Ethan.
“I grabbed you before I checked your pass.”
Ethan nodded.
“I decided you didn't belong there.”
Another nod.
Raines swallowed.
“I said something I shouldn't have said.”
Ethan looked directly at him.
“What did you mean?”
Raines hesitated.
The room tightened.
“By kids like me.”
Raines rubbed his palms.
“I saw a kid alone in an expensive section with a backpack. You didn't look like you were with anyone.”
“That isn't what you said.”
“No.”
“What did you mean?”
I wanted to answer for him.
I didn't.
Raines looked at Ethan.
“I meant a kid I had already decided wasn't supposed to be there.”
Ethan waited.
Raines didn't dress it up.
“I was wrong.”
“Would you have grabbed an adult?”
Raines looked down.
“Probably not.”
Ethan nodded slowly.
The security director explained that Raines had been removed from floor duty pending review.
I said nothing.
Afterward, outside the room, Ethan asked:
“Are they firing him?”
“I don't know.”
“Do you want them to?”
I thought about it.
“Yesterday I did.”
“What about now?”
“I want them to decide based on what happened, not because I'm famous.”
Ethan looked at me.
“That sounds like Mom.”
“Don't ruin it.”
He smiled a little.
The team media director approached.
“We can put out a short statement now.”
I looked at Ethan.
He shook his head.
I told her:
“Say Ethan met with security privately. Say he does not want to be part of further media coverage.”
“Anything about Raines?”
“No.”
“Fans are asking.”
“They can ask.”
She left.
Ethan and I walked toward the practice facility.
Then Dana Whitaker came around the corner.
“Caleb.”
I stopped.
She looked at Ethan.
“Can I steal your dad?”
Ethan said:
“He comes back.”
Dana raised an eyebrow.
“Deal.”
He walked toward the lounge.
Dana waited until he was out of earshot.
“Marcus's agency called.”
“I’m meeting them tomorrow.”
“That's not why.”
“What happened?”
“One of the teams Marcus contacted reached out directly.”
I frowned.
“They're not supposed to—”
“To us, not you.”
“What do they want?”
“To know whether yesterday's family incident changes your availability.”
My jaw tightened.
“Why would it?”
“Because Marcus told them your family had already agreed a move might be best.”
I stared.
Dana continued.
“They're prepared to move quickly.”
“I didn't approve that.”
“I know.”
“Tell them I'm not available.”
She watched me.
“Is that your answer?”
“Yes.”
“Basketball answer or marriage answer?”
I almost snapped at her.
Then didn't.
Dana nodded toward the lounge.
“Don't make the same mistake in reverse.”
I knew what she meant.
Don't stay just to prove I wasn't leaving.
Before I could respond, my phone buzzed.
A message from Marcus.
You can fire me tomorrow if you want.
But before you kill the deal, ask Nora whether she actually wants you back in that house.
May you like
I looked toward the lounge where Ethan was waiting.
For the first time since the envelope, I realized I had assumed coming home and being wanted home were the same thing.
