Fast Break (Brooklyn Monarchs 1)

Jaclyn smiled. “How is our favorite financial advisor?”

“Busy taking care of his accounts.”

“That’s good to hear.” Jaclyn paused as the young mother with the sobbing toddler stopped in front of her. Jaclyn nodded toward the little girl. “Will she be all right?”

The mother nodded. “She lost her teddy bear.”

Jaclyn looked at the little girl. Silent tears streamed down her flushed, rounded cheeks. “I’m sorry, honey.” The little girl returned her gaze with wounded big green eyes. “I’m Jackie. What’s your name?”

“Tiff.” The watery whisper was barely audible.

“Tiffany.” The mother extended their two lunch plates.

As she nudged vegetables onto each of the dishes, Jaclyn noted the two tote bags that dragged on each of the thin woman’s shoulders. Heavy makeup didn’t mask the bruises on her face, nor did the limp, honey-blond hair swinging loosely to hide her features. Tiffany’s mother moved on to Violet, checking to make sure her daughter kept up with her.

Violet added mashed potatoes to both plates. “Enough about me. How was your meeting with the Empire owners’ lawyers?”

Jaclyn looked away from Tiffany and her mother. She scowled. “The lawyers told me Gerry and Bert want to end the arena contract so they can move the team.”

Violet gasped. “Are you kidding me?”

“No.” Jaclyn served another guest.

“Where do they want to go?”

She shrugged, checking the clock. She’d have to return to her office soon. “Someplace where they won’t be competing with another basketball team. Gerry likes the sound of the Nevada Monarchs.”

“Nevada?” Violet sounded as baffled as Jaclyn felt. “Have they gotten any offers?”

“He wouldn’t tell me.”

“I can’t believe them. Is Bert really on board with Gerry’s plan?”

Jaclyn had been wondering the same thing. “I haven’t spoken with him yet.”

“Jackie.” Her former teammate’s tone demanded her attention. Violet’s eyes were dark with concern. “I know you’re upset. But, if you’re going to save the team, you’ve got to keep your emotions on the sidelines and approach this problem as a business.”

That pulled Jaclyn up short. “I am treating this as a business.”

“Then why don’t you know whether Gerry has an offer from another market?”

“He wouldn’t tell me.” Jaclyn pursed her lips. “And I was too upset to push.”

“You’ve got to ask. Gerry’s decision to move the team isn’t an emotional choice. It’s a business decision. You’ve got to treat it the same way.”

“You’re right.”

Violet used her serving spoon to gesture toward Jaclyn. “You can start by reclaiming your position as general manager. Your grandfather made Gerry interim GM when he was sick and you were taking care of him. Gerry’s been interim for almost two years now. You need to take your spot back before Gerry grows roots.”

Jaclyn relaxed slightly. “I know. I wasn’t ready before, but I am now. I gave the firm my two weeks’ notice this morning.”

“Good for you.” Violet’s eyes twinkled. Color warmed her cheeks. “You have to regain control. Gerry and Bert are on the verge of destroying everything your family helped build. You need to stop them.”

Jaclyn nodded. “I’ve also got to figure out a way to increase the franchise’s revenue.”

Violet smiled as she added potatoes to another plate. Concentrating on Jaclyn’s problems seemed to lift her spirits. “Pre-sales will shoot up with the Mighty Guinn taking over as head coach.”

“Maybe for the first game. But to sustain sales, we’ve got to win.”