บท 177: Hanging Out With Fans

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~~~(POV: Ulysses Kennedy)~~~

~~~(Date: October 23rd, 2026)~~~

~~~(Location: Rucker Park, New York)~~~

~~~(Time: 11:38 AM)~~~

"That's game!"

From the side of the court, a man calls out my shot from beyond the 3-point line. There is a clean swish, and that marks the end of the third game I've played today at Rucker's. My team is keeping court; we haven't lost yet.

Not like we will lose with me on their team, but it's more about having fun. My phone has been blowing up from multiple people. All of whom don't like the idea of me being here alone.

The Knicks Front office has been trying to get ahold of me, but they're not able to get through. Mainly on the premise I'm not answering them. When you're as good a player as me, you're allowed certain privileges.

As another game is about to start, there is commotion coming from the entrance to Rucker. Wanting to see what's up, my attention is drawn. There, I see Brunson making his way onto the court. Wasn't expecting one of my teammates to make it here after seeing the post.

But hey, having fun with the fans of New York is something we should do. It'll go a long way in the end, and being good to the community you're in is important as a player.

"Well, look who decided to show up. Didn't think anyone would come, let along consider it."

Bruson is the second-best player on the Knicks team; it's important that we're good teammates. I wouldn't be surprised if more Knicks players showed up after Brunson.

"After you post, I figured it could be fun to come out here and play with people dumb enough to play into this weather."

He's not wrong; it's the New York chill. As I said before, being from Oregon, it's not hard. But that doesn't mean it's not cold. Some people are on the sidelines shivering, and others are sweating through their clothes from the games we just played.

"This could be fun, you want to take a team, and I'll take a team."

A good way to get some practice in, even though today is an off day for us.

~~~(POV: Ellie)~~~

~~~(Date: October 23rd, 2026)~~~

~~~(Location: Riding In Limo, New York)~~~

~~~(Time: 12:03 PM)~~~

"Yes, I know that you don't want him playing outside without security. But I'm not Ulysses's keeper. He's allowed to do what he wants. If you don't want him playing street ball with fans, you gotta add it to his contract or something."

Before I can hear a retort, I hang up the phone and release a long sigh. Hannah reaches over and rubs my back in support. Turns out, the Knicks Org can't get ahold of Ulysses, so they're trying to use me as a proxy.

"Sometimes, I think he does these things on purpose to cause me trouble. He knows they're going to call me, and I know he enjoys making things annoying for me."

Hannah can't help chuckling a little as I vent my own frustrations about what's going on at the moment. In the end, it is a little funny. Ulysses doesn't do it consciously, and that makes it endearing. It's hard to be mad at him when he's like that.

We're on our way back to the apartment, and I can tell Hannah wants to ask me something that's bothering her.

"Out with it. What's on your mind?"

She looks at me, a little embarrassed. I'm not sure what this is about. I can only assume it has something to do with their relationship.

"I was hoping you could teach me how to cook Ulysses's favorite breakfast. I want to make him it tomorrow before he has to leave."

Ahh, learning to cook for your loved one. Ulysses isn't a good cook, and neither is Hannah. It's been me making all the meals at home. Eventually, they'll have to learn to do it themselves. But that's neither here nor there at the moment.

"Of course, but make sure you tell Ulysses that it's your first time making it. You don't want to give it to him without him knowing you haven't cooked it before. It'll set the expectations too high."

I hope Ulysses is having fun and will be home soon. I am a little worried about him. Who knows how long he'll be at Rucker's for...