Triple Threat by Eric Walters Page B

anybody through the tinted windows. It slowed down and the passenger window glided open. It was JYD! Kia waved and he smiled and gave a little wave back.
    â€œHey!” Kia yelled out, and the players on the court turned around. “Our third player is here.” She pointed to the SUV. “He’s right there.”
    The guy looked in the direction she had pointed. He strained to see. “Where?”
    The door of the SUV opened and JYD climbed out. He gave a little wave.
    â€œThat’s … that’s … ”
    â€œThat’s our third player,” Kia said.
    â€œBut he’s … he’s Junk Yard Dog Williams!”
    â€œYeah, he is. You said we could get anybody we wanted, so we did.”
    â€œBut he’s in the NBA.”
    â€œYou said anybody,” Kia replied. “If you didn’t want us to get anybody in the NBA, you should have mentioned it.”

    JYD’s brother Johnnie and QTMC got out of the SUV as well. The three of them slowly sauntered through the gate and onto the court. They all looked big and serious and more than a little bit scary.
    Then JYD flashed one of his huge smiles and the tension vanished.
    â€œHow’s it going, everybody!” he called out, and everybody rushed forward, talking and holding out their hand for him to shake or a basketball for him to sign.

7
    It took a long time for things to settle down. JYD had signed everything that everybody had wanted him to sign. He even signed things for the three stooges. I almost wished that he hadn’t. After all, they were the enemy, the bullies we were here to beat. I wished he’d signed everybody’s stuff except for theirs. Then again, he’d signed their basketballs. Maybe after the game I could kick one of those balls over the fence and see how they felt about it.
    â€œThese guys can play some ball,” JYD said as we watched them finish up their game.
    â€œThey are pretty good,” I agreed. “But you’re a lot better … right?”
    â€œOf course he’s better. These are just good high school players,” Kia said, and I knew that she was right.
    â€œDo you think we can take them?” I asked.
    â€œThat’s not the most important thing,” JYD said.
    â€œIt isn’t?” Kia asked.
    He shook his head.
    â€œThen what is the most important thing?” I asked.
    â€œLots of other things. For example, it’s important that you and Kia think we can take them.” He paused. “Well, do you?”
    â€œWith you on our team we can’t miss,” Kia said. “I figure we’ll just keep feeding you the ball and then you’ll score.”
    â€œThat could work,” JYD agreed. “Just one problem with that plan. If I score all the points, what does that mean?”
    â€œIt probably means that we win,” Kia said.
    â€œWe’d win the battle, but you two would lose the war.”
    â€œI’m confused,” I said. “There’s no war here … at least I hope there isn’t.” I didn’t want to get into a fight with these guys even if JYD was on our side.
    â€œLet me explain,” JYD said. “These guys probably know that I’m a better ball player than they are.”
    â€œIf they don’t, they’re bigger idiots than even I thought,” Kia said.
    â€œLet’s not do any name calling,” JYD said.
    â€œSorry,” Kia apologized.
    â€œSo win or lose this game, it isn’t about how they feel about me and my game. It’s how they feel about you that counts.”
    â€œThey think we’re a couple of little goofs … is it okay for me to call us names?”
    JYD smiled. “It’s better to not put down anybody, including yourself. Maybe they do think you’re goofs. The big thing this game is going to do is make a difference in the way they see you two.”
    â€œIt will make a difference if we win,” Kia said.