Chapter 16: Little Bro

Drew PoV

The roar of the motorcycle filled the empty street as Drew revved the engine, navigating his way onto the highway. He loved the freedom of riding, the wind whipping past him, clearing his mind and allowing him to focus on the road ahead.

He thought back to the scrimmage earlier that day. The team was a mix of raw talent and potential, but they were far from ready. He had been a bit harsh, he knew. But he couldn't help but think about how much they had to improve if they wanted to make it to the Nationals.

He wouldn't have attended Kallen University if not for his family. He could have gone to a top-ranking university, played with a team that was already at the Nationals level. But his family needed him nearby, and so he had chosen Kallen.

The highway rolled out before him, the city lights a blur as he sped past. The ride was a nice distraction, but it couldn't fully take his mind off what awaited him at home.

Once he got home, he saw his young brother's bicycle in the lawn. He hoped he was doing well.

Taking a deep breath, Drew walked dismounted his bike and got inside.

"Big bro!" his little brother called out, running towards him with a beaming smile on his face. It was a sight that always warmed Drew's heart.

"Hey, champ. Missed me?"

His brother nodded enthusiastically, his eyes shining. "Yeah! How was the team?"

Drew wasn't sure what to say. He didn't want to admit that those trying out were subpar.

Drew sighed, a hint of guilt creeping in. "It was…interesting," he finally settled on saying. "A lot of potential, but we have a long way to go."

His brother looked thoughtful for a moment before breaking out into a wide smile. "But you can do it, right? You're the best!"

Drew couldn't help but smile slightly at his brother's unwavering faith in him. "I'll certainly try my best, champ."

He grinned. "I know you will."

"Alright, champ. Let's go see what mom cooked for dinner," Drew said, guiding his little brother towards the kitchen.

As they walked, Drew couldn't help but steal glances at his brother. On the surface, he looked like any other kid his age, energetic and full of life. But Drew knew better.

His brother had a disease similar to anemia, which caused him to suddenly faint and get seizures. It was a condition that required constant monitoring and care. And it was the reason why Drew had chosen to stay close to home.

Despite everything, his brother remained cheerful, his spirit unbroken. It was a source of strength for Drew, a constant reminder to keep going, no matter how tough things got.

Drew hoped to get a career in basketball and make a lot of money.

He dreamed of a day when he could afford the best treatment for his brother, a day when he wouldn't have to see that brave smile falter because of the disease.

As they entered the kitchen, the smell of home-cooked food filled the air. Their mother was busy stirring a pot on the stove, her back turned to them. But she must've heard their footsteps because she turned around, a warm smile gracing her face.

"Drew, you're back," she greeted, smiling. "How did the tryouts go?"

"They were... interesting," Drew repeated the term he'd used with his brother. "Some potential, but a long way to go."

A flicker of worry crossed his mother's face. "Is it going to be tough, Drew?"

"Probably," Drew admitted, his tone nonchalant. "But that's the fun part, isn't it?"

His mother gave him a skeptical look, but didn't press him further. She knew him well. Drew had always been a lone wolf, preferring to face challenges head-on without relying on others.

He smiled. "But there was an unexpected person there."

"Who?"

"Wilt."

She gasped. "As in the star of Blue Raven High?"

Drew nodded.

"Wow, that's unexpected," she said, her eyebrows lifting in surprise. "How was he?"

Drew shrugged. "Didn't get to see him play. Like me, he already got recruited beforehand."

"How does it feel to be in the same team as your former rival?" his brother asked.

Drew paused, considering the question. "Interesting," he finally said. "We've always pushed each other to be better. I guess now we'll do it as teammates."

His brother looked excited at the prospect, but his mother looked slightly worried. Drew knew she was thinking about the stress, the competition, the tension that could arise. But Drew wasn't worried. He'd always thrived under pressure.

They moved on to other topics as they started on the soup, a delicious vegetable broth that warmed Drew from the inside. It was simple moments like these that he cherished the most, the calm before the storm.

Once they finished dinner, Drew excused himself to get in some extra practice. The scrimmage today had shown him that he had a lot of work to do if the team was going to stand a chance in the Nationals. Even if he had to carry the team himself, he would it. Although with Wilt on the team, he knew it wasn't only going to be him.

He picked up the basketball lying in his backyard and began to dribble it.

The familiar rhythm of the bouncing ball was comforting, the steady thump against the concrete grounding him. He could feel his brother's eyes on him as he moved around the makeshift court, his small form perched on the swing set, a safe distance away.

Despite the cool afternoon air, Drew could feel sweat begin to bead on his forehead as he practiced his shots. He moved with a singular focus, each shot aimed with precision, each miss analyzed for improvement.

"Drew, try a three-pointer!" his brother called out, his voice filled with excitement. Drew grinned and nodded, backing up to the three-point line.

He took a deep breath, feeling the familiar weight of the ball in his hands. He could hear the distant sounds of the city, the occasional bird chirping, the sound of a car passing by their house. But all those sounds faded into the background as he focused on the hoop.

With a swift movement, he launched the ball into the air. It soared in a high arc, then swished through the net without touching the rim. His brother let out a whoop of joy, clapping his hands.

"See, I told you! You're the best!" his brother exclaimed, beaming at Drew.

Drew smiled back, feeling a sense of accomplishment. It was just a simple shot, one he had done countless times before. But it meant the world to his brother, and that made it all the more important.

He continued to practice, shooting from different spots, working on his dribbling and footwork. The sun was beginning to dip lower in the sky, casting long shadows across the backyard.

After a while, he took a break, sitting down next to his brother on the swing set. His brother looked at him with admiration, his eyes shining bright.

"You're awesome, Drew," he said, grinning. "Hope I can play like that one day!"

Drew smiled softly at his little brother. He knew that his brother, with his current condition, couldn't play.

"You're already awesome in your own way, champ," Drew said, ruffling his brother's hair. "And who knows? Maybe one day you will. We just have to keep hoping and fighting, right?"

His brother nodded, his smile never wavering. "Right!"

At that moment, Drew felt a surge of love for his little brother. Despite his condition, despite the challenges he faced every day, his spirit remained unbroken. He was Drew's biggest cheerleader, his source of strength and inspiration.