Eva laughed, but there was no humor in it. “Of course. Replaced by Mya Brown. Again.”
The name carried weight for both of us. Mya had announced that the previous season would be her last in the professional league. She’d been coming off the bench, spelling Eva when she got winded or racked up fouls. But once she said she was retiring, the coaching staff and team ownership had made the call: start Mya, sit Eva. And when Chicago had come shopping with three first-round draft picks, Boston hadn’t been able to resist. Eva had been their prized rookie—first-overall pick, hometown hero. She hadn’t even lasted the season.
“You know it’s not a true replacement,” I said, trying to keep the earnestness in my voice from sounding like pity.
Eva didn’t respond, so I laced my fingers through hers and enjoyed the quiet. The apartment felt unusually calm without her mom’s ever-present hum of activity.
“Where’s your mom?” I asked finally.
Our apartment was generously sized, but not so much that Virginia Montgomery’s presence wouldn’t be noticeable.
“She ran out to the store. Probably going to reorganize the pantry next,” Eva muttered.
I smiled faintly. The thought of her mom auditing our spice rack was both horrifying and completely believable. But the reminder of practice tugged me back.
“Speaking of weird—Briana’s worried you’re going to sue the league over your injury.”
Eva blinked, her head snapping toward me. “What? Why would she think that?”
“I don’t know,” I shrugged helplessly. “People sue each other, I guess.”
Her brow furrowed. “I’m not coming after her league. We all take on a bit of liability every time we step on a court. A pick-up game. A jog around the neighborhood.”
I hesitated with my next question. It had been sitting at the back of my mind ever since the diagnosis of her injury. “Would you have said yes to playing in the league if we weren’t together?”
“I’m a big girl, Lex—I make my own decisions. I’m not in the habit of doing things I don’t want to do. The league was a smart investment,” she admitted. “A generous paycheck for a handful of games, plus equity in the league. That alone would have been hard to turn down. Plus, I was kind of hoping to help my relationship with other players in the league.” She wrinkled her nose. “I’vesomehowgotten a reputation for being cold and unapproachable.”
I squeezed her hand and smiled. “Aw, baby. You wanted to make more friends?”
I heard her sound of displeasure. “It sounds so dumb when you put it that way,” she huffed. “You’d think me falling in love with America’s Sweetheart would have endeared me to them.”
“What’d you call me?” I practically guffawed.
“Oh, you know you’re Middle-America’s Basketball Princess.”
“I have never … in my whole life …” I sputtered.
She looked entirely too pleased with herself, which only made it worse.
“Middle-America’s Basketball Princess,” I repeated, still sputtering. “If you ever call me that in public?—”
“Oh, I will,” Eva promised, smug as ever.
I threw a pillow at her, but she caught it one-handed. Her grin, for once, was unguarded. Clean apartment or not, I didn’t mind making a little mess.
Breaking News:
Eva Montgomery Out Indefinitely After ACL Injury
Miami, FL— Eva Montgomery, one of women’s basketball’s brightest stars is set to miss an indefinite period after suffering a torn ACL during a 3x3 league game on Friday night. The injury was confirmed by sources close to Montgomery, and it is expected to require surgery followed by extensive rehabilitation.
While the injury is devastating for Montgomery herself, it also highlights growing concerns about the risks players face when competing outside of the women’s professional league. The Miami-based 3x3 league, a new and increasingly popular competition, has attracted top talent from across the basketball world—but it’s not without controversy. Players like Montgomery have expressed interest in expanding their careers and income streams by playing in the off-season, but the women’s pro league does not guarantee contracts for players injured during non-league activities, such as those in the new 3x3 venture.
This has raised the stakes for athletes trying to balance multiple commitments in different leagues, with little protection if something goes wrong. The tension between the women’s pro league and this new off-shoot opportunity is becoming more pronounced. Montgomery’s injury could further complicatethe already sensitive issue of player safety and contract negotiations.
As the women’s league approaches its next round of CBA talks, the issue of injuries sustained while playing for rival leagues is expected to be a key point of discussion. Players may demand stronger guarantees from the league—especially in terms of compensation and job security—if they are injured while participating in off-season competitions.
With the current CBA negotiations on the horizon, Montgomery’s injury could have far-reaching consequences for the future of the league and its players. As it stands, the league’s stance on injuries sustained in the off-season could become a bargaining chip in upcoming talks, with players seeking more protections and assurances for their careers beyond just the regular season.
