Story:Surprise! (A Baylor Story)
Surprise! (A Baylor Story)
Written by Xenos Blade
The Baylor name couldn’t be hotter than ever before.
After finishing up his rookie contract, the young polar couldn’t imagine having a better start to his incredibly young career. Having a team doing everything they can to trade up for him to pick him 2nd overall in 2023, to finding himself in the finals not once, but twice. Back to back, all in 2 years is what any fur would have dreamed of accomplishing.
For Brandon however, there were still a few things he would have liked to nab that he felt he deserved. For starters, winning Rookie of the Year, and he wasn’t very quiet about it either.
“Of course, it had my name written all over it!” He told a reporter after the award ceremony was over. “It’s all good, just another reminder we’re in a twinkle-toe league.”
That did not sit well considering that he finished second in voting, and resulted in all the negative attention. His boisterous arrogance grew him to be someone people hope will get humbled in some shape or form, and he definitely did very quickly in the finals from a “twinkle-toed” bear that ended up winning Finals MVP that year.
Brandon’s frustration was very clear after not being able to get the job done, especially with fans and critics alike blaming his overconfidence and underestimating the moment. Pointing to the last game of the series with his head sulking after being fouled out for the rest of the game.
Even with all the noise, the young bear wouldn’t let it phase him when talking about his final performance.
“The refs didn’t like me tonight. It is what it is.” Baylor said with a smile on his face. “Just know that we’ll be back again and we’ll look good while doing it.”
Well he was right… only for Vegas to lay an egg again at the biggest stage. While Brandon had a much better showing individually averaging 16pts, 10rbs, 2.6 blks per game in this series, the Wildcards were clearly outclassed as they lost in 6. Losing two out of the three home games in the process.
With another disappointing end to a fantastic season, the bear was not satisfied with the results. And he made it very clear once a reporter asked him about his plan now that he’s going into free agency.
Brandon gave a deep sigh and shrugged before responding with, “I don’t know… but what I do know is that I’m tired of getting 2nd place.”
—
Even after the amazing start to his career, Brandon was starting to lose a little patience with the Wildcards ever since he said those words. With the ‘Cards sending a contract with his first year in the single digits, he knew they weren’t serious in bringing him back. Could it have been the last thing he said after the finals ended? Maybe, but he didn’t care in the slightest. While his agent has been scouring around to see what the interest is, it came down to 2 teams that came with very serious offers. He was back home in Alaska in an apartment he deemed his thinking cave, a place where he can lift weights and listen to whatever music he can to calm his nerves. Once he heard a ring tone as he was doing his weight squats. He raked his set up and dragged himself to the other room, but accidentally hit his head on the top of the door frame in the process.
“Augh FUCK…” Brandon groaned.
Being a young polar bear has its quirks. It’s not unusual to see them take up space, especially if their last name is “Baylor.” However, Brandon’s luck of the draw may have been a bit too lucky as his body seemed to grow immensely in size. Even his personal trainers couldn’t believe the amount of adjustments he had to make over the past couple of years. As he grew another 4 inches and had to accommodate with gaining another 40lbs to adjust. This young bear was towering over everything, nearly reaching 8 feet! For Brandon, it just meant more headaches.
Brandon lowers his head a bit to go into the main hall to pick up his phone to see that it was his agent, Daisy.
“Heeeey, teddy beeeaaaar!”
The bear groaned and pinched the crease of his nose. “Didn’t I say not to call me that.”
“Didn’t I say, ‘I will if you doubled my percentage?’”
“You did, and then I told you to ‘suck my dick.’”
“And I said, ‘Been there, done thaaaaaat.”
The two laughed over the phone. The two knew each other for a long time. They may have had a fling or two… or five during his freshman year in college. While they never dated necessarily, Daisy was more than just a friend with plenty of benefits. He was also one that related to what Brandon was going through as being seen as a nepo baby with his mother owning the Sport Garden Agency. So to him, it made sense to have Daisy as his agent so they can both prove that they can do more than what their respective parents have done.
“What ya got for me D?” Baylor said as he leaned against the wall.
“Well I got two things. One of them being a surprise,” Daisy said teasingly. “Want the surprise first or last”
“Give me the basic news first.”
“Well Lorain came in with some more fire in their step in their latest offer to ya, $58 for 4 years.”
“Holy shit, for real????”
“Mmhmm…”
“Fuck Ye- OW”
Brandon couldn’t help but jump a bit too excitedly as he hit his head on the ceiling. Daisy bursted out laughing when he heard a large thud.
“HAH! Don’t forget that you’re a lot of bear, hun.~ Besides I haven't shared the real tea…”
“What is it?”
“Heh, so Vegas called.”
“Oh so Frankie finally got her head out of her ass and started talking seriously?”
“Ummmm… yes and no.”
“The fuck do you mean ‘Yes and No?’”
“What I mean is that yes, Vegas is talking seriously about you… but not about coming back.”
The bear gave a pretty low growl when Daisy told him that. A lot of questions were going through his head. ‘How are they gonna drop after damn near carrying their asses to the finals back to fucking back?’ ‘How the fuck am I the issue when I did my part while everyone choked?’ ‘Do they not want to go back to the finals a 3rd year in a row?’
“Hush Brandon, I’m not finished. Frankie teamed up with someone to give an offer that may interest you quite a lot.”
“And that is…?”
“You might want to step outside for this one.”