AllFreeNovel
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It’s the first time I’ve felt competitive drive in months.
Miles fist-bumps me, and I drag off my T-shirt too.
“Let’s go,” I say, dribbling.
I remember my conversation with Nova while we played the video game. I pick people who’ll love playing together. The earnest simplicity of it got to me.
We go two-on-two for a bit, the kids hollering. Miles and me against Rookie and Atlas. Adrenaline pounds through my veins, competitiveness giving way to sheer enjoyment.
“Can’t take me,” I taunt Rookie.
“Watch me. I’ve learned a few things in the off-season.”
“Not all of us have been playing golf,” Atlas says.
Back and forth, up and down the court. Passing. Weaving. Blocking. Shooting.
“You have been practicing,” I say to Rookie when we all pull up and head for the side of the court, panting. “I might have to watch you play this year.”
“Because the end of last year was a shit show.” Rookie grabs two towels, tossing me one.
I scan the horizon, the hill next to the lake, the mountains in the distance. “Nova watched every game.”
Rookie’s smile fades. “No shit. Well, I’m not watching you play this year.”
“Why not?”
“Because you should come back and play with us,” Miles says.
I laugh. “You’re joking.”
But the guys only look at one another. “Nah.”
It’s an insane idea. Coming back.
“You too attached to LA?” Atlas asks.
I shake my head.
“The schemes don’t work the same without you. Kyle’s a scorer, but he doesn’t watch where the rest of us are,” Miles says, and Atlas nods.
“You space the floor. You see gaps in offense as well as the defense.”
Okay, so my ego doesn’t hate this.
“The coaching staff will come up with schemes. Harlan will fill gaps,” I tell them.
“Yeah, right. There’s only so much they can do,” Atlas says.
“Let’s play for it,” Rookie decides. “One-on-one. First to ten. We win, you come back.”
It’s insane. There’s no way to enforce it, but it’s for pride.
I shove a hand through my hair, tugging on the ends. “First to ten.”
Hollers go up from the crowd watching, and we take our positions.
The past few days, I’ve been playing around, but it’s been safe. Now, there are stakes.
