Page 207 of Ruthless Court

Postgame interview.

I drag my attention from the stands.

“You finished with twenty-six points and eleven assists,” the reporter says. “What changed after the first quarter?”

Patience.

One more dribble.

Let the second defender commit.

A freshman archaeology major shaking her head every time I forced a possession.

“We stopped rushing,” I answer. “They wanted us emotional. Once we trusted the read, the weak side opened.”

“You appeared to be communicating with someone in the player section throughout the game. Perhaps a budding romance?”

Her smile turns knowing.

Behind the camera, the producer leans closer. They must be TMZ.

I keep my expression neutral.

“I communicate with my teammates. Other than that I have no idea what you are talking about. I was locked in.”

“There was a woman in glasses⁠—?.”

“That’s half the yellow-blazer retired grandmas working the tickets and seating.”

The reporter laughs.

“So no one special?”

“My love life stays off camera and off the court.”

That is all they’re getting.

She moves on to March, the standings, and my cleaner finishes going left. I answer where I’m supposed to, thank the crowd, then shake the hands reaching over the railing.

When the camera light shuts off, Hannah has been gone for several minutes.

Vale appears beside me with a towel around his neck.

“She ran.”

“She left.”

“Same result.”

“Where’s Stella?”

“Waiting by the tunnel.”

I look toward the security rope.

Stella is talking to an assistant coach. She catches Vale watching and gestures him to hurry.

He smiles like a man who has forgotten how irritating happiness looks from the outside.