Page 209 of Ruthless Court

Noah sprays deodorant beneath both arms.

“You searched the stands like she’d been kidnapped.”

“She left without saying anything.”

“That happens after games.”

“I’m not used to it.”

Eli pulls on his shirt.

“Maybe she doesn’t enjoy watching you discuss yourself.”

“Not helping.”

“I’m providing context.”

My phone has no message from Hannah.

I type one.

Delete it.

Try again.

Delete that too.

The media coordinator appears in the doorway.

“Haverhill. Press room.”

I shove the phone into my pocket.

Eli whistles.

“Try not to ask the reporters whether they’ve seen Bookworm.”

I flip him off and leave.

The formal press conference takes another thirty minutes.

Coach sits in the center. Vale and I take the chairs beside him. Camera shutters fire before the first question.

Reporters ask about conference standings, postseason expectations, Vale’s rebounding, and my improved reads.

Then a man near the back raises his hand.

“Kane, clips are circulating of you interacting with a woman in the player section. Any comment?”

Vale drops his head to hide a smile.

Coach looks at me.

I lean toward the microphone.

“She was a guest.”

“Girlfriend?”