Chapter 73

• Noah's POV:
• The echo of basketballs bouncing across the court still lingered in the air as we wrapped up the evening rehearsal game. The team had gone hard today, sharper plays, quicker footwork, more grit. I felt it in my muscles, the familiar sting of soreness and satisfaction. But as I leaned against the wall near the locker room, wiping the sweat from my face with a towel, I knew the night wasn’t done yet.
• Sophie had been watching me all evening. Subtle at first, lingering near the benches, laughing too loud at nothing, eyeing me whenever she thought I wasn’t paying attention. But I had caught the cues, and frankly, I was tired of playing dumb.