This moment has been my dream since I was a kid. But it didn’t come easy. I think back to the sixth-grade boy who didn’t make the team. To the seventh-grader who sat on the bench, invisible. No matter how many times I failed, I never gave up.
My failures didn’t break me. They built me.
Every setback, every rejection, every early morning on the court has carved me into who I am today.
Standing here today, on the same court as the greats, with the trophy raised high, is proof that no dream is too far out of reach if you’re willing to keep fighting for it.
My family and Annalise push past the reporters, surrounding me in a whirlwind of hugs. My heart swells. This moment is theirs as much as it is mine.
“Congratulations, Masashi. You made history tonight. We are so proud of you.” Otosan beams, his eyes shining with pride. He hasn’t missed a single game since we reconciled—not even the ones in New York.
Okasan cups my cheek. “It feels like just yesterday I took you to your first game. And now… look at you. I am so happy for you, Masashi.”
“I guess you don’t suck after all,” Asami teases with a grin.
I raise my brows. “I was gonna offer to pay for your honeymoon, but I guess I should put that moneyelsewhere.”
“Masashi, you are theGOAT!” she says, her tone full of sarcasm.
I laugh, rolling my eyes.
Annalise steps forward, her smile radiating joy. “You were amazing out there, Dimples. I had no doubt you would win the championship. I’m so glad I was here to witness it.”
I thread my fingers through hers, holding tight. “Thank you for always believing in me—for inspiring me to chase this dream. I wouldn’t have been able to do this without you by my side.”
Her eyes glisten with adoration. “You are phenomenal, Maddox. Your hard work and determination brought you here. I’ve never been prouder.”
“I may have won the championship, but having you in my life is the greatest prize of all.”
Lifting her chin, I capture her lips with mine, savoring the sweetness of this glorious moment.
The whole team, along with our friends and family, gathers at Blackout to celebrate our victory.
Drunk out of his mind, Elijah slings his arms over mine and Andrés’s shoulders, swaying as he belts out “We Are the Champions” by Queen.
We laugh and join in, soaking up the joy of this moment.
“Here’s to winning more championships! And to a lifetime of friendship!” I cheer, raising my glass of champagne.
We clink glasses and I take a sip of the bubbly liquid, the celebration fizzing through me just like the drink.
The last couple of months have been a relentless roller coaster, but it finally feels like the storm has passed. My suspicions about Lucas buying his way into the NBA turned out to be true. His father, Benjamin Hilton—one of the wealthiest men inSan Francisco—paid our general manager, Gary Thompson, a hefty sum to secure Lucas a spot on the team.
But that wasn’t all. With Benjamin’s money, Lucas hired someone to follow me—the same person who hit Chandler with the car and bribed one of my flight attendants to install a hidden camera on board.
Now, the truth is out. Lucas and his father will be spending the rest of their pathetic lives behind bars.
As for Charlotte, she posted a public video admitting she’d tricked Annalise into thinking I cheated on her. My reputation’s finally been restored, and Annalise and I are back to being theitcouple.
“So, I’ve got some news,” Andrés says, pulling his wife close with an arm around her waist. “Katie and I are expecting a baby.”
“Wow! I’m so happy for you two! Congratulations!” I say, hugging both of them.
“Congratulations, man!” Santiago beams. “There’s no greater joy than being a parent. Your life’s about to change in the best way.”
Andrés grins, pointing at me and Elijah. “Now you two need to hurry up, so all of our kids can have playdates.”
Elijah and I exchange a shared look of panic.
