“Yeah?” Tru’s brow arched, curious.
“Scrawny kid. Quiet. Hella talented, but always looked like he didn’t think he deserved to be there.”
Tru’s lips twitched. “Oh?”
“Used to sit on the edge of the court at recess with a sketchbook,” I said quietly. “Looked like he’d vanish if you stared too hard. Always got picked last.”
He blinked. I couldseethe moment it hit him. “You remember that?”
“Of course I do.”
He hesitated, gaze softening. “I didn’t think you noticed back then.”
“I did,” I said, my voice rougher than I meant. “I just didn’t know what to do about it.”
He nudged my shoulder, his smile shy. “You’re not who you used to be.”
I met his eyes. “I’m trying not to be. Trying to live my truth. Like you. Guess I’m done hiding behind the game.”
He ducked his head, cheeks flushed pink, and for a second, my whole chest went tight.
We left just after sunset. Tru had glitter on his shirt and one of those pipe-cleaner bracelets looped around his wrist. He didn’t seem in any hurry to take it off.
I shoved my hands in my jacket pockets, trying to look casual. “Coach pulled me aside yesterday.”
Tru looked over. “What for?”
“Said he’s proud of how far I’ve come this season. But more than that…” I exhaled. “He told me I’ve got a way with people. That I light up around the younger players. Said if I ever wanted to make a career out of something that matters, I should think bigger than just playing.”
Tru’s eyebrows rose. “Bigger how?”
“Program director, inner-city youth orgs, writing grants, reclaiming old courts, and building new ones. Real change, not just pep talks.” I kicked a rock with my sneaker. “He even said he’d connect me with a mentor if I was serious.”
Tru was quiet for a moment. When I looked over, he was watching me like I’d just undone some part of him with a single sentence.
“You’d be good at that,” he said softly. “Really good.”
I swallowed hard. “You think?”
“Iknow.”
It was the first time I’d seen Tru look at me as if I might become something bigger than he imagined. That spark of hope gave me the courage to believe.
CHAPTER 36
TRU
Be careful what you wish for. Sometimes, you get it—and it costs everything.
It wasafter midnight when we snuck onto the soccer field.
The sky was smeared with stars, and slushies and laughter buzzed through us. It was the kind of night that felt endless even though we knew it wouldn’t last.
It wasn’t often we got the chance to be together—to beus—carefree and happy and falling in love outside the secrecy of our room.
Dare had his hoodie on backward, on purpose, because I told him it was hot. He said, “Yeah?” and flipped it around like he was in an Abercrombie ad, grinning the whole time. I swear I fell a little harder in that moment.
“Come here,” I said, tugging him down to the grass.
