My throat tightens. “He said he would.”
Blakely’s eyes soften. “And Logan?”
I roll my eyes so hard it’s practically self-defense. “Logan’s not the main character.”
Jade’s grin turns wicked. “He is in your brain, though.”
I glare. “Shut up.”
Jade laughs, unbothered. “It’s your birthday. You’re not allowed to glare at me on your birthday.”
“I’m allowed to do whatever I want,” I snap automatically.
Blakely’s mouth twitches. “That’s…very you.”
Jade points a finger at me. “Also. We have cupcakes.”
I blink, looking at Blakely. “You brought cupcakes?”
“Webrought cupcakes,” Jade corrects, offended. “Coach already approved it. He said if you miss one free throw tonight, he’s making you eat two.”
“That’s not how nutrition works,” I mutter.
“That’s howpunishmentworks,” Jade says brightly.
I shake my head and stand, rolling my shoulders like I can physically shake the heaviness off. “Okay. Can we just…focus?”
Jade salutes. “Yes, Captain.”
Blakely squeezes my hand briefly. Quiet. Solid. “We’ve got you.”
The words hit harder than they should.
I nod once. “Yeah.”
Then the assistant coach pokes her head in. “Two minutes.”
Jade claps her hands. “Let’s go win a game and make Sloane pretend she doesn’t love being celebrated.”
“I don’t love being celebrated,” I argue.
“You love being loved,” Jade sings as she stands.
I open my mouth to deny it?—
And my phone buzzes in my locker.
One text.
Logan: we’re here.
My heart punches against my ribs so hard it actually hurts.
Jade sees my face. “Oh my God.”
“Don’t,” I warn.
Blakely’s eyes soften. “He made it?”
