Logan’s voice is quiet. “You want some water?”
Pops waves him off. “Later.”
I step closer and touch Pops’s shoulder lightly. “Happy I won?”
Pops’s smile warms. “Always.”
I nod, throat tight. “I’m going to shower.”
Pops nods. “Okay, kiddo.”
I retreat down the hall before the emotion can spill over.
I grab my things before rushing to the shower, peeling off my clothes, and letting the hot water wash away the day. I shower quickly, drying off quickly and slipping into an old, oversized shirt before going back to my room.
I stand there in front of my bed for a second, breathing hard, trying to feel like a person and not a bundle of nerves.
And that’s when I see it.
A small gift bag sitting on my bed.
Plain and simple, a piece of tissue paper peeking out.
My heart stutters.
I stare at it like it just might bite me before picking it up and looking inside.
A small box with a note nestled next to it.
My fingers tremble as I unfold the paper.
Happy birthday, Rhodes.
Just a little reminder that you don’t have to carry everything alone.
—L
My throat burns.
I open the box with hands that don’t feel like mine.
Inside is a simple bracelet—thin, leather braid, with a small metal charm: a basketball on one side…and my number on the other.
Not flashy.
Not expensive-looking.
Just…thoughtful. Specific. A way to show me that he knows me. That he notices things about me that no one else does, without using his words.
I swallow hard, the emotion hitting so fast it makes me dizzy.
Because this isn’t Logan being cocky.
This is Logan being careful.
This is Logan leaving something on my bed like he didn’t want to hand it to me and watch me deflect.
Like he didn’t want to make it a moment I could ruin with anger.
