Juelz jumped up instantly. “THAT’S WHAT I’M ‘TALMBOUT! COOK THAT NIGGA!”
Tasha grabbed his shirt again. “Jue, sit down!”
“I’m sitting, I’m sitting!” he laughed, dropping back down, but his leg was bouncing, energy too high to stay still. Basketball was Juelz's game. Ant drove to the basket?—
Dribble. Left. Right. Defense tight.
“Move your feet! Move your feet!” the coach yelled. “Let’s go, Anthony.”
Pass. Back to Ant. He caught it. Drive. Layup. Missed. Rebound. Up again. Good. Score.
“Let’s go, nephew!” Tasha yelled before she could even stop herself.
Juelz turned his head, grinning at her. “See? You couldn’t help yourself.”
She sucked her teeth, trying to play it off. “Boy…”
But she was smiling. Time started running down. Score tight. It was a two-point game with thirty seconds left. The gym got loud again, everybody on edge, stomping, cursing, and clapping.
“Defense!” somebody yelled.
“Lock in. Lock in!” another voice followed.
Ant’s team forced a turnover. Ball back in their hands.
“Hold it! Hold it!” the coach screamed.
Clock ticking.
Ten seconds.
Nine.
Eight.
Ant got the ball again.
Juelz stood up without even realizing it. “Take the shot, Ant! Put it up! Put it up!”
Tasha was right next to him, biting her nails. “Shoot!”
Five seconds left in the game. Ant stepped back.
Shot up.
The ball flew through the air?—
Everything slowed down.
Then—
SWISH.
The net snapped.
The buzzer went off.
Game over, the gym went crazy. Kids ran onto the court. Teammates tackled Ant in a pile.
