1:00 p.m. – Film session.
The Roarers sat scattered in the darkened video room as footage of the Vega Tigers flickered across the screen.
Coach Crawford stood up front, arms crossed, voice firm.
"No question who their engine is—Shael Grant-Alexis."
Ryan didn't need Kamara's commentary to know that name. Shael had been an All-Star this year. They'd even shared the floor during All-Star Weekend, going head-to-head in the Skills Challenge. Shael had taken home the trophy that night.
The memory made Ryan grin—and it had nothing to do with Shael.
He was thinking about Chloe.
About that night, when he scooped her up under the basket, hands firm around her waist, lifting her like she weighed nothing.
She held the ball, reached out, and slammed it in. The crowd went wild.
His smile returned before he even knew it.
Kamara caught it and leaned over, smirking. "Yo, why you grinning like that at Shael's highlights? You sweet on him or what? You into guys now?"
