The tension in the stadium was suffocating. It was the final game of the state championship, and the universe had a dark sense of humor: the Vipers against the Wildcats.
Nova stood on the mound, the dirt shifting under her cleats. The roar of fifty thousand fans was a dull, white noise behind the absolute focus narrowing her vision. The scoreboard loomed large above the outfield: Bottom of the ninth inning. Two outs. Bases loaded. Vipers leading 1-0.
And stepping into the batter's box, looking paler and more desperate than she had ever seen him, was Julian.
Since the scandal involving Chloe broke, Julian’s life had been a rapid, humiliating downward spiral. His carefully crafted golden boy image was in ruins, his endorsements had been dropped, and his performance on the field had plumme
