(Kane)
The arena tunnel after the game felt too narrow, the echoes of the crowd still ringing in my ears like a bad dream I couldn’t shake.
I waited in the shadows until I saw my chance. Caleb was occupied with Coach and some university reps near the front of the Harrison bus. Perfect.
I slipped out a side exit and caught up to Danica near the players’ parking area. She was alone for once, adjusting her gear bag under a streetlight. My heart hammered harder than it had during the entire game. I told myself this was strategy — get close, find weaknesses, use them. But the truth was simpler and more terrifying: I just wanted to talk to her. Hear her voice without helmets and hatred between us.
“Jones.”
She turned sharply, eyes narrowing when she saw me. “Harlow. What do you want? Anothe
