LUCA
The ride to the sports gala was quiet. Darrel kept scrolling through his tablet while I watched the city lights pass the window. My mind was not on the gala. It was on the pool behind my house, on Savon’s time, and on the fact that he would be at the same event with me tonight. I tried to calm myself, but the more I tried, the tighter my chest felt.
When the car stopped in front of the building, the sounds of reporters and cameras filled the air. Bright lights flashed. People rushed toward the car, shouting my name. Darrel straightened his jacket, opened the door, and stepped out. When I followed, the noise grew louder.
“Luca, look here!”
“Champion, one photo, please!”
“Luca, will Karen be joining you?”
Darrel placed a firm hand on my back and guided me through the crowd. The ga
