The gym was louder than Leo had ever heard it.
Not the national championship. Not the state tournament. This was different. This was personal. The first seed had beaten Crestmont twice during the regular season—once at home, once on the road. Their fans had traveled well. Their band was playing. Their cheerleaders were tumbling. The whole place felt like a fortress.
Leo stood at the service line, rolling the ball in his hands, feeling the weight of the moment. His knee was wrapped in a compression sleeve, hidden under his shorts. His shoulder was loose. His heart was steady.
Kai walked past him. "You look nervous."
"I look focused."
"Same thing."
"Different thing."
Leo tossed the ball. The gym went quiet. He served—a left-handed float, the same ugly serve that had confounded liberos
