The gym was packed for Javier's final home match, and Leo couldn't stop staring at the banner.
Ten state championships. Ten banners hanging from the rafters, a testament to everything Westbrook volleyball had become. Javier had been part of the last three. He'd been the captain of the last two. He'd led the team to victory with heart, determination, and a refusal to quit that reminded Leo of himself.
The game was a formality. Westbrook had already clinched the conference title. The opponent was a mid-tier team that had no chance of winning. But that wasn't why the gym was packed. The gym was packed because it was Javier's last home match. Because the fans wanted to say goodbye. Because they wanted to honor the player who'd given everything to the program.
Leo stood at the edge of the co
