The hardwood groaned beneath their feet.
Jamie spun again a desperate, beautiful whirl of muscle and spirit.
Ethan slid with him, like a shadow that had known this rhythm all along. Their bodies collided for half a second chest to chest, sweat to sweat, will to will.
"Tch…!" Jamie gritted his teeth. (He's still reading me... even now?!)
But he didn't stop.
He refused to stop.
"ONE MORE TIME!!" Jamie roared, digging deep for a burst of speed that wasn't left in his legs but in his heart.
He slipped just half a step past Ethan.
For a moment just a moment the rim was in sight.
His foot planted.
He rose.
A floater. High. Arcing. Fragile.
The ball danced in the air like hope barely holding on.
Ethan turned his head, watching it rise, watching it hang.
(He got past me...)
But Ethan didn't jump.
He didn't flinch.
He just watched.
Lucas, standing at the wing, whispered aloud: "Please… just this one…"
