The stadium lights burned down on them, bright enough to make night feel like day. Maya adjusted her jersey, tugging at the fabric that still felt too heavy. Three days since Mateo's offer. Three days since she'd avoided giving him an answer.
His words hadn't left her head. He'll never forgive you. But I could.
She pushed the thought away. There was no room for it now. This was the tournament. First playoff game against Westfield Prep. They needed to win.
The locker room before kickoff had been tense. Ethan had given his captain's speech, voice steady and commanding, eyes scanning over every player except her. When he'd finished, he'd walked past Maya like she was invisible.
Tank had noticed. "Cap okay?"
"He's fine," Maya had said. But they both knew it was a lie.
Now, standing on the field waiting for the whistle, Maya could feel the fracture lines running through the team. Ethan stood at center, shoulders squared, completely focused. But that focus didn't include her.
