“Unless there’s politics involved?” Frank asked. “The Wildfang’s captain must’ve sucked someone’s -”“Stop!” Mia, Dawn, and Charlie said in unison. “So you’re saying Atlas might have?” Maxwell replied, narrowing his eyes.Frank’s mouth rounded. “I should ask him.”“No,” the girls said at the same t
“This is actually pretty common in Taylor’s case,” Carlos Ronaldo explained.They were at the Second Diamond Hotel in Braeton City, having dinner with Carlos and his wife in one of the conference rooms.Hearing Carlos’s response, Taylor frowned.Adrian leaned closer to the round table, asking, “And
“Charlie’s social media can stay private,” Kate added, “but Taylor needs a public one for game posts and endorsements.”Taylor, seated beside Charlie, gripped her hand. The thought of her being hurt bothered him. The last thing he wanted was a jealous girl mocking Charlie’s cooking skills.Charlie p
“And that’s the game! The Atomic Heat dominated with a final score of 102 to 48!” the announcer called out, just as Taylor sealed the win with a powerful slam dunk, hanging on the rim for dramatic effect.Playing in Luxford’s grand stadium, the Atomic Heat prevailed over a visiting college from Rose
“I agree,” Drew said.“Same here,” Mark added. “Maxwell, you’ve got the talent. You are very fast.”“And I could really use friends to back me up,” Taylor said.“I’m touched,” Drew said, placing a hand on his chest.“But you gotta stop flirting with my girl,” Taylor said.“You know I was just messin
“So, what do you say, Daniel? Are you in?” Taylor asked Daniel Langly, the captain of Suncrest Valley State University’s basketball team.“Honestly,” Daniel said, looking up. “I thought it was the end of my basketball career. I’m grateful for this opportunity, so... it’s a yes!”“You made the right
Taylor had no bitter feelings about it. He was happy for Jeremy but sad for his girlfriend, who would have to hide in the shadows for the next three years of their relationship.After filling half of the lineup, the rest of the job was left to Carlos Ronaldo, whose sports management agency scouted t
“So, this is your side hustle, huh, West?” Daniel asked after Taylor tested the soil in one section of the excavated land at the Suncrest Valley Project.“Cool job, Taylor,” Maxwell said.“Do you have to get your hands dirty?” Dylan asked.“Yeah, I need to make sure the soil isn’t prone to erosion.
Maxwell was so confused. When did they kiss before?“I was twelve, and your mom invited us over for her birthday. We were hanging out in your room when you fell asleep,” Dawn began.“You didn’t,” Maxwell reacted, his heart swelling. “Fuck.”She pouted and admitted, “I did.”“That barely counts, but
Maxwell sighed, hearing his mother’s retreating footsteps down the staircase.Beside him, Dawn had her face buried in both hands like she was trying to teleport to another universe. “This is so embarrassing,” she groaned. “I don’t know how I’m ever going to face your mom again. I might have to fake
He leaned in just a little. “But then again... I’m done waiting and figuring it out. I know what I want, and I’m going for it.”And then… he closed the gap between them, his gaze dropping from her eyes to her lips.The second his lips brushed against hers, her mind went blank.She froze, eyes wide,
“Thomas looks like he was made in a lab to be the most boring man on Earth,” Maxwell described. “I bet he’s the kind of guy who makes a grocery list just to feel excitement!”That last line made Dawn crack up. She laughed so hard that her stomach hurt. “Actually, that’s true! He does get excited ab
Talk about bad luck… or was it?Out of the corner of her eye, Dawn saw Andi and Eve exchange a smile—and it wasn’t just any smile. It was the kind that screamed they were up to something, and Dawn was sure of it.“Oh, Thomas, look, it’s your friend, or is she?” Eve said, smirking.Thomas, upon seein
“Did you see the last game of the Luxford Iron Pulse? They made it through the pre-qualifying round!”“I saw it! They were amazing! Taylor, Maxwell, Daniel, Drew, and Dylan are the team’s stars.”“The last shot by Maxwell Turner was epic!”“I thought you didn’t like basketball?”“I don’t! I just thi
“It’s not like that,” Dawn said. “Well, I did find out he was still involved with his ex. I have no proof, but his actions were clear to me.”“That asshole!” Max shouted. “Just wait till I get back, I’ll—”“No, don’t. I don’t care. It didn’t hurt. Honestly, I was relieved that I didn’t have to feel
Thomas: [I already told you, nothing is going on between me and Eve. Eve just couldn’t accept that I had moved on. And remember, my professor forbade us from entering into a romantic relationship with a coworker during our training.]Dawn frowned as she read Thomas’s texts. She no longer wanted anyt
"What are you doing here? Did my aunt ask you to get me?" Thomas asked, his voice shaken.'What?' Dawn thought. Even though she was planning to break up with him, she still had to pretend? It was irritating Dawn to the core! "Yeah. Your aunt asked me to get you. It'll just take a few minutes.""Wait