He stopped.
“Not tonight.”
“Why?”
“Because this is Noah’s night.”
“You want to explain yourself?”
“Find another day.”
Adrian nodded.
“That’s fair.”
Behind me, my coworker leaned forward.
“Suit guy?”
I murmured:
“Adrian.”
He went quiet.
Then:
“Oh.”
Several seconds passed.
He leaned forward again.
“Don’t let money and a haircut rewrite fourteen years.”
I nearly laughed.
“Thanks.”
“Anytime.”
The game started.
Noah was electric.
Maybe because of Adrian.
Maybe despite him.
First quarter, he hit two threes.
Second quarter, he took a charge that brought the whole bench onto its feet.
Every time the crowd cheered, Adrian cheered too.
That bothered me more than it should have.
He stood for Noah’s baskets.
Clapped.
Shouted:
“Let’s go, Noah!”
As though volume could create history.
I stayed focused on the court.
Halftime.
Evermere led by five.
Third quarter, the other team tied it.
Then went ahead.
Noah took over.
A steal.
