We made eye contact.
Then teammates pulled him away.
Ten minutes later, the school principal stepped onto the court with the championship trophy.
Then Noah’s coach took a microphone.
After thanking everyone, he announced the tournament MVP.
“Noah Cole!”
The gym erupted again.
Noah walked toward center court.
Sweaty.
Hair wet.
Championship medal around his neck.
He accepted the trophy.
Then the coach handed him the microphone.
“I’m probably going to regret this,” the coach joked.
Noah smiled.
The crowd quieted.
I expected him to thank teammates.
Coaches.
Maybe me.
Instead he said:
“There are two men in this gym tonight who are connected to why I’m standing here.”
My stomach dropped.
Adrian straightened beside me.
Noah continued:
“One of them is my biological father.”
