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It was the opening I needed Throwing a wide elbow, I pulled the hit a bit, but that didn’troan of h the air and past Hunter’s attempt at a block, hit the backboard and fell into the net

“And the crowd goes wild” I cupped my hand around ust and I high fived He spun the ball on his finger in our victory dance We grabbed our water bottles It had been a while since I’d worked up a sweat like this It felt good to be out of breath after an hour of gaame of choice

Hunter jogged across the gyame ball

“The reigning Thursday night basketball cha announcer voice and added in ulp of water

Everest slipped his watch off and shoved it into the zipper pocket of his bag “That’s the closest you’ll get to a crowd saying your name anytime soon”

I tossed ap in the bleachers “What’s your problem?”

August and Hunter got between us

“My proble off the team dynamics and can’t even be humble about a win This isn’t a stadiu off some steam, that’s all”

Throwing off the tea out at college together But fuck hia into the solitude of adulthood A friendly—okay, sos and beers at The Griffin

“Sorry we can’t all be as refined as you, Everest My etiquette lessons were cancelled because they clashed withlessons”

He cut a gulp from his water bottle short “You’re such an asshole”

“I’o back to a city—hell an entire state—because of you”

Everest wheeled around, eyes blazing, and shoved his finger in my face “It wasn’t my fault”

Jas on the bleachers “Is this about Milwaukee?”

The nahit would suht there Everest, Hunter, and August had the sa”