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I flexed my hands at my sides

Jameson looked from me to Everest “It’s been almost four years It can’t be that bad What happened?”

We all turned to hi”

So we all unequivocally agreed on, it was that we never talked about Milwaukee

Everest picked up his water bottle again, but his eyelid twitched

I probably got toohim off

“Since everyone’s sufficiently wound up now, let’s get to Barry’s before he gives up our booth” Hunter dribbled the ball and slung his bag over his shoulder He lifted his arm and took a shot in the basket closest to the locker roo the hoop and bouncing against the wall He shook his head and jogged for the ball “Plus, our court time is almost up”

As if summoned by his words the double doors on the side of the court banged open

The doors to the hallway opened and a voice called out, cutting through the squeak of our sneakers on the court “Nice air ball You guys are still here? Stick around next time and we’ll show you how to play” The tallest one stood with his little bird ar—crossed over his chest, surrounded by his friends He only came up to Hunter’s chest

“Don’t start things you can’t finish” Hunter bent down, glaring at the seventh grader

“I can finish anything you can dish out, old man” The kid scoffed and looked to his teammates over his shoulder

“Old man?!”

“Are you seriously about to scrap with a thirteen-year-old?” Ja him away

“He started it”

“If I hadn’t seen you walk across the stage at our graduation, I’d swear you were thirteen” Jaed Hunter toward the locker room exit