The gym was more crowded than usual. Word had spread that Adrian Cole was still in town and wherever Adrian went people followed. It did not matter if it was a formal game or a loose run. His presence pulled attention without effort.
Marcus arrived early. He tied his shoes stretched and began warming up. He knew Adrian would be there. He knew the whispers would grow the moment they shared the court. And he knew this was not just another practice. Something was changing.
Adrian walked in minutes later dressed sharp even in training gear. He nodded to the crowd like it was second nature. Voices rose. Phones came out. He smiled tossed his bag aside and picked up a ball.
His first shot from deep fell clean.
The gym reacted instantly.
"Who's ready for a real game?" Adrian called out.
Energy surged. Hammond watched from the sideline arms crossed. He disliked distractions but he understood momentum. If this was going to happen better it happened here.
Teams were chosen quickly. When the dust settled Marcus and Adrian stood opposite each other.
The game moved fast. Adrian played smooth and confident. His first drive ended in a hard dunk that shook the rim. The crowd exploded.
Marcus answered without show. He cut through traffic and finished at the rim with control. No celebration. Just points.
Adrian smiled. "Can you keep that up?"
Marcus did not reply.
The game turned fierce. Adrian played with flair feeding off the noise. Marcus played with purpose. The doubt fell away. His movements sharpened. His mind quieted. Every pass landed clean. Every rebound was his.
As the run continued the balance shifted. Marcus was no longer surviving the matchup. He was controlling it. His defense pressed tight forcing Adrian into rushed decisions. On offense he cut with intent scoring again and again.
The crowd noticed.
The cheers softened. Then changed.
Walt leaned forward unable to hide it. "That's not the same guy we started with."
Even Hammond nodded once.
Adrian felt it too. Sweat streaked his face. His movements lost their ease. Each time he tried to create space Marcus was there. Hands active. Feet planted. Eyes steady.
Then it happened.
Marcus read the pass stepped in and took the ball clean. He sprinted the length of the court and finished with a dunk that rattled the rim long after the ball dropped through.
This time the noise was for Marcus.
Adrian picked up the ball breathing hard. He looked at Marcus. The smile was gone. What remained was fire.
The game ended with Marcus's team ahead. Teammates crowded him slapping his back. The room buzzed with disbelief. Adrian walked off quietly saying little.
Lena watched from the bleachers. She stood as the crowd thinned her eyes fixed on Marcus. She had believed in him before. What she saw now was something stronger. He was not asking for space anymore. He was taking it.
Marcus looked up and met her gaze. The gym faded around them. She smiled. Small. Certain.
But Marcus knew better than to think this was finished.
Adrian would not let it end here.
That night sleep did not come easily. Marcus lay awake replaying the game. The looks. The shift in the room. Adrian's stare. He knew the rivalry had only begun.
The court had always been a place to prove himself.
Now it meant more.
It was about respect. About love. About standing his ground.
And for the first time in a long while Marcus did not shy away from what was coming.
He welcomed it.