Page 361 of Bad Prince

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From them and the way this is starting to feel like a choice I’m not ready to make.

I drive into contact.

Take the hit.

Finish anyway.

And one.

The crowd gets louder now.

Chant building.

“VALE! VALE! VALE!”

I step to the line.

Bounce the ball.

Once.

Twice.

And this time?—

I don’t look at either of them.

I stare straight ahead.

Because I already know—they’re both still there.

Watching.

Waiting.

And I’m not choosing.

Not tonight.

I shoot.

Swish.

Clean.

Controlled.

Contained.

Exactly how it needs to be.

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