Page 199 of Ruthless Court

“More important, you don’t want anything from him.”

“I want him to stop gathering early on his left-side drives.”

Her eyebrows rise.

“That’s what you’ve been helping him with?”

“Among other things.”

“I wondered why his reads look cleaner tonight.”

My attention returns to the court.

The youth dancers finish their routine. Applause moves through the arena as staff clear the floor.

“He listened,” I say.

The admission comes out quieter than intended.

Stella catches it.

“Kane listens when he respects someone.”

“He argues first.”

“That’s how he listens.”

I bite another Twizzler.

Stella’s gaze sharpens with amusement.

“You like arguing with him.”

“No.”

“You came to his game.”

“He gave me tickets.”

“You could have stayed home.”

“I almost did.”

“But you didn’t.”

I fold the top of the candy bag.

“This conversation feels less like friendship and more like an ambush.”

“I’m making sure my best friend doesn’t ruin the first good thing to happen to him in a while.”

“We are not a thing.”

“Not yet.”

“He kissed me once.”

Stella’s mouth opens.