Page 477 of Ruthless Court

My throat closes.

“I was supposed to play basketball, get drafted, keep everything simple, and never trust anyone enough to screw up the plan.”

A tear slips down my cheek.

Kane reaches up and wipes it away.

“Then this weird freshman crashed an athlete mixer.”

“Against my will.”

“Gave me a fake name.”

“You were obnoxious.”

“Stole my seat.”

“You stole mine.”

“Destroyed my game.”

“Improved.”

“Made me chase her through campus.”

“Your cardio benefited.”

He laughs.

Then takes my hand.

“And somewhere in all of that, you became the person I wanted at the end of everything.”

My chest aches.

“Every game.”

His thumb moves across my knuckles.

“Every win.”

Another tear.

“Every loss.”

His voice roughens.

“Every version of my future.”

I squeeze his hand.

“Kane.”

“You were my Footnote when I thought you were some irritating detail I could ignore.”

I laugh through the tears.

“Accurate.”