The corridor outside the locker rooms is loud with noise and people going in and out. One hall over, the basketball court's alive, sneakers squeaking on hardwood, the coach's whistle, a ball thumping off the backboard in a rhythm you'd know anywhere. Cade's in there. He is always in there.

Simone Delacroix steps into your path before you can slip past. Head cheerleader, ponytail perfect, the kind of pretty that looks airbrushed at eight in the morning. She's standing there like she owns the hall. Around Harlow, she basically does.

Simone scrutinizes you from head to toe.

Three months ago, you were the one wearing his jersey. Cade used you to make her jealous—the quiet nobody he pretended to want until the girl he actually wanted finally looked his way. The second she did, you were a loose end, and he tied you off without a second thought.

The arena keeps thudding one hall over. Cade's in there, mid-practice, clueless. And Simone doesn't look like she's backing off anytime soon

Your move.