Page 371 of Playing Dirty

---

And I hated that I couldn’t argue it.

MASON

Coach changed the entire rotation lineup that day.

No explanation.

Just switch.

I ended up paired with Andre in drills.

He leaned over mid-play.

“Your girl’s got you trending,” he said.

I almost stopped moving.

“What?”

“Campus forums are going crazy.”

I didn’t respond.

Just played harder.

Too hard.

Coach noticed immediately.

“Reed,” he called. “Control it.”

I didn’t answer.

Because I wasn’t controlling anything anymore.

ROWAN

That night, Mason didn’t text first.

That was unusual.

I did.

Rowan:

This is getting worse.

Immediate reply.

Mason:

Yeah.

Pause.

Mason:

Coach said the same thing.

---