The roar of the crowd still echoed in Brooklyn's ears as the game ended. Students poured out of the gym, buzzing with excitement. Amanda nudged her.
"Stay," she whispered with a mischievous smile. "He's looking for you."
Before Brooklyn could ask what she meant, Bryant appeared at the edge of the bleachers, sweat glistening on his forehead, jersey clinging to him. His eyes found her immediately.
"Brooklyn," he called, his voice firm but low, meant only for her.
Amanda smirked knowingly. "I'll leave you two." She slipped away before Brooklyn could protest.
Heart thumping, Brooklyn followed him out to the quieter side of the building. The night air was cool against her skin, but the tension between them was anything but.
"You were great out there," she offered, trying to keep her tone neutral.
Bryant leaned against the wall, crossing his arms. "Thanks. But I didn't ask you here to talk about the game."
Her breath caught. "Then what—"
His eyes darkened, sharp with unspoken frustration. "Why was Mani sitting with you?"
Brooklyn blinked. "He just… showed up."
"Of course he did." Bryant scoffed, pushing off the wall. "He's always showing up around you, isn't he?"
Something in his voice sent shivers down her spine. It wasn't just annoyance. It was… jealousy.
"Bryant," she said carefully, "Mani's my friend. That's all."
He stepped closer, closing the gap between them. "Do you believe that? Because I don't. He doesn't look at you like a friend."
Brooklyn's heart raced, every nerve on edge. "Why do you even care?"
For a moment, his mask slipped. His voice softened, raw. "Because I do."
Her lips parted, but no words came out. The space between them crackled like static, her pulse drumming in her ears.
Then, as if realizing how much he'd revealed, Bryant stepped back, running a hand through his damp hair. "Forget it. Just… be careful with him, okay?"
Before she could answer, he turned and walked away, leaving her frozen under the night sky.
Brooklyn pressed a hand to her chest, trying to steady her heartbeat. Bryant's words echoed in her head, impossible to ignore.
Because I do.