Chapter 8
The next morning, the grass was wet, and a mist hung over the court. Daniel jogged up with his hood on and his coat zipped up to his neck.
He was almost surprised to see two people on the court already. One of them was very, very tall.
“Hey,” Isaac called to him. “We were afraid you weren’t showing up.”
“It would have been the meanest prank ever,” PJ added. “There would have been revenge.”
Daniel laughed. “Well, I made it, so please don’t hurt me,” he said. He went right to the foul line, raised his ball, and sank an easy swish.
“Nice shot,” PJ said.
Isaac grabbed the rebound and passed it to Daniel. “Courtesy,” he said.
Daniel dribbled once, then shot. Another swish.
This time PJ grabbed the rebound. “You ever miss?” he asked. He passed the ball back to Daniel.
Daniel spun the ball between his palms. “Sure,” he said. “Watch this.”
He drove up the left side of the lane and tried for the layup. The ball hit the center of the backboard and fell past the other side of the rim.
“See?” Daniel said. He jogged after the ball as it rolled off the court.
“And that’s why we’re here,” Isaac said. “Right?”
“Exactly,” Daniel replied. “If I can score from the floor, there’s a chance the defense will foul me. And we know I can score from the line.”
“Then what are we waiting for?” Isaac said. “Let’s play a little two-on-one.”