In total Cole-fashion, he gently bangs his right fist on his chest a few times. “Dude, you don’t even know what that means to me. I’ve looked up to you since as long as I can remember. I seriously can’t wait to ball with you next year. It’s going to be a dream,” he says excitedly. Then he leans forward, looks over to my team, and shouts, “Woodside High here I come!” None of them pay him attention.

Wait, I’m confused. How is he talking about coming to Woodside when Carli told me last week that they were staying at Allen? Did things change? And if so, why didn’t she tell me?

Well, maybe something changed today. “Yeah, it’s going to be sick,” I say, fronting like I know what’s up. Can’t be out here looking like my girl doesn’t keep me in the loop. “Me, you, and Carli at the same school? What! They ain’t ready,” I say, half believing the words coming out of my mouth.

“Oh, has Carli been talking about living with Dad, too?” Cole asks, looking surprised. “Awesome! She’s been talking like she wants to stay with Mom and go to Allen. I thought I’d have to put in work to bring her around, but it looks like you beat me to it. Thanks, bro!”

I’m too stunned to bother correcting him.

The time-out buzzer sounds, and Cole is back on his feet. “If I don’t catch you before your game, good luck! Not that you’ll need it. I know you’re about to stomp them Matthew Gaines boys.”

“Thanks,” I say through a thin, forced smile. I swear to God, I’m a complete fucking fool. Not because she’s choosing to stay at her school instead of coming to mine. (That’s a huge decision dealing with family stuff that’s way bigger than me.) But because I believed there was no way she would she lie to me. After all we shared? No way. In my sacred place? No way. When she promised no more secrets on everything? Nah, man. But she fixed her lips to tell me a lie anyway.

CARLI

After the time-out, I’m back in Shannon’s ear. “Fine, if you wanna be my impersonator, go ahead.” We’re running up the court. I’ve been hitting her with copycat lines all game. I’ll admit, they’re getting kind of stale. But hey, if it ain’t broke. . . .

“I’m not trying to be you,” Shannon responds, breathing heavily, and gets in position on the block. It’s the first time she’s responded the whole game.

Standing behind her, I give her a little shove in the back to let her know how much of a liar I think she is. Nothing the refs will notice, though.