Wymack took the key from the ignition, grabbed Abby's travel bag, and started down the aisle toward the back of the bus. "Off the bus," he said, and the upperclassmen obediently filed off as he passed. Aaron and Nicky waited for him to go by before ushering their dates out to the asphalt. Neil stayed where he was.

Wymack pulled a bottle of vodka out of the bag and put it down beside Kevin. "You have ten seconds to inhale as much of this as you can. I'm timing you. Go."

It was alarming how much a man could drink when he needed an emotional crutch. Wymack had to pry the bottle from Kevin's desperate fingers afterward. Kevin smeared a hand across his mouth and looked out the window. He couldn't see the Ravens' buses from this angle, but the sick look on his face said he didn't need to. Wymack sent Neil a significant look, and Neil gave up stalling. He left Kevin to their unorthodox care and got off the bus.

Abby had the storage doors open so they could get their change of clothes out. Nicky already had Neil's in hand and turned it over at Neil's approach. Neil tried not to crush wrinkles into it with his fingers.

Andrew led Kevin and Wymack off the bus. Wymack gave Abby her bag back, waited for Kevin and Andrew to get their clothes, and locked all of the bus's doors. Security guards at the gate watched their approach with interest and checked them off on a list. One stayed behind at the gate while the other escorted them to the locker room. Madison was using the home locker room to change right now, so the Foxes had to go all the way around to the away side.

By the time they were dressed, the alcohol had gotten a good hold on Kevin's system. He looked much steadier as he followed Andrew out of the dressing room. Judging by the nervous looks Nicky kept sending Kevin, Nicky wasn't convinced that calm would last. Neil had equally weak faith in Kevin's spine but he had to trust Andrew to be enough.

One of the gear closets in the main room had a printed PALMETTO STATE sign taped to the door. They locked their personal belongings in there and Wymack pocketed the key. Wymack did a quick head count and sent Kevin a measuring look. He said nothing but looked at Andrew. Andrew grinned in response. Wymack nodded and turned on Neil.

"You," he said, "attempt to behave this time. Don't pick fights with him today."

"Yes, Coach."

Wymack looked skeptical but didn't argue. "Let's go, then."

The Blackwell stadium was eerily quiet. Everyone who'd arrived already was on the court. Thick cushioned mats covered the polished floor to keep table legs and chairs from scraping up the wood. All of the lights were on, but the overhead scoreboard was dark. Neil thought he heard music, but he wasn't sure until he'd made it to the inner court.