Chapter 3: The Next Move

I walked to a quiet corner and called my assistant, Tanya.

The club’s lounge was nearly empty, vending machines humming and a faded NBA poster peeling off the wall. My sneakers squeaked on the linoleum as I waited for Tanya to pick up.

"Is there a promising jungler on the second squad or in the youth program?"

"Definitely, Natalie! The new kid, Mason, in the youth squad—I watched him yesterday. His game sense and mechanics are both top-notch."

Tanya’s voice was always chipper, but today she sounded extra eager, snapping her gum and twirling a pen like she’d just found a winning lottery ticket.

"But Natalie, we just won the league. The team’s stable, Caleb is still on the rise. Why are you suddenly—"

I glanced out the window. A couple of teens skateboarded past the 7-Eleven, their laughter echoing in the violet air. Redfield’s neon sign buzzed against the twilight.

Caleb is almost 22. In this business, calling that ‘on the rise’ is just being polite.

"It’s nothing. I have my reasons. I’ll check out the youth squad tomorrow."

"Alright."

On the way back to the club, Coach Mark Sanders and the teammates were busy reviewing and celebrating.

Balloons tangled around the front desk, and someone had set out a plate of store-bought brownies. Coach Mark was replaying the final teamfight for the tenth time, his Chicago accent booming as he broke down every move.

Only Caleb kept his head down, tapping away at his phone, smiling at the screen from time to time.

If this were before, I’d have laid into him—not wanting to embarrass Coach, or let anyone think Caleb got special treatment because of me. That would’ve just brought him gossip behind his back.

But now, I couldn’t be bothered.

Looking at him, I figured he was probably chatting with Riley.

*[The main girl is so cute—where does she get all those adorable bear stickers? Even the star player can’t help but smile.]*

*[That’s right, the side chick only cares about her career. No wonder Caleb’s life was so dull before…]*

*[Yes! The star player agreed to go to the movies with the main girl!]*

Annoying.

I just closed my eyes. I didn’t want to see the comments anymore.

Just thinking—if it weren’t for me asking my dad for some resources during college, setting up the Redfield club for Caleb, putting my heart into it—he’d probably still be a solo queue king.

League’s number one jungler…

Back then, neither of us thought we’d get this far.

But now, Caleb has forgotten those 18-hour training days, forgotten what it meant to dream of making the top league.

And me, seeing his indifference, I finally made up my mind—to treat him as just another piece to be discarded when no longer useful.

I watched him, slouched over his phone, and wondered if he even remembered the promise we made in my dad’s car after his first tryout: to always play for each other, not just for ourselves.