Chapter 24: A Line Drawn

Kendrick didn't sleep much that night. Trenton's words kept echoing in his head: "Once you make this choice, there's no going back." It wasn't the first time Trenton had tried to pull him back into the life Kendrick was fighting to leave behind, but this time, it felt heavier. The ultimatum had been clear either Kendrick stayed loyal to the streets or he'd face the consequences.

By morning, Kendrick decided to push the fear aside. He couldn't afford distractions. The State University visit had been a success, but the scouts still needed to see more from him. The next showcase was less than two weeks away, and Kendrick knew that every drill, every practice, and every second spent on the court mattered.

That afternoon, he headed to Coach Ray's gym. The familiar sounds of bouncing basketballs and squeaking sneakers filled the air as he stepped inside. The team was already warming up, and Kendrick quickly joined them.

Coach Ray blew his whistle. "Alright, listen up! Showcase is coming fast. I need each of you to show me that you're ready to compete at the next level. No excuses. No slacking."

Kendrick worked harder than ever during practice. His jumper was sharp, his passes precise, and his defense relentless. But even as he moved through the drills, he couldn't shake the feeling that someone was watching him. When practice ended, he glanced toward the gym doors and froze.

Trenton was there.

He wasn't alone, either. Slim and Mo-G stood behind him, their faces unreadable. Kendrick's stomach churned. They didn't belong here. This was his space, his escape from everything they represented.

Coach Ray noticed them too. "Rivers, you know those guys?" he asked, his voice tight.

Kendrick nodded slowly. "Yeah. They're from my neighborhood."

"Tell them to leave. This gym isn't a hangout spot."

Kendrick hesitated for a moment before walking toward the doors. As he got closer, Trenton smirked, but it wasn't a friendly one.

"What are you doing here, Trent?" Kendrick asked, keeping his voice low.

Trenton shrugged. "Just checking in on you, K-Dawg. Making sure you're not forgetting where you came from."

Kendrick clenched his fists. "I'm not forgetting anything. But this? This isn't your world."

Trenton's smirk faded, replaced by a harder expression. "You think you're better than us now? You think you're too good for the streets?"

"It's not about being better," Kendrick said firmly. "It's about doing what I have to do. For me. For my family."

Trenton leaned in closer, his voice dropping. "Remember what I said, K-Dawg. You can't just walk away."

Before Kendrick could respond, Coach Ray stepped forward. "You boys need to leave. Now."

Trenton locked eyes with Kendrick for a long moment before finally turning away. "This isn't over, K-Dawg."

As they left, Coach Ray placed a hand on Kendrick's shoulder. "You've got talent, Rivers. But you've got to get your head straight. Whatever's going on out there, leave it out there. Don't let it follow you in here."

Kendrick nodded, but deep down, he knew it wasn't that simple.