The ball hit the ground with a hollow thud, and for a moment, the court was silent. Kendrick stood frozen, his chest heaving as the reality of his win sank in. He'd done it. He'd beaten Trenton.
Slim let out a low whistle. "Well, damn. Didn't think you had it in you."
Trenton stood still, his jaw tight and his fists clenched. Kendrick half-expected him to explode, but instead, Trenton nodded slowly. "You won," he said, his voice cold. "But don't think this changes anything."
"It changes everything," Kendrick said, his voice steady. "I'm done, Trent. Done with the threats, the games, all of it."
Trenton stared at him for a long moment, then turned and walked away, Slim and Mo-G following close behind. Kendrick watched them go, his body sagging with exhaustion. He'd won, but he knew this wasn't over. The streets didn't let go that easily.
As Kendrick picked up his bag and started walking home, he felt a strange mix of relief and fear. The showcase was only days away, and now, more than ever, he had to stay focused. Trenton might come back, but Kendrick wasn't going to let him take this away.
Not now. Not ever.