Chapter Two: The Play You Fear

She was twenty-eight, built better models than three veteran coaches, and spent meetings turning pages for men who presented her findings. “New religion?” she asked. Kai erased the first two rules. “A reminder not to trust first impressions.” “That slot blitz yesterday. How did you see it?” “The corner's weight.” “Lie. He stood the same way twice and dropped.” Her gaze was a thin knife. Kai said, “I thought I heard him call it.” “The film had no sound.” Mara slid him a tablet. “Keep guessing. Grant plans to test you in today's scrimmage. Twelve passes. Four failures and you're out. He didn't tell you because he wants to know whether luck survives without preparation.” “Why help me?” “They call my work luck too.”