miranbajrami59

"The Light Between Us"
In a town full of memories, the past is never really gone.

When 15-year-old Ryan Whitmore moves to Rosehill with his mom, he’s not just starting over—he’s running from everything he used to be. But small towns have long shadows, and Ryan quickly finds himself caught in something bigger than he expected. A girl who feels too familiar. A team he wasn’t supposed to lead. A truth that could ruin everything.

Between cheerleading tryouts, basketball tournaments, and late-night talks under the stars, Ryan, Anna, Ben, and Savannah are just trying to figure it all out. But secrets have a way of showing up—especially when you're finally starting to feel at home.

Basketball isn’t just a game here.
It’s where friendships are tested, futures are shaped, and second chances are earned.

THe Light Between us

Chapter 42 – Telling the Story

The smell of lasagna filled the small kitchen, and Ben leaned back in his chair, fork tapping gently against the plate. His dad sat across from him, eyes a little tired, but the corners of his mouth lifted with every word Ben said.

"So, practice went well?" Jack asked, setting down his water.

Ben nodded. "Better than I expected. Coach Daniels is actually cool. He's strict, but not in a 'run laps until you puke' kind of way. He talks to us like we're people, not just players."

Jack raised an eyebrow. "Good. You need someone like that. Someone who gives a damn."

Ben smiled, and for a second, he saw that spark in his dad—the one that used to be there before everything fell apart. He took a deep breath, debating whether to tell the rest.

"We, uh… got into a game after practice."

Jack leaned forward slightly. "A game?"

"Yeah. Just a two-on-two at the court down the block. Ryan and I versus Carter and some other guy."

Jack's expression shifted. "Carter? The same Carter from the fight?"

Ben nodded slowly. "He challenged us. Said if we lost, we had to quit the team. If we won, he'd do whatever we told him."

Jack rubbed a hand over his jaw. "And?"

Jack let out a laugh—a real one, deep and full of pride. "That's my boy."

For the first time in a long while, Ben felt like he was making his dad proud. And it felt good.

The house was quiet when Ryan walked in. The lights were on in the kitchen, and he found Sarah wiping down the counter, humming to herself. She looked up when she saw him.

Ryan tossed his bag down by the stairs. "Good. Coach Daniels is solid. He knows what he's doing."

Sarah leaned on the counter, watching him with that mom-smile that said she was trying not to make a big deal. "And how's the team?"

Ryan shrugged, opening the fridge. "Tough, but I like it. Ben's a good teammate."

Sarah tilted her head. "You say that like there's more to it."

Ryan grabbed a bottle of water and leaned against the counter. "Carter challenged us after practice. Two-on-two. Said if we lost, we had to quit."

"We won," he added quickly. "I hit game point."

Sarah exhaled, placing a hand on her hip. "Ryan… you can't just take on every fight."

"It wasn't just a fight," he said, his voice low. "It was about showing we deserve to be there. And we do."

Sarah looked at him for a long moment before stepping closer. "I'm proud of you. I just… I don't want you fighting every battle alone."

Ryan didn't say anything, but the look in his eyes said he understood. For the first time since they moved, he wasn't just surviving—he was starting to live.

Chapter forty-two – Telling the Story