Leo slipped into the small corner of the café where Noah had set himself up.
The place wasn't too busy, just a few people nursing late lunches or tapping away on laptops.
Noah pushed his chair back when he saw him and gestured for him to sit.
"Good to see you," Noah said as Leo settled in.
"How've you—"
He stopped himself with a small shake of the head.
"Actually, no. I won't ask that. We both know you're doing well, but this is only the start. So let's talk about what matters."
Leo let out a quiet breath.
"That's pretty much where my head's at too."
"Good." Noah leaned forward a little, elbows on the table like he was switching into a different mode.
"It's time to make yourself indispensable to that team. You're edging toward it already. Coaches, staff, a few analysts online, they're starting to call you a kind of young leader. Not officially, but in how you play. You look calmer than half the older boys."
Leo gave a small nod.
