The tunnel echoed with the sound of studs clicking against concrete as both teams emerged for the second half, and the afternoon sun had shifted slightly to cast longer shadows across the pitch while the crowd's anticipation hummed through the air.
Demien walked beside Riccardo when a familiar voice called out from ahead, and he looked up to see Adriano standing near the center circle with a smirk playing across his face.
"Yo, Demien," Adriano said while his arms crossed casually, and he continued with mock surprise, "Can't believe the guy who got kicked out of the academy is now a baller."
Demien's jaw tightened as he stopped walking, and his response came flat and cold as he said, "Fuck you."
Adriano's smirk widened as he stepped closer while his voice dropped to something more personal, and he added, "Elena asked about you the other day, said she misses—"
