Step Back

The ink had barely dried on the page, but it already felt heavier than anything Aleksandar had held in his hands before.

He looked down at the freshly signed contract, then slowly back up at Hao and Vinnie. His heart was still racing, but the storm inside had settled into something steadier like a lake just after the rain.

Then, with a slight breath, he asked the question that had been tugging at him since the game ended.

"Hey… what do you think about the guy wearing number 30? His name's Nikola he's my friend. Do you think there's a chance he could get a contract too?"

Hao's expression softened, but he shook his head gently.

"Unfortunately… we can only hand out one contract. And that one went to you but only because Vinnie and I both agreed you met the standards we came to scout."

Vinnie stepped in too, arms crossed, voice calm now not cold, just honest.

"To be honest, we weren't even watching anyone else. No one really stood out besides you."

He looked at Aleksandar more directly, with a bit of quiet conviction in his tone.

"Even if we had the ability to give another contract… We probably wouldn't risk it on someone completely unknown at least not without seeing more."

"But," he added, "if he's really serious, he can always come to Argentina for our pre season tryout. He'll have to compete with dozens of other hungry players. But if he shows up as the same player we saw today… the odds are close to zero."

Aleksandar nodded slowly.

"I understand," he said. "I'll talk to him. I think he might be interested… and if he is, I'll tell him where to be."

There was a small silence after that. Not an awkward one, but a peaceful pause.

Like three travelers at the crossroads, savoring the stillness before the journey begins.

Then Hao checked his phone, eyes scanning the screen.

"I'm booking my flight to Argentina for next week," he said.

"But I'm planning to stop by my family in Montenegro before that."

He glanced at Vinnie.

"So… decide what you want to do until then."

Vinnie gave a small shrug, half amused, half thoughtful.

"I'll think about it," he said. "Might visit Italy for a couple of days. Haven't had proper pizza in weeks."

Hao chuckled softly, slinging his bag over his shoulder.

He turned toward the gym's exit, the last rays of afternoon sun catching his profile.

"See you soon, Aleksandar. And Vinnie don't get lost in Milan," he added with a smirk.

"No promises," Vinnie replied, raising a hand lazily in farewell.

Hao waved at them both, then slipped out of the gym, leaving Aleksandar and Vinnie standing alone beneath the quiet ceiling lights.

The gym doors creaked shut behind Hao as he stepped out into the cool dusk. He pulled out his phone, the dim light of the screen reflecting off his serious expression.

With a swipe and a tap, the call began to ring.

And then a voice.

Deep. Cold. Calculated.

"So, Hao... how have you been? Tell me... did you and Vinnie complete the mission?"

Hao stood straight, almost reflexively, as if the weight of the voice demanded it.

"Yes, sir," he responded, voice calm but alert.

"We got the signature. The kid signed the contract. We booked our return flight seven days from now. Everything else will be handled in person once we arrive. I just wanted to inform you directly that our assignment is complete."

There was a pause. A long one.

Then came the reply.

"...Understood. Enjoy your remaining days. But remember Argentina waits for no one. I expect results when you return."

"Yes, sir."

"Good. Then don't disappoint me."

The line went dead.

Hao slipped the phone back into his pocket without a word.

Meanwhile, inside the gym…

Vinnie had casually thrown himself into one of the folding chairs near the bench, stretching like he'd just finished a beach jog instead of evaluating someone's entire future.

He turned toward Aleksandar with a smirk on his face.

"By the way you're coming with me to Italy."

Aleksandar blinked.

"...Excuse me?"

"You heard me. Italy. Pack your bags."

Aleksandar nearly dropped the water bottle in his hands.

"Wait wait wait. Why?! What's going on?! I still have school! I don't even have a passport on me! Are you trying to kidnap me or something?! I've seen this in movies! It doesn't end well!"

Vinnie raised an eyebrow.

"Wow. Chill. I'm not going to put your head in a cardboard box, relax."

He leaned back with a grin, then spoke as if it was the most normal thing in the world.

"You're coming because even though you're technically in the team… You're not really in the team yet. I'll explain the details when we get there."

"Wait what does that even mean?!"

"Also, don't worry about school I'll handle it."

"What?! How?!"

"Just give me your homeroom teacher's name and your phone number. I'll make a few calls."

"Vinnie, are you bribing my teacher?!"

"...No, I'm just persuasive," he replied, adjusting his button up like a mob boss with a schedule.

Aleksandar, still dazed, pulled out his phone and did as he was told.

"This feels illegal," he muttered as he texted Vinnie the contact details.

"Welcome to professional basketball, kid," Vinnie said, standing up and heading toward the gym door.

As he reached the exit, he turned around and tossed one last sentence over his shoulder, smirking like he was sending off a younger sibling to summer camp.

"Be ready tomorrow. We're flying out to Italy. Better get your parents on board, small fry."

The door shut behind him with a click.

Aleksandar stood there, phone in hand, staring at the space where Vinnie had been like a man who had just agreed to join a secret mission without fully reading the briefing.

"...What just happened?"