The envelope was thick, heavy with prestige. The return address was embossed in a deep, royal blue: UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY BASKETBALL. Kaleb held it, his heart doing a strange, stuttering rhythm against his ribs. This was it. The "them."
He tore it open. Inside was a letter, signed by the head coach himself, praising Kaleb's "high basketball IQ" and "impressive maturity." It was an invitation for an official visit.
For a moment, pure, undiluted elation surged through him. Kentucky. The cathedral of college basketball. The dream.
Then, the other feeling crept in, cold and familiar. The shadow. The letter mentioned his "pedigree." It said they were "intrigued by his unique perspective on the game, having grown up around a professional environment."
They didn't just want Kaleb Wilson, the player. They wanted Kyle Wilson's son.
"Wow, Kaleb! Kentucky!" his mom said, peering over his shoulder, her voice full of excitement.
"Yeah," he said, forcing a smile. "Wow."
