Phoenix Rising: From Heartache to Heroism

Chapter 702 Marlboro

"You were too focused," Nessie muttered.

Jasper turned around, placing the trophy on a shelf in the corner. "I wasn't looking at anything."

Nessie shot him a skeptical look. "Weren't you just watching them warm up? Violeta and Kaylee make a great pair. It's rare for our tennis club to have two members as good as them." Jasper ignored her and prepared to leave.

Nessie called after him, "Jasper, you can't just hide in here all day watching everyone else. You should get out there and practice with the group from time to time! Seriously, you're getting more and more hands-off these days." Jasper glanced at her. "Isn't that what Nolan and you are for?"

He let out a lazy yawn and added indifferently, "My presence is not important. See you."

Nessie could only shake her head helplessly as he left.

Before the new members joined, Jasper used to love playing with everyone.

But lately, something has changed. He barely even showed up for practice anymore.

All he did was hide out here and watch from afar, though no one knew what he was watching.

Nessie leaned against the spot where Jasper had been standing and murmured to herself, "I have to admit, the view from here is pretty good. You can see everything."

Meanwhile, Lucy was back in town.

Jasper heard the news from a friend of a friend.

It happened over drinks.

"Who's back?" someone asked.

"Lucy!"

I remember

rested his chin in his hand, his eyes downcast. He didn't join in on the

do you even like

"

remember, it

Esther even confronted Lucy, didn't she? That

gossip right in front

like more, Lucy or

glaring at the speaker. "I like your

erupted into

smooth motion, leaving nothing but a

back, but Jasper

up with her, he had already stopped

He never went

have broken up in the first place. And since they did,

room came in to serve the group more

would spend lavishly, staff here would need connections to get

stuffy and wanted a cigarette. He reached

some air and ran into

said, "Go grab me a pack of