Chapter Thirty-Four
Erik pulled a shrimp cracker out of his rumpled bag as he walked beside Jia.
They flowed along with the stream of sphere ball fans leaving the arena. He bit down, enjoying the crunch. People chatted happily, pleased with their team’s performance or commenting on their favorite plays that night. It had been a good match, with the outcome in doubt until the last few minutes.
Some people might prefer a blowout, but Erik liked a back-and-forth struggle unless it involved him fighting a group of thugs. A dash of uncertainty and tension could raise the mundane to the sublime.
He held up the bag and edged it toward Jia. “Cracker? I always love these things after the match. It’s like the last minutes of the match add flavor. I can’t explain it.”
Jia shook her head. “No, I’
