Page 15 of The Break Down

Professional internet hobgoblin?

Honestly, it’s all the above.

Brands pay me to create buzz, build followers, drive engagement, make things look effortless and viral.

And I’m good at it.

I’ve made scrunchies, goat yoga, and custom-cut sandwich boards trend in niche circles.

But this? Rugby? This is a whole new arena.

Even if it’s just catching on in the States, the rest of the world already treats it like sacred scripture.

AndKoa freaking Jackson?

He’s their golden god.

Which is... fine.

Except it's not. Not really. Not when said god spends every practice glaring at me like I personally ruined his life.

I’m editing today’s practice footage—fingers flying over my laptop, trying to focus—when Carolina walks into the RV and everything shifts.

She’s radiant. Soft makeup, slinky dress hugging every curve, hair cascading in soft waves like she stepped out of a date-night commercial.

Her eyes are bright, cheeks a little flushed. Then she looks at me.

“Hey!” she chirps. “What’s wrong?”

Crap. Busted.

“Nothing,” I say quickly, closing my laptop like it might reveal all my embarrassing thoughts.

“All good. Just thinking about how to cut today’s footage. I got some decent shots of your boy Dane yelling and Koa looking like he wants to murder the sun. Totally viral-worthy stuff.”

Her smile falters, just a little, eyes scanning my face. “You sure?”

I nod too quickly. “Yeah! You look amazing, by the way. Where are you going looking like that? Trying to break hearts across the county line?”

She laughs, cheeks pinking up. “Just one. Dane planned a surprise dinner. And, um, I hope you don’t mind, but he also booked us a room at the hotel in town for the night.”

“Oh my God, mind?” I wave her off. “Please. You guys deserve some alone time. I should be the one apologizing for third-wheeling.”

She frowns, walking over and dropping down beside me on the narrow bench.

“Fin, stop. You’re not a third wheel. You’re the reason half the people in town even know the team exists right now.”

I shrug, smiling a little. “Yeah, well. It’s easy to promote when everyone on the team looks like they were handpicked from an action movie casting call.”

She nudges me with her shoulder. “Including one particular grump who’s always glowering in your direction?”

“Yeah right.” I snort.

“Um,yeah. Fin, Koa can’t keep his eyes in his head when you walk by.”

“Please. Koa Jackson barely tolerates my existence.”

She gives me a look.

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