Page 77 of The Break Down

It’s basically visual porn for sports fans.

And yeah. I’ve watched it seven times.

“Stop drooling,” Carolina says, sliding into the seat next to mine with a strawberry banana smoothie and a wicked grin.

I flush. “I’m not drooling.”

“You’re drooling,” she says, sipping like she’s innocent and not the devil in fan gear.

I click away from the video and pull up a stats chart.

Super professional. Very serious.

She doesn’t buy it for a second.

“What’s up, Fin?”

“Nothing. Okay, fine. Koa’s just been kind of distant,” I admit, keeping my eyes on the screen.

I don’t want to face her.

Or my fears, really.

I mean, nothing will save me from embarrassment if Koa regrets what happened between us.

I know it’s fast. Probably too fast.

But—I love him.

And I want this,us, to work.

“He’s probably just focusing on the game, Fin,” she says, all sympathy.

“No, I know. I mean, I know the first match is a big deal. I know he’s stressed and hyper-focused, but I don’t know what that means for me.”

“You miss him.” Carolina surmises accurately.

“Yeah.” I sigh. “And honestly? I’m feeling kinda, I don’t know, replaceable. Unsure of my position in his life. Like, do I just wait around like a winter coat? Stuck in a closet because I’m only useful some of the time?”

Carolina tilts her head. “Girl, what are you talking about? He worships you.”

“Sure. In private.”

I glance up, scanning the field beyond the tent, where a few of the guys are still cooling down.

“But have you seen the way women look at him? Half the people following our TikTok think he’s single and ready to ‘rugby tackle their ovaries.’ Actual quote.”

Carolina snorts.

“They don’t know he’s not single. You’re not exactly tagging him in couple selfies.”

“I’m not trying to become a meme.”

“Too late.”

I groan and slump forward, forehead thudding against my laptop. She’s right.

Because right now I’m like every whiny girlfriend meme I have ever seen. And I don’t like it. It’s not me.

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