Page 80 of Fighting Spirit

Rowan

Depends on what the goal was.

RUTH: I wanted you to like me, asshole.

Rowan

Oh.

Yeah.

Then I guess it worked fine.

RUTH

hehehe

You LIIIIIIIIKE me

Rowan

Well, yeah?

RUTH

You LIKE me, like me

Rowan

I mean, I would hope so.

You’re my girlfriend, obviously we like each other.

RUTH

I am?

Rowan

Yeah?

I thought so.

We’re dating right?

Ruth, you are my girlfriend right?

“Ainsley! You with us?” Fitz yells as he walks into the locker room. I quickly lock my phone and tuck it into the bag at my feet. What the hell did Ruth mean? She was messing with me, right?

I tap my feet in a frantic rhythm against the floor, trying to keep my mind in check. I know I need to focus; we’re tied up at half-time and I need my head in the game, but I can’t keep myself from spiraling. My hand itches to get my phone out, to call her and demand answers.

I’m about ninety-five percent sure that Ruth’s my girlfriend, but I’m not exactly well-versed in the whole dating routine. I thought I’d been pretty clear about where I stand, but now I’m not so sure.

I shake my head. Hell, I don’t need an answer now. If she’s going to tell me I’m an idiot, then she can do it after the game. I have a job to do, and a team counting on me.

I barely listen to Fitz’s speech, knowing the whole thing by heart anyway. By the time he finishes, I’ve mostly managed to banish thoughts of Ruth. My head thuds against the locker as I tip it back, squeezing my eyes shut and letting the hum of conversation wash over me.

The knot in my chest loosens as I settle into the familiar rhythm of the team, the guys laughing and hyping each other up. I’ve never been one to get so rowdy, but something about it is infectious and I grin, my brain clicking into ‘game mode.’ I stand up and grab my helmet as we start to file out, everybody jumping to slap the top of the doorway.

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