Page 191 of Make the Play

“That sounds perfect, Zoe. Meet you there tomorrow at seven?”

“Perfect—and Nate? Thank you. Seriously.”

The line goes dead, and I stand there with my phone still pressed to my ear, taking a second to catch up.

He has the footage. The whole thing, offline and untouched. Untangled from the HOA or legal or any of the other red-tape nightmares I’ve been spinning in all week.

I might be able to fix this without needing Chase to burn down the entire condo board, or without him having to take another PR hit, like he keeps suggesting he should do to move the narrative.

For the first time in three days, I breathe.

It’s not over, but it’ssomething.And right now, that feels like a miracle.

I glance back at the TV. The game’s over and the interviews are done. But I can still visualize Chase’s face—flushed and tired and so damn open in that one vulnerable second when he looked right into the camera and said his center of gravity wasn’t in the room.

I don’t think. I just grab my phone and type.

Me:I saw the game.

I hover for a second, then hit send. It delivers, and two blue ticks appear immediately.

Chase:You watched?

Me:Yeah, I always watch

The reply comes so fast it lights up my screen before I’ve even locked it.

Chase:Are you okay?

Zoe: I’m okay

It’s not a lie, not exactly. It’s the first time I’ve said it andmostlymeant it in days.

There’s a pause, and the dots move up and down, making it seem like he’s typing, then re-typing what he wants to say next.

Chase:You texting me first is the best thing that’s happened to me in three days. And I dropped gloves tonight twice, so that’s saying something.

I smile before I can stop it.

Me:Three. You dropped them three times.

Chase:Youwerewatching.

Chase:Tell me you missed me so I can die happy.

I huff a laugh, and my thumbs hesitate over the keys.

Me: You looked tired

Me:And mad

Me:And sweaty.

Chase:You like me sweaty.

Me: Not when you’re sad sweaty

There’s another pause, longer this time.

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