Page 29 of Offside and Off-Limits

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ChronicWarrior88:

I’m only being real, but thanks for noticing.

He adds a winking emoji, and I reply with a simple heart.

ChronicWarrior88:

I'm sorry to cut this short, but I need to head to bed. I'm super low on energy today.

Me:

I totally get it. I've been there myself. Sleep is key in your recovery.

ChronicWarrior88:

You're so wise. I wish you were in my life for real.

I bite down on my lip, my heart doing weird things in my chest.

Me:

I wish you were in my life for real, too.

ChronicWarrior88:

One day…

The words hang in the air betweenus.

Me:

One day.

Me:

Hey, I’ve got to get into work now. Talk tonight?

ChronicWarrior88:

Of course. Bye, beautiful

Me:

Bye

I click off my phone and let out a contented sigh. My chats with Warrior are precious. We may not have met in the flesh, but I know what I have with Warrior is as real as the day is long.

So why does guilt prick at me every time Warrior calls me beautiful? Why do I feel like I'm betraying him when my mind wanders to someone else entirely?

And that person is Cade Lennox.

Cade and his flirty comments and heated looks. Cade and his shirtless-ness with all those dang muscles of his.

My phone beeps again, and I see Bailey’s name.

Bailey:

Just catching up on your livestream. Girl, that man caught you like a romcom hero.

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