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I turn, leaning against the counter, feeling my moment to ask her slipping away.

“Now.” She smacks my ass with the back of a spatula. “Go get dressed and maybe you’ll have time to eat before you leave.”

I grip her wrist and she remains her tight hold on her utensil when I drop my lips to her ear. “Quit giving me ideas, Nova,” I growl and pinch her little nipple that’s now poking through my shirt.

I adjust myself in my shorts as I leave the kitchen and something between a moan and laugh echoes behind me.

Practice was moredifficult than usual today. It’s the end of the week and the boys are tired. Ronan was especially ornery today. It doesn’t help that I couldn’t focus on anything except all the words I left unsaid with Taylor this morning.

I take a seat a few rows up on the bleachers, waiting for everyone to file out. I get a sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach when I think about the possibility of having missed my opportunity to ask her to consider staying. She’s notwearing her feelings on her like an extravagant coat, but last night, she opened up and talked to me in a way I didn’t think was possible for her. This morning was my opportunity and fuck, what if I missed it?

Ronan’s huff of anger while texting on his phone pulls me from my thoughts.

“Alright, Berkley. What gives?”

“What?” he snaps at me while shoving his shoes in his bag.

“You’re pissed off and distracted. Talking to someone has to feel better than sitting there boiling about it. So tell me, what’s up?”

“Don’t worry about it. It’s stupid high school shit.”

“Out of all the kinds of shit, stupid high school shit is my favorite kind.”

He rolls his eyes. Have I become the uncool old guy?

“Listen, I’m trying not to be an asshole?—”

“You are?” I interrupt and his scowl only deepens.

“But,” he says pointedly. “There’s just no point. You can’t help.”

“Who said anything about helping? I just want you to talk so you stop beating the piss out of your gear.”

He looks down at where his hands have a fifty-fifty chance of spasming from the grip he has on his bag. I watch the color return to his fingers as he slowly uncurls them. His chest rises on a deep inhale as he leans back against the railing, crossing his arms and he begrudgingly speaks.

“My girlfriend is pissed at me.”Okay, we’re talking real stupid high school shit, got it.Ronan is on eggshells as it is, so as much as I want to roll my eyes, I don’t.

“Do you know why?”

He shrugs, kicking a hole in the dirt. “She’s just mad that I don’t have a lot of extra time to hang out right now.”

“Ahhh,” I say, understanding.

“What?”

“You’re prioritizing rugby over your girl.”

He stills. “Yeah. I mean, no, not like that. I just?—”

“You just spend more time focused on rugby than you do her,” I supply.

He drops his head, pushing off the railing towards his bag again. “This was fucking stupid. I knew you wouldn’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Don’t I?” I get up from the bench. “You’ve been in a pissed-off mood since I got here, which tells me this has been an issue since the season started, possibly even before. You obviously like her enough that you’re trying to keep her around, but mate, she’s going to keep living her life. She's going to be at the town fair with her girls and maybe even some guys that can spare a minute for fun, and you’re going to be left alone in your bedroom cradling your ball.” He whips his head at me and pretty soon there will be no space left between his brows.

“You’re rugby ball,” I clarify, pointing to the ball at his feet.

“Okay, so youdoknow what you’re talking about. You just suck at it.”