Page 55 of Power Pucking Play

I want to believe that's not true. That the Lexi I've gotten to know—the one who cheered for me at the game, who made me laugh, who I've shared my hopes and fears with—wouldn't do something like that.

But the journalist in her, the one who's made a career out of exposing the fuck-ups of athletes like me...can I really trust that she's put that aside?

As I approach the yacht, I take a deep breath, trying to school my features into something resembling normalcy.

I'm not going to confront her. Not yet.

Not until I have more information.

Doesn't help that I find her still asleep, curled up in the same spot.

For a moment, looking at her peaceful face, all my doubts seem ridiculous. How could I think she'd betray me like that?

But then I remember Altman's questions, the intimate details he somehow knew, and the doubt creeps back in.

I set the coffee and pastries on the bedside table, resisting the urge to wake her, to demand answers. Instead, I scribble a quick note:

"Had to run. Early practice. There's a list of numbers on the nightstand when you wake up. The captain and crew will help you with whatever you need, including a ride home when you're ready. Enjoy breakfast. - G"

It's a lie. Practice isn't for hours yet.

But I need time to think. To figure out what the hell is going on and what I'm going to do about it.

Last night, I thought we were on the verge of something real, something lasting. Now, I'm not sure what to think.

I head back to my apartment, my mind a battlefield of conflicting emotions.

Part of me wants to trust Lexi, to believe that what we have is real.

But another part, the part that's been burned before, that's spent years building walls to keep people out, is screaming at me to run. To protect myself before it's too late.

I don't know what to do. I don't know if I can trust her.

I start my usual pre-game routine on autopilot.

Stretch. Hydrate. Visualize. But my mind keeps drifting back to Lexi, to Altman's call, to the sinking feeling in my gut that says this is all too good to be true.

I should confront her. Ask her about Altman, about the lies and secrets.

But what if she denies it? What if she has a perfectly reasonable explanation?

Do I want to risk losing her over suspicions and doubts?

But can I continue being with someone I don't fully trust?

My head hurts from the internal debate.

I grab my phone and dial Lexi's number, but then quickly hang up before it rings.

I can't do this right now.

And it's just my luck that as I get ready to actually make the trip down to practice, my phone buzzes with a text from the one and only...

"Thanks for breakfast. Last night was...wow. Can we talk later?"

I stare at the message, my thumb hovering over the reply button.

What am I supposed to say? “Hey, did you happen to share all my deepest secrets with your coworkers? Just curious.”

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