Page 40 of From Fake Dates to Forever Goals

If I had known I would feel this way about Ava, I might never have approached her with an offer like that. I’ve never felt tied to a woman before, but with Ava, it’s different. She makes me feel whole, like I’m finally safe to be myself. There’s no need to pretend or perform around her, even when the cameras are on me. She’s changed my world in ways I didn’t think were possible, especially my perspective on relationships.

After the whirlwind of Chicago, returning to our normal lives feels strange. I’ve missed a lot of practice, and Ava has work to catch up on after taking time off. As we settle back into our routines, I focus on my game, but I can’t stop missing her. Spending so much time together in Chicago has made herabsence feel even more profound.

I’ve never seen my mom so happy around anyone I’ve dated before. Usually, my girlfriends are met with an eye roll, and my mom can’t wait for them to leave. But Ava won her over from the start, and I can’t blame her—Ava has a way of winning people over effortlessly.

“You know, the big game is just a week away,” Jimmy yells over the phone.

“You have nothing to worry about. I’m on it,” I assure him, grabbing my gear and heading out for practice.

Before leaving, I call Ava. I miss hearing her voice.

“What are you up to?” I ask.

“Just finishing up work. Do you want to get something to eat?” she asks.

“About that,” I begin, hesitating for a moment. “I won’t be able to see you too much this week. Big game coming up, and I need to stay focused.”

After everything we’ve shared, it feels awkward to tell her this, but I need to keep my head in the game.

“I completely understand,” Ava says, her voice calm and supportive.

Her understanding makes me smile.

“You’ll be coming to my practice, right?” I ask, wanting to make sure she’ll still be there.

“You know I wouldn’t miss it for anything,” she replies.

It feels good to be back on the field, and having Ava there cheering for me gives me an added sense of purpose. She’s become a source of strength for me, and I’m determined to do my best for her.

I still have every intention of keeping my promise to Ava. After practice, I send Rubin an email with Ava’s presentation and follow up with a phone call to fill him in on the project details. Rubin is impressed and assures me the rest of the funding will be taken care of. I know it’s just a matter of time before everything falls into place for her.

Each day after practice, I head to the sidelines to steal a kiss from Ava. Knowing she’s there watching me makes me work harder. She’s changed me in ways I can’t explain, making me a better man with every passing day.

Finally, it’s game day. Ava is in the stands, cheering loudly, when the camera catches her. Her face appears on the big screen, and I see her cheeks flush as she buries her face in her hands. For a moment, I panic, unsure of how she’ll handle the sudden attention. But then she removes her hands and flashes a bright smile, shouting my name with pride.

I shake my head in amazement. I know her father will have plenty of questions when he sees this, but I can’t help but admire how gracefully she handles the spotlight.

We win the game in the final minutes, and the stadium erupts in cheers. Overwhelmed with emotion, I run to Ava and pull her into my arms, kissing her deeply.

“The cameras are watching,” I whisper against her lips.

“Then let’s give them something to see,” she says with a sly smile, kissing me back just as passionately. I know her kiss isn’t for the cameras—it’s for me.

That night, we head out to celebrate. The atmosphere is electric, the room filled with laughter and joy.

“I almost forgot to tell you,” Ava says, leaning in close so I can hear her over the noise.

I turn to her, giving her my full attention.

“Rubin called!” she says, her excitement shining through. “He’s agreed to fund the rest of my project!”

“This calls for a double celebration,” I announce, pulling her in for a kiss.

Her eyes light up with joy, and I can’t help but feel a sense of pride knowing her hard work is paying off—and that I played a small part in making it happen. She deserves every bit of success coming her way.

We spend the night enjoying great food and even better company. As I look at Ava, I realize how much she’s motivated me to focus on what truly matters in life.

She’s not just the woman I never expected to fall for—she’s the one I can’t imagine life without.

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