‘Weren’t so … um, bought what?’ I manage to stutter out. I barely know this guy. He’s also the last person I expected to start saying shit like ‘emotional in love’.

‘You don’t have to keep playing dumb.’ He smiles wryly with a shrug. ‘It’s so obvious you two aren’t actually in a relationship.’

My jaw nearly falls straight to the floor of the bleachers. He’s been here for less than a week. There’s no way.

Concern enters Rod’s eyes, and he bounds up the stairs of the bleachers, gesturing to the empty spot beside me. I nod, and he awkwardly takes a seat. ‘Okay, so you’re clearly falling to pieces right now. May, let me clarify, I’m not going to tell anyone. I’ve been close to Colt for years, and even though I definitely – obviously – haven’t known the guy as long as you, I’m not out to ruin your lives, that I promise.’

I met the man days ago. I’m not sure what reason I have to take anything he says as gospel, but there’s something about his presence, something genuinely warm and compassionate, that makes me think he’ll absolutely stick to his word.

‘I think I know enough to put the parts of the story together. I’m not here to do that, though,’ he says quickly. ‘I’m here ’cause clearly, part of the reason I saw right through you guys was because I know when Colt’s bullshitting. And he’s definitely bullshitting with you.’

‘Excuse me?’

‘Alright. I’m doing a terrible job at this.’ He turns to face me. ‘May, do you know why he’s here? Like, why he’s really here?’

I snort, finding a spot of dirt on my kilt to focus on. ‘That thing all the pros do. Probably to keep himself relevant while he’s injured, right? So he can get the clout he needs from “back home”?’

Rod’s next smile is a little sadder than his typical. ‘May … I’ve been debating telling you, but honestly, I want to keep this real. Because I think Colt hasn’t, and I think I know why. Has he ever, I don’t know, come up with stupid ways to avoid the stick? To try not to—’

‘Oh, to try not to lacrosse? Yeah, making me bin that dumb shot,’ I cut in with a little huff. ‘I get the knee injury. But come on. Not being able to touch a ball and stick is a little much. What about it?’

‘After Colt dislocated his knee last season,’ starts Rod, ‘he met a couple of complications that honestly weren’t expected to happen at all. We were all ready for a smooth recovery, to have our captain back, but instead Colt got a shitshow, in the form of inflammation so bad it was still fuckin’ braced up at Christmas time.’