Willow woke with a dry mouth and a pounding head. His heart was twisting in his chest. Eden was gone. He’d blown it. He scrambled for his phone, eyes blurring as they tried to adjust to the screen. He had messages and missed calls, but none from Eden.

He wasn’t surprised. Why the fuck had he told her ‘I love you’ while drunk in a field after a stupid fight?

But he already knew the answer—because he’d needed to. They’d been sitting in the grass, her small hands in his and he’d known if he didn’t say it, he’d regret it for the rest of his life.

Miserable, he lay back on his bed, trying to remember when he last felt this broken. When his ma died, maybe. But he couldn’t really remember that. He’d been miserable when he tore his hamstring right before the under 13’s finals, but he’d known he’d heal. There was no chance of that with Eden. Even if she forgave him for the Francis bullshit, they were still looking at months apart and conflicting schedules. She’d be up all night partying in god knew what time zone and he’d be training most mornings. If he wanted to make it work with the Rams, he’d need to get in the best shape of his life.

He blew out a breath that tasted like gasoline. He still couldn’t believe it was over. The moment he saw Eden, he knew they were meant to be. Every day they were together that only grew stronger. How couldn’t he make this work?

There was a gentle knock on his door. “Will?”

He recognised Psycho’s voice. “Come in.”

Patrick Normal appeared, looking as seedy as he felt. “You need to get up, man. Breakfast’s in fifteen.”

Willow pulled the covers over his head. “I can’t.”

“Don’t be like that! Everyone wants to see you.”

He groaned. Most of the guests were staying in the cottages that surrounded the hangar. Mara had organised a big brunch at eleven. A week ago, he’d told Eden all about it, excited to show her off in the sober light of day. Now he’d just be some single idiot, eating eggs by himself while his teammates speculated over how he’d torched another relationship.

He yanked the covers off his head. “I can’t come. Say I’m sick.”

“Everyone’ll think you’re hungover.”

“I am hungover.”

“We all are, but we’re also coming to brunch.” Psycho edged toward the bed. “Is this about Eden?”

“I don’t know,” he lied.

“Maybe you should call her? She seemed pretty cut when she left last night. Maybe she wants to talk?”

Willow sat up. “You saw Eden?”

“Yeah, I helped her get home.”

“What?”