I’m still contemplating what to say when she gives a little awkward laugh and says, “Sorry, I really do need to change. I don’t trust them not to leave without me. Plus, I’m gross.”

“You’re not gross,” I say automatically. “Well, you kinda are, but in a tough way. Very sporty.”

She grins. “You should probably go too, but … maybe I’ll see you later?”

“That window of yours still open?”

“Might be.”

I match her smile with one of my own. “Well, then, you ‘might’ see me later.”

It feels extremely wrong to go from the game straight to a victory party that doesn’t include the obvious MVP, who also happens to be the girl I was just thinking about maybe kissing. But if I learned anything from Midnight Breakfast, it’s that forcing it won’t do anyone any favors. Still, when I show up to Zach Sawyer’s house with my brain still buzzing a bus ride and a quick change at home later, I expect the team to have turned a corner on Jack, seeing as she’s glaringly responsible for their huge win. But once again, I was expecting too much.

“Did you hear Coach? ‘Great job, Walsh.’ Like she could’ve done shit without Sawyer and Woods on everyone’s asses to make sure she didn’t break a nail.” Dan’s already mid-tirade—and mid-Heineken—when I show up. “Pathetic.”

What’s pathetic is you acting like that’s not their literal jobs on the field, I wait for someone to say. But nobody does. Definitely not me.

I should say it.

But I don’t.

“Man, this victory would’ve been so much sweeter with Robbie,” Zach says mournfully. Everyone murmurs in agreement, no one pointing out that the victory wouldn’t have happened with Robbie.

“We should pour one out for him,” Lamar says somberly.

“If you pour one out on my mom’s fucking rug, I will fucking kill you,” Zach snaps, which of course sets the guys off. They all take turns pretending to pour their beers out, pulling them up at the last minute, while Zach’s girlfriend, Mia, squeals and he glowers.

“Even community college guys are gonna be better than this, right?” Cara rests her head on my shoulder with a sigh, the smell of her vanilla body spray strong in my nostrils.