‘I did like the bit where they pointed the big laser gun at his genitals,’ Kellen confesses. ‘I like my men tied up and defenceless.’

‘So that’s what Rhys is into,’ Chase teases. ‘I thought you said you fell asleep?’

‘I made sure to wake up for that bit.’

We all laugh at that, and, just for a moment, it feels like old times. It’s bitter-sweet, though. I hate that it took a sporting event – of all things! – to get Kellen to hang out with us again. I’m still glad he’s here, though. I would’ve been sad to leave without spending a bit more time with him. It seems silly to just be realizing that now. I guess it’s only when you’re at the end of something that you truly realize you’re gonna miss it.

The match goes way better than I expected. They may have the superior base, but we counter that with a heavy defence, only sending Cameron, Chase and Josh after the enemy flag, while the rest of us stay back. I don’t see much of Cameron, but Bec does a great job of leading, constantly yelling out encouragement and telling us how great we’re doing. Even when Hawthorn get two flags away from us, she still maintains the positivity.

I’m not sure me and Kellen are contributing much, to be honest, but I suppose just adding to the mass of bodies does something. I even manage to tag one of the Hawthorn girls out at one point. In fairness, she tripped over her own feet, so it wasn’t exactly like I caught her, but at least I was there to offer a ‘helping hand’ as she lay face down in the dirt.

Cameron leads our attack, successfully distracting the enemy team while Chase and Josh manage to score a flag each. They say queer people aren’t good at sport, and Kellen and I may live up to that stereotype, but the three of them are proof to the contrary. I can tell they’re getting tired, though, but luckily, after being tied two–all for what seems like forever, Madzikanda mercifully blows her whistle to signal a short break.

‘I have an idea,’ Cameron says as we regroup by our flag. His hair is messed up and he’s got dirt scraped up one side of his face, but he somehow looks hotter than ever. ‘We’ve played such good defence, so what if we mix it up a bit? Put everyone on attack? Hit them hard right off the bat? They’ll never see it coming.’

‘It’s risky,’ Bec says after a moment’s thought. ‘But I like it!’

‘We just need someone to stay back,’ Cameron says, glancing around all of us. ‘We need the right person.’ His gaze suddenly lands on me. ‘How about it, Zach?’

‘Me?’ I say, completely flummoxed. ‘Why me?’

‘Why not?’ He grips me by the shoulder, and I feel myself beginning to melt. ‘You’re as capable as anyone else here. I certainly believe in you.’