The whole team came over in a wave. Some boys were still stretching, others dragged their gym bags, a few tossed a ball between them like they hadn’t just spent two hours grinding. They closed in fast, all height and noise.
Bea laughed, pulling out the rest of the bars. “I made enough for everyone. Calm down.”
“Shebakes?”
“Nico, are you gatekeeping now?”
“Bro, why didn’t you invite your tutor earlier?” One of the seniors nudged Nico, grinning.
“Introduce us, Nico.”
He did, rattling off a dozen names.
Another chimed in, “I’d risk academic probation for you.”
One of the juniors fake-fainted. Someone said, “I’d fail mathon purpose.”
Bea shook her head, amused and a little flustered. “You’re all deeply unwell.”
Nico rolled his eyes. “You’re embarrassing yourselves.”
Rafael walked over.
He didn’t speak at first. Just accepted a protein bar from one of the boys, bit into it, and stood beside her like a sentry.The boys quieted instinctively, the way you do when something bigger enters the room.
“This is Bea,” he said. “Show some respect. She made these.”
That earned a few sheepish laughs, and a fresh wave of thank-yous.
“She’s off-limits, huh?” Antonio grinned.
“To you, too, El Jefe?” Jude added.
Rafael took another bite. Chewed. Let the silence stretch until evenBeawanted to know the answer.
Then he said, calm as ever, “You already know the answer to both.”
Bea’s blush detonated. The boys broke—howling, laughing, slapping each other like someone had hit a game-winner.
Shedidn’t know the answer. And she wasn’t planning to think about it. Ever.
Coach called the boys in with a clipped command, and they immediately moved, leaving her alone with Rafael.
If he saw the color of her face, which, she was certain, anyone with eyes would have, he didn’t mention it.
“You came,” he said.
“You’re here. I thought you’d be at the game.”
“I don’t just come for the scoreboard.” His eyes flicked down to the queen necklace she wore. Instinctively, she reached up and held it in her hand.
“They respect you,” Bea said.
“They should.”
“They listen.”
“They’re supposed to.”
