When I get home, Talia’s perched at the kitchen island, laptop open, ring light still set up from some livestream. Some days I’m not even sure she moves from there. Her nails click across the keys, perfect and rehearsed.
“Hey, babe,” she says without looking up. “You’re trending again.”
“Great.”
“Apparently the fans love that photo of you, mid-sprint. They’re calling you ‘Captain Chaos.’”
“Not sure that’s a compliment.”
She grins, still typing. “Doesn’t matter. It’s good engagement.”
I drop my bag on the floor, suddenly exhausted. “You ever get tired of talking like that?”
She pauses, blinking. “Like what?”
“Like everything’s numbers. Likes, engagement, algorithms. All that shit, it gets on my nerves.”
“It’s my job,” she says, frowning. “Same way yours is skating around in circles.”
“Right.” I rub a hand over my face. “Forget I said anything.”
She shrugs, returning to her laptop. “Dinner’s in the fridge. Or order something. I’ve got a brand call at eight.”
I nod, but I don’t move. Everything feels fake. My phone buzzes in my pocket, and I already know who I want it to be. I open her Instagram instead.Rose Bennett Photography.Her latest post is a carousel with shots from a junior league match, kids grinning, helmets askew, eyes bright. The caption reads:Everyone starts somewhere.
I stare at it until the screen dims. Then I open my messages.
CAL:Hey. PR team saw your photos and loved them. Want to come in next week? We’re doing promo shots and they’d love to use you.
I hit send before I can overthink it. Then I toss the phone onto the counter and open the fridge, pretending to look for dinner, when I’m secretly trying to still my mind. My pulse is hammering anyway.
Ten minutes later, my phone buzzes.
ROSE:Wow. Seriously? That’s… yeah. I’d love that. Thank you.
I can almost hear her voice in the words, surprised, but smiling.
CAL:You earned it. Your shots were class.
ROSE:Thanks. Might have had a good subject.
That one undoes me a bit. I stare at it, thumb hovering over the keyboard, fighting the stupid grin that wants to spread across my face.
CAL:You free to stop by before the session? I’ll show you around.
ROSE:Sure. As long as you promise not to photobomb your own promo.
I huff out a laugh.There it is.That spark.
Talia walks in just as I pocket the phone. “Who’s that?”
“PR stuff,” I lie easily. “Setting up a shoot.”
She eyes me for a second, then smiles too sweetly. “Make sure they get your good side.”
I force a smirk. “Didn’t know I had a bad one.”
She rolls her eyes and disappears down the hall, still on her phone. The silence she leaves behind feels deafening.
