Which is a lie.
Because everything about this moment feels unreal.
A few weeks ago we were sneaking around.
Now she’s moving into my house.
Our house.
And the whole team has shown up like it’s a national holiday.
Carolina suddenly claps her hands loudly.
“Alright!Everyone stop!”
That gets attention.
Even Koa and Tank pause mid-argument with the couch.
Carolina walks over to Chiara, holding a bouquet of flowers.
Baby blue carnations.
Chiara blinks in surprise.
“Uh… what’s this?”
Carolina smiles warmly.
“Well,” she says, “you can’t live with a Rover without becoming one.”
Chiara laughs softly.
“And since you’re clearly one of us now?—”
She presses the bouquet into her hands.
“Welcome to the Lady Rovers.”
The room erupts into cheers.
Chiara’s cheeks turn pink, but she looks so happy it makes my chest ache.
And right then—right in that perfect moment—I know it’s time.
I push away from the counter.
“Hey.Wait.”
The room quiets.
Chiara turns toward me, carnations still in her arms.
“What?”
I walk toward her slowly, my heart pounding harder than it ever did before a match.
The lads notice the shift immediately.
