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I laugh, then realize I’ve been grinning at my phone since I read Colby’s first text. He makes me forget the haters, makes me not even care about them.

Noel

There was a blond one guarding a big net. He was pretty cute.

Colby

*glaring emoji*

Colby

So, did your team win at least?

Noel

Not sure, wasn’t paying attention. I just hope they all had fun.

Colby

*GIF of Judge Judy palming her face in frustration*

Colby

It was great to see you there. Made me play better.

Noel

I’m not sure Dexter enjoyed your antics.

Colby

But it made you look desirable, even more so than normal. *wink emoji* I helped you out. You’re welcome.

My stomach does another flip, but not in a good way. Was he only blowing me a kiss purely to help me win Dexter? Maybe I was right, maybe he’s just a flirt and what I thought was a genuine connection was simply Colby being Colby. The thought hurts more than it should. I’ve guarded myself, I’ve been so careful, not wanting to get my heart broken again. I’m not sure when it happened, but sometime in the past month, I handed this man the power to crush me.

Colby

And hey, you’re famous now!

I swallow to clear the thick feeling in my throat, and blink rapidly to stop the tears from falling. He didn’t mean to hurt me, he was helping. He thinks Dexter is the man of my dreams. I can’t even be mad at him. It’s all my fault for catching feelings. I steady myself and send him a text that I hope sounds like normal Noel, and not crushed Noel.

Noel

Great, just what I wanted. *Tongue sticking out emoji*

I tap on the screen to get back into my group chat with the girls.

Noel

Emergency tea sesh this morning?

Mel

Be there in an hour.

Andie

Me too.