“Oh, you mean you’re not waiting to watch the latestLove is Blindepisodes with me?”
“You caught me,” she confesses. “But I’ll rewatch with you. No spoilers, I promise.”
I huff out a laugh, the tension in my chest loosening slightly.
This is why I called.
But of course, Kat doesn’t let it slide. Her voice shifts slightly, more serious. "Okay, spill. What’s going on?"
I hesitate. I don’t want to say it out loud. Because if I say it, it’s real. But I also know she won’t let me off the hook. I grip the phone tighter, my voice quieter than before. “What if I don’t belong here?”
No hesitation on her end. “You’re overthinking again, aren’t you?”
I sigh. "Maybe."
"Dylan. Shut up."
I snort. "Wow, thanks. That was inspiring."
"I’m serious."
There’s a long pause, then Kat’s voice softens slightly. “You’re one of the best players I know. You’re going to crush it.”
I press my lips together. I want to believe that. “Yeah… but what if I don’t?”
“Then you’ll figure it out. But you didn’t fly all the way there to doubt yourself. You didn’t get here by accident. You worked your ass off for this. You earned it.”
Her words hit deep.
“Everyone second-guesses themselves,” she continues. “But you? You don’t quit.”
I exhale slowly, staring out at the empty section of the training field in front of me.
“I’ve watched you take hits that would break other people and get up like it was nothing,” she says. “So what’s different now?”
“This is different,” I admit. “It feels like I’m out of my league.Wayout of my league. This is the real deal. It’s a step too far.”
“No, it’s not,” Kat counters. “It’s just another game. You can either let your head screw you over, or you can walk onto that field tomorrow and do what you always do—kick ass."
My heart pounds. Because deep down, I know she’s right. “But what if I mess up?”
“Then you get back up. Like you always do.”
A slow smile tugs at my lips.
“You make it sound so simple.”
“It is”. I can almost hear her shrugging through the phone. “You just like making things harder than they need to be.”
I roll my eyes. “You’re annoying.”
“You love me.”
I don’t realize how much lighter my chest feels until I hang up.
I stare at the field in front of me, my fingers loosening around my phone. The doubt is still there, but it’s quieter now. I’m still nervous. Still unsure of what’s coming next. But one thing is crystal clear—I’m not giving up before I even try.
No distractions.
No impulsive mistakes.
No self-doubt getting in the way.
Tomorrow, I walk onto that field and prove I belong here.
And if I fall?
I’ll get back up.
Like I always do.