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I found Gus stuck in one of the bushes on my property and he’s lived here ever since. The cat distribution system works in mysterious ways.

My hand closes around the phone and I swipe it open as I sit on the bed next to Petunia. She sniffs in my direction a couple times before standing, stretching, and jumping off the bed, making her way downstairs.

“I just took a shower,” I call out after her. “No need to be so rude.”

The phone dings with a text and I remember what I set out to do. I open the group chat with my friends and skim the new messages before typing something out.

Rowan

Does anyone follow playoff hockey?

Jacob

You Americans and your crazy sports.

Ezra

Says the British guy who only follows tennis.

I’m obligated to follow hockey, as is Levi, courtesy of his uncle.

Rowan

Can your uncle get us playoff finals tickets? Asking for a friend…

Levi

He probably can, but why would you want that? You could watch me play golf instead.

Jacob

Rowan

Ezra

Or me! I’m also an athlete.

Jacob

I’d rather watch paint dry.

Jk, love you mates.

Rowan

I’m just saying, we could make it a guys’ trip.

Jacob

Aww, is the honeymoon phase over? Need some alone time with your boys?

My small smile falters at the mention of Rowan’s honeymoon. I only met him about a year ago when I was playing a tournament in Florida and he came up to me afterwards at a sponsor dinner. It turns out we’re both represented by the same athleisure brand. Afterwards, he introduced me to his then-fiancée, Maggie. The two of them are professional tennis players, competing in singles and doubles categories.

Rowan’s outwardly open and friendly personality made it easy for me to like him, and I’ve reluctantly opened up to him about myself and my life. It helps that we both know what living under the spotlight is like.

Six months ago, I was a groomsman at Rowan and Maggie’s wedding, despite my own bleak outlook on marriage and relationships. Ultimately, I was there for my friend, and he’s been a recent bright light in my otherwise dark life.

It was at the wedding that I met Jacob, one of Rowan’s best friends and a retired tennis player-turned-coach. While he and I only interacted a few times, I’ve enjoyed his messages in the group chat the last few months.