Page 353 of Playing Dirty

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Because I didn’t like the direction my thoughts were going.

Mason wasn’t just a distraction anymore.

That was the issue.

This assignment made it structured.

Official.

Real.

My phone buzzed again.

Mason.

Mason:

Don’t let them turn it into something it’s not.

I stopped walking.

Stared at that.

Then typed:

Rowan:

What is it then?

Three dots.

Longer than before.

Stopped.

Started again.

Mason:

I don’t know yet.

That was the first uncertain answer he’d given me that didn’t sound like avoidance.

It sounded like truth.

MASON

Coach noticed immediately.

Of course he did.

I was off during drills.

Again.

Not bad.

Just… divided.

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