Unexpected Lines.

Finding Home.

Kaia swallowed. “Steph’s there. We haven’t really talked since… since Stevie.” Her voice wavered, but she forced herself to keep reading. “And Caitlin’s there. And Leah.” She blinked, pressing her lips together. The image of sharp blue eyes cut through her thoughts before she shoved it down. “It’s… complicated.”

“And the third?” Alba prompted gently.

Kaia clicked, her breath catching when she saw the crest. “Barça.”

Alba’s gaze flicked immediately to Alexia, whose expression gave nothing away. Kaia frowned at her. “You didn’t…?”

Alexia tilted her head, feigning innocence. “What?”

“Lex.” Kaia narrowed her eyes, but her sister just shrugged, lips twitching with the faintest smirk.

“Maybe some people needed a reminder of your talent,” Alexia said simply, voice steady.

Kaia stared at her, torn between gratitude and disbelief. She turned back to the screen, heart pounding. Barça meant being here, with them. With safety. With home. Arsenal meant… ghosts. People she wasn’t sure she was ready to face.

Alexia read the conflict in her face instantly. “You don’t have to decide tonight.”

Alba nudged her shoulder, softer still. “Just know you have choices now, Kai. Real ones. And whatever you choose… we’ll be here.”

Kaia let out a shaky breath, sinking into the pillows. For the first time in so long, the future wasn’t a blank wall. It was blurry, terrifying—but it was hers.

The three of them were still on Alexia’s bed, the offers pulled up on Kaia’s laptop. The room had gone quiet after she read them out, tension humming low in the air.

Alexia leaned over her shoulder, scanning the screen again, her voice deliberately casual. “Barça makes the most sense. Best facilities, best squad… best company.” She gave Kaia a sly side glance. “And, you know, the weather’s not bad.”

Kaia rolled her eyes. “Subtle.”

Alba, who was still curled up at the foot of the bed, chimed in lightly. “Imagine it though — dinners together, more Spanish lessons… maybe even game nights if you’re brave enough.”

Kaia stared between them both, her lips quirking. They were trying so hard to keep it gentle, but their eyes gave them away — Alexia’s flicker of hope, Alba’s softness.

She sighed, then let a small smile tug at her mouth. “I think…” She closed the laptop with a snap. “…I’m going to take the Arsenal one.”

The silence that followed was immediate, heavy. Both Alexia and Alba froze for a second too long, their faces faltering before they scrambled to recover.

“That’s—” Alexia’s smile was stiff, too quick. “That’s great, Kai.”

Alba nodded, her voice an octave higher than normal. “Sí, amazing.”

Kaia burst out laughing, shoving a pillow at them. “You two are so fake!”

That cracked them — Alexia groaned, dropping her head back against the headboard, and Alba dissolved into giggles, burying her face in Kaia’s shoulder.

“Fine,” Alexia muttered, still smiling despite herself. “Maybe I’m a little disappointed. But only because I’ll miss you.”

Kaia’s laughter softened, her chest warm as she tucked herself between them. “You’ll still see me, Lex. I’m not disappearing again.”

And for the first time in months, she really meant it.

_______

Kaia’s palms were clammy against the pen, the contract spread neatly on the table before her. Her agent sat to one side, casually adjusting his tie as he haggled over final figures with the coach, who seemed more eager than stern.