Chapter 13
RAWLEY
THREE DAYS LATER
RAWLEY: Hi. How’s the road trip going?
AVERY: I’m sorry, who’s this?
AVERY:
RAWLEY: Hurtful.
AVERY: You’ll survive. The road trip is fine. We lost the first one, but won the game tonight.
RAWLEY: I know. I checked the scores.
AVERY: Worried I’d be grumpy if we lost?
RAWLEY: Or ignore me.
AVERY:
RAWLEY: Nah. I’m unghostable.
AVERY: Is that a word??
RAWLEY: C’mon, you know I’m nothing if not a good time.
AVERY: Do I?
RAWLEY: Well, you will now that we’re texting.
AVERY: All I know from this conversation is your ego is healthy.
RAWLEY: That’s why I have you to keep it in check.
RAWLEY: ANYWAY it felt weird not to have spoken when they’re about to announce we’re dating.
AVERY: “Dating”
RAWLEY: Yeah, we all got it, Parker. It’s pretend.
RAWLEY: FYI I’m going to give Landon and Grace a heads-up before the statement. I’m not telling them it’s fake though.
AVERY: It feels weird, right?
RAWLEY: Yeah, but it would put them in an awkward position lying to others. At least now I’m the only one lying.
AVERY: Aiden said you told your younger brother? And that he signed an NDA?
RAWLEY: Yup. Intense, right?
AVERY. Very. Mom is going to be the only one in our family who knows.
AVERY: It’s for the best, I guess.
RAWLEY: Yeah.
AVERY: Well, good night.
RAWLEY: Good night. If you need to talk on Sunday after it’s out, text me.
THE NEXT DAY
BETTER TOGETHER CHAT
RAWLEY: No one freak out, okay.
LANDON: Shit, what is it?
RAWLEY: Tomorrow, Avery and I are confirming to the press we’re dating. So yeah, I wanted to let you know. We’re dating.
GRACE: OMG!!!
LANDON: That’s really awesome, Rawls. Rori says she’s excited for you.
GRACE: She seems so cool. I can’t wait to meet her.
RAWLEY: It’s very new so it may be a sec before she meets you guys.
CONNOR: Except for me. I’m going with Rawls to a Surge game next week.
LANDON: Wait, Connor knew first? Remember whose house you live in, Rawls.
LANDON: JK. Happy for you man.
GRACE: I KNEW something was up between the two of you in that video.
LANDON: Rori thanks you for distracting the media from the two of us.
RAWLEY: It’s going to be good times.
THE NEXT DAY AFTER THAT
@socialscoops
Fresh Faces, Fresh Love
As if we couldn’t tell from the video shown by @socialscoops first last week, it’s official—football star Rawley Battle and Orlando Surge’s Avery Parker are dating.
The two share the cover of the Orlando Daily News Sunday Magazine issue published today, under the title “The Fresh Faces of Orlando Sports.” According to the press release issued by the couple, sparks flew between them during the interview for the article.
“With the video circulating of us, we wanted to confirm that we are seeing each other. The connection between us at the interview was special, which led us to talking and ultimately, making this announcement today. We appreciate everyone’s excitement and look forward to supporting one another as our seasons progress. ”
No word yet on when we’ll see the two together again, but Parker returns to Orlando from a road trip in two days, after the Surge play in Boston.