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It had been a week since the thrilling game against Real Betis. Summer had been busy with her internship at FC Barcelona, trying to juggle the fast-paced environment of the team with her growing connection with Hector. The bond between them was becoming undeniable, but it was still unspoken, undefined.
Today was supposed to be a lighthearted break from work—an exclusive dinner for the team, sponsors, and a few select people from the club. Summer had been invited as an intern, and although she was nervous about fitting in, she was excited to experience the glamorous side of football.
But something was different today. Hector had been off all afternoon. He'd been distant, hardly texting her back, and when she asked him about the dinner, he deflected with a vague, "You'll see me there."
The venue was an upscale restaurant with a panoramic view of the city. The long table was filled with players, sponsors, and a few VIPs, all dressed to impress. Summer took a deep breath, stepping inside. She felt a little out of place—most of the others were at ease in the polished, high-class setting. She spotted the rest of the team: Gavi, Marc, Pau, and some others seated near the center. They were laughing, enjoying themselves.
Her eyes scanned the room for Hector. She spotted him at the far end of the room, walking in with Clara, a fellow intern who had recently joined the club. Clara was tall, with long, dark hair, and she had an easy confidence that made Summer feel suddenly small.
Hector greeted Clara with a warm, friendly smile, pulling her into a hug as he kissed her cheeks. The sight hit Summer in a way she hadn't expected.
"That was a hug, not a handshake," Marc teased, nudging Summer. He had apparently noticed her staring.
"Yeah," Summer replied, her voice thick with something she couldn't place. "It was... a hug."
Marc raised an eyebrow, glancing back toward Hector and Clara. "You think they're close?"
Summer's stomach twisted. "I don't know. It's just... Hector's never acted like that with me. He's always been more... reserved."
Marc chuckled, clearly not picking up on her discomfort. "Clara's cool. She's friendly with everyone, but don't read too much into it."
But Summer couldn't shake the feeling. She had been around Hector enough to know that his smile with Clara was different—warmer, more genuine. And the way he kept leaning toward her, touching her arm occasionally—it stung in a way Summer couldn't explain.
The dinner continued, and Summer tried to focus on the conversation around her. But her attention kept drifting toward Hector and Clara. She watched as Hector leaned in to listen to Clara's joke, his laughter echoing in her ears. The way he touched her shoulder—just a casual gesture, but Summer felt it like a punch in the gut.
Marc leaned in closer, noticing Summer's shift in mood. "Something's bothering you, Summer. You wanna talk about it?"
She hesitated, glancing over at Hector, then back at Marc. "I don't know... I just thought Hector and I... I don't know, had a connection. But he's acting like he's known Clara forever."
Marc took a sip of his drink. "Look, Hector's a good guy, but he's got his own way of doing things. If you feel like there's something more there, you should talk to him about it."
Summer swallowed, trying to ignore the nervous flutter in her stomach. She wasn't sure she was ready for that conversation. What if she was overthinking everything? But deep down, she couldn't shake the nagging feeling that something was off.
Later in the evening, Summer excused herself to the bathroom to get a moment alone. Her mind raced as she stared at herself in the mirror. What if I'm just being paranoid? What if Hector doesn't feel the same?
When she returned, Hector and Clara were still talking animatedly at the other end of the table. Hector's face was lit with a smile that Summer recognized all too well. Clara was leaning in as if she were telling him a secret, her fingers brushing lightly against his arm. Summer felt a sinking sensation in her chest.
"Everything alright, Summer?" Marc asked again, sensing her unease.
"Yeah," she said, trying to force a smile. "Just... I don't know. Hector and Clara seem close, don't they?"
Marc glanced over at them. "Yeah, they've known each other for a while. Clara's new, but she's been hanging out with the team a lot." He grinned at Summer. "Maybe you should just go over there and say hi. Show them that you're part of the group."
Summer nodded, but it didn't make her feel better. She had been spending more time with Hector lately—did that mean nothing to him? Why was it so easy for him to talk to Clara, to be so comfortable?
Just as Summer was about to stand up, Hector approached her, his usual charm back in full force.
"Hey, Summer, I didn't see you there," he said, flashing that boyish smile that always made her heart skip a beat.
"Yeah, you were too busy with Clara," Summer replied, her voice cooler than she intended.
Hector frowned. "What's up with you?"
"Nothing," she said quickly. "Just... seems like you and Clara are getting along."
He looked at her for a moment, then shrugged, nonchalantly taking a seat next to her. "Yeah, she's new, and we're talking about some stuff. She's been around the team a lot lately. What's the big deal?"
Summer's stomach churned. "I don't know. You just look... close."
Hector leaned in, his expression softening. "Summer, you know I care about you, right?"
Her heart raced, but she wasn't sure what to say. "It just felt like you were... distracted tonight."
"Come on," he said with a small laugh, "we're all friends here. Clara's just a teammate, nothing more."
Summer stared at him, trying to gauge if there was any truth in his words. But the way he said it, the way he looked at Clara just moments ago—she wasn't so sure anymore.
"Okay," she finally said, forcing a smile. "If that's how you feel."
Hector studied her for a moment, clearly sensing the shift in her mood. "Summer, don't be like this. You're overthinking it."
"I'm not overthinking anything," she replied quietly. "But maybe you should stop lying to yourself."
Hector sighed, his expression turning serious. "Summer, it's not what you think."
She stood up abruptly, unable to look at him any longer. "I need some air."
As she walked away, she could hear Hector calling after her, but she didn't turn around. She didn't know what to think anymore. Was Hector being honest, or was he hiding something from her?
authors note:
debating wether or not should I post my second hector fort book rn because i finished the first chap please let me know🙏
