The Long Game

Cameron and Adalyn go to Josie’s cafe to meet her mother, Maricela, a vivid and outspoken woman who immediately takes a liking to Cameron. During their visit, Josie announces that another team in the league was disqualified, so the Green Warriors have made the league finals after all.

Later, Maricela and Adalyn talk about Adalyn’s banishment from Miami. Maricela reveals she never married Adalyn’s father because he kept secrets about his past. She believed him when he said he wasn’t cheating on her, but his refusal to share himself and his life with her showed her she was never his equal. She warns Adalyn against putting her father on a pedestal, fearing he will eventually disappoint her. Maricela gives her full approval of Cameron, noting that he looks at Adalyn with obvious desire. Unable to sleep, Adalyn goes to Cameron on the couch. They cuddle, and he confesses that he has purchased the Lazy Elk Lodge. He promises to tear down her shabby cottage and build her something better, telling her he will always give her more than she asks for.

Cameron oversees practice from the sidelines as Tony coaches the Green Warriors. He calls his former agent, Liam, who confirms rumors that Adalyn’s father is in negotiations to sell the Miami Flames. Cameron asks Liam to investigate further, keep him informed of anything he learns, and to say no to all offers on the table.

Adalyn summons Cameron to her office, leaving Tony to run practice alone. She initiates a sexual encounter, letting Cameron know how much she wants him. Afterward, he gives her his hoodie to wear, and they agree to continue their encounter that night.

At a good luck dinner for the team, Robbie thanks Adalyn for the positive influence she has had on his son, Tony. Back at the cabin, Adalyn gives Cameron a custom t-shirt she and the team designed for him. They acknowledge their deep emotional connection and spend the night having sex.

Adalyn wakes up in Cameron’s bed and receives a video call from Matthew, who is shocked to see her in Cameron’s bed. After introductions, Matthew warns Cameron not to hurt Adalyn. Cameron surprises her by responding that he won’t and is simply waiting for her to let him be part of her future. When Matthew tries to ask Cameron journalistic questions, Adalyn comes fiercely to his defense. Before hanging up, a somber Matthew urges Adalyn to check an important email he sent, which was the original reason for his call. After she hangs up, Cameron gives her his signet ring on a chain and invites her to join him in the shower. Troubled by Matthew’s tone, Adalyn foregoes the shower and decides to open the email.

Adalyn suffers a panic attack after reading an email from Matthew revealing that her father is selling the Miami Flames to David. Cameron finds her and helps her calm down, but Adalyn notes his lack of surprise and realizes that he already knew about the sale. Cameron admits his agent told him about the rumors the previous day. He explains he kept it from her because he wanted to confirm the information and protect her from being hurt before her team’s big game, wanting her to have one worry-free day.

Feeling betrayed and that he doesn’t trust her to handle her own problems, Adalyn accuses him of keeping her in a fantasy world. Cameron counters that he sees her strength and wants to protect her because of it, confessing his deep feelings and desire to make her happy. Despite his reassurances, Adalyn decides she must return to Miami alone to fix the situation. She pushes him away by telling him to take the RBC job in England. Cameron refuses, trying to reassure her but stops short of saying he loves her. He asks if she meant it when she said she would let him help her, but Adalyn concludes their time together is over and she must face this reality by herself.

At the soccer field, Cameron is consumed by regret, realizing he made the wrong call not telling Adalyn about the Flames’ sale. His actions made her feel untrusted, prompting her to leave for Miami alone. Torn, he debates following her but fears his presence would only reinforce her belief that he sees her as incapable. His internal spiral is interrupted by María, who interrogates him about why Adalyn left. Cameron admits he loves Adalyn but has never told her. María responds by using Cameron’s own coaching advice against him. She insists that he should be with Adalyn, even if he made a mistake, because she might need him. This conversation provides him with clarity, knowing that Adalyn is “everything that’s worth playing for” (349). The chapter ends with María’s confident assertion that he will get Adalyn back, cementing his new resolve to act.

Adalyn arrives at the Miami Flames office to find her access has been revoked. With help from her former assistant, Kelly, she bypasses security and bursts into her father’s office to stop the team’s sale. There, she finds her father with David. Adalyn tells him she knows everything, prompting Andrew to send David away. Not realizing that Adalyn is talking about the Flames’ sale, Andrew shocks her by revealing that Josie is his illegitimate daughter, making her Adalyn’s half-sister, and the information floors Adalyn. He confesses he’s the secret “angel investor” for Green Oak, his true hometown, and that he sent Adalyn there partly hoping she would discover the truth.

When Adalyn challenges him on his decision to sell the Miami Flames, demanding to know if he had ever intended to let her run the club one day, Andrew responds, “You could have any role within our portfolio. Real estate, infrastructure companies, even one of the resorts we own. Have your pick. But not the club” (359). Adalyn realizes her father’s decisions were never made to protect her but to protect himself from David’s blackmail and preserve his own reputation. Seeing his complete lack of remorse, Adalyn gives him an ultimatum: He has 24 hours to tell her mother and Josie the truth, or she will. She also demands he relieve all of the debt on the Vasquezes’ farm. Then, stepping through the door, she resigns.

Panicked and unable to reach Adalyn, Cameron flies to Miami and takes a cab to the Flames’ headquarters to find her. Adalyn calls him, distraught, and reveals she was on her way back to him. Cameron directs his cab to the Flames’ grounds, where they have an emotional reunion. He profusely apologizes, says, “I fucking love you” (364). He also reveals he called the local county and state press himself to ensure the Green Warriors’ Six Hills win was publicized. Their moment is interrupted by David. When Cameron moves to confront him, Adalyn intervenes and punches David herself. Kelly then reveals she has video evidence of David’s wrongdoing, which will protect Adalyn. Free from her old job, Adalyn tells Cameron she is starting a new youth club in North Carolina and offers him the position of coaching director. Cameron enthusiastically accepts, and they end the chapter fully reconciled and planning their future together.

Over a year later, Adalyn and Cameron are happily in love and celebrating the first anniversary of their successful Warriors Soccer Youth Club. Adalyn has left the Miami Flames, and Cameron has transitioned from player to coach, finding fulfillment in developing young talent. Both have attended therapy, which has helped Adalyn manage her anxiety and Cameron deal with repercussions of a break-in that predates these chapters. Adalyn’s relationship with her sister, Josie, has grown strong, and they are working through their father’s attempts to make amends.

The celebration kicks off with a one-on-one match between Adalyn and Cameron, which he wins. Their affectionate post-game banter is interrupted by Josie, who is on a call with Adalyn’s friend, Matthew. After some playful bickering between Josie and Matthew reveals a potential spark, Matthew’s tone becomes serious and he asks Adalyn to use the Lazy Elk Lodge, implying he is in some kind of trouble.