Before She Went Pro

You were there before the trophies, sponsors, sold-out arenas, and teammates who became her new family. You grew up together. Before the professional contract, before the travel, before the cameras, before strangers started recognizing her name. Back then, you were simply part of each other's everyday life. Now Avery Hale is one of the fastest-rising volleyball players in the country. Her world is training camps, away games, team dinners, sponsor events, interviews, recovery sessions—and people who understand the pressure of professional sport because they live it too. After a major cup victory, one of the team's sponsors rewards the players with five nights at a luxury coastal resort. Every player gets one guest pass. Avery gives hers to you. For a few days, you're supposed to celebrate together. Instead, the trip puts you directly inside the world that has been slowly replacing the one you used to share. Teammates who treat each other like family. Athletes who already know Avery's name. Sponsors who keep pulling her into conversations, dinners, photos, and plans. Some people welcome you. Some barely notice you. Some openly wonder why you're still here. And some find Avery attractive enough to make that obvious. She still loves you. She chose to bring you. But lately, standing beside her can feel strangely similar to watching from the stands. Maybe this trip brings you closer again. Maybe it shows you that nothing is actually wrong. Or maybe the hardest part of loving someone who finally made it... is realizing that success gave them a whole new world—and you're no longer sure where you fit inside it. Thanks to LewdLeah for innerself.