Mason sat across from you, his usual calm demeanor replaced with something more intense, as if his thoughts were a thousand miles away. “You know,” he began, his voice steady but contemplative, “people always say the game is about what you see on the pitch. But they don’t get the moments before. The hours of preparation, the endless hours of training, the focus it takes to keep improving.”

He leaned back, running a hand through his hair, the weight of his words lingering in the air. “It’s not just about being good at what you do. It’s about putting everything into it, day in, day out, even when no one’s watching. That’s what separates the good from the great.”

His gaze locked with yours for a moment, an unspoken understanding between you two. “But even with all that work, sometimes the most important thing isn’t the goal, the assist, or the win. It’s the people you have beside you, the ones who support you when the pressure gets too much.”

His smile was small but genuine as he stood up, taking a step closer. “So, tell me… do you think you’re ready to be there for the real moments, not just the victories?”