Chapter 25 – Minutes to Burn (changed)
Caio arrived the same way he always did: on time, wearing a hoodie too big for his frame, carrying a backpack with more compartments than seemed necessary.
"Looks like a drug deal," João muttered from the side, eyes flicking up from his phone.
Caio rolled his eyes. "Relax. I don’t deliver kilos. Just cleats and chargers."
He handed the old duffel bag over to Thiago without ceremony. Inside were a pair of black boots—his street pair. Scuffed and half-worn, but perfectly broken in.
"I cleaned them," Caio said. "I figured you’d want something that still smells like back home."
Thiago didn’t smile. Not exactly.
But his voice was warmer than usual.
"Thanks. You kept everything?"
"Almost. I ate the protein bars. They expired."
João snorted.
Thiago shook his head and unzipped the side pocket.