She lets out a heavy exhale, flipping onto her back with her eyes closed. Sitting on my hands does nothing to stop me from reaching out to stroke her cheek, and I smile when she doesn’t pull away.
“You gave me a method that worked, so thank you.” Exhaustion coats her voice, making it huskier than usual. It’s always low and comforting, but it’s making me feel dizzy.
“I didn’t know,” she says after a while. “I didn’t remember you were there that night until I heard you guys talking about it in the parking lot. I must have blocked it out with all the stress and news and medicine. I’m sorry. I should have—”
For the second time today, I take her hand, interlocking our fingers. “Don’t apologize to me. You did nothing wrong.”
“But why didn’t you say anything? You acted like nothing happened.”
“Because I didn’t do it for acknowledgment. I did it for you, Eddie.”
Another promise is met with disbelieving eyes, searching mine for a lie or exaggeration. I can promise she won’t find one. Not today. Not ever.
“I can’t believe I stayed with him for so long. I feel so stupid.” Mallory lets out a self-deprecating laugh. “How did I not see how terrible he was?”
I squeeze her hand. “You wanted to see the best in someone you cared about. There’s nothing stupid about that. I know it’s been over a year, but do you still—”
“Love him? Hell no.”
The knot in my stomach releases. While I could’ve guessed from the way she acted today, hearing the words makes it feel so much more real.
“Good. He’s pretty terrible,” I say, and she nods in agreement.
“Thank you, Gray. For being there for me that night and today. There are a lot of things to be afraid of, but I’m not going to let something so small be the reason I can’t move forward today.”
Without another word, her eyes flutter shut, and the small room is filled with quiet snores that release the tension in my jaw, shoulders, and stomach.
It’s been a few minutes since she fell asleep, and her words are still ringing in my head. Mallory isn’t going to let her shitty ex-boyfriend ruin her day, so why can’t I let one race go? I’ve raced more timesthan I can count, and while I can’t remember them all, I know that nationals wasn’t the first bad race I’ve ever had. And it definitely won’t be the last.
If I keep letting fear run me, I’ll never find out what’s waiting for me on the other side. “Thank you, Eddie,” I whisper.
When I’m sure she’s okay, I half-heartedly untangle our hands, walk out of the room, and make my way to Michaela. Her forehead wrinkles when I step into her office’s doorway.
“Mallory is in room two. She wasn’t feeling well after practice. Just wanted to let you know.”
Suspicion shifts into concern as she pushes past me and sprints down the hallway.
When I step outside, the sun is dipping low into the sky, and I pull my phone out.
Cade (sexiest man alive)
Where are you? The game is starting.
Me
Got caught up with something. Be there in 5.
After pressing send, I open another chat and my fingers fly across the keyboard, sending it before I can talk myself out of it.
Me
I won’t be in class Thursday because I’ll be traveling for a meet. Today stays between you and me. I promise, Eddie. Get home safely.
Chapter Thirteen
“You should have seenhim, Fishie. He looked like Denzel Washington. Tall and handsome in that black suit. I wanted to eat him up.”
I gag for what feels like the millionth time. “Nan, I love you, but I can’t handle hearing about your date with Titus. Keep the raunchiness for the ladies at physical therapy.” I glance at the microwave and check the time. “It’s barely nine. Can’t old people have dates that go any later?”
