“My kid is going to freak out,” he tells me. “I can’t believe you’re not taking this stuff with you.”
“They gave me forty-eight hours to be on a plane and have a fitness assessment,” I grumble. “Pack up three years of my life. I sold this stuff before moving here, and I’ll buy what I need when I arrive.”
Ewan assists the movers in getting to the door and brings back some paperwork for me to sign. “Two of your cars will be transported in a week. Can you sign here?”
I do and look up at Chase. “Can you arrange for all this stuff to be taken care of?”
“I can and have companies that can help.”
Firing Flint before the move wasn’t my brightest moment, especially since he handles everything that requires a personal assistant. Ewan and Chase have been by my side for three years, and I trust them more than I trust Flint. It helps when I’m paying their wage until the end of the month, so all this shit gets sorted.
I let out a long breath.How the hell did I end up here in thesame situation? Again. At least I’m a lucky one, with no family or kids to sort out and no pets. It stings all the same.
I open the cupboard to see full shelves of food. “This needs to go to a homeless shelter.”
“Of course, boss.”
“And the furniture… if you don’t want it, Chase, then have a moving company donate it.”
“Are you sure you don’t want the movers to transport it to LA?”
I land a hand on Chase’s shoulder. “I sold most of my stuff before coming to Chicago because I wanted a fresh start. I’ll be in a hotel or furnished apartment for some time, and it suits me fine since I won’t be taking any of it home with me to Australia.”
Ewan squares his suited shoulders. “Most of my belongings will remain in storage. If you change your mind, I can arrange the storage for you,” his words trail off. He taps his pen on the notepad. Ewan frowns as he looks around my apartment, uncertainty in his eyes.
I wait for him to look at me.
“Mate, this fucking sucks.”
An hour later, Chase veers the black sedan onto the restricted runway as I stare at the private jet awaiting me. I’m seconds away from telling Chase to drive, to get me out of this hell.
My cell vibrates, and I let out a sigh, seeing my mother’s name.
“Mum. It’s not a good time. I’m at the airport.”
“I know, love. I wanted to say I’m thinking of you. Remind you that you can do this no matter how hard it gets.”
I close my eyes slowly, willing my heart to slow. “Thanks.”
“It takes strength not to ask yourselfwhyor question thesituation. No what-ifs. Mend what’s broken, son. Starting with you.” I swallow down the ball of fear in my throat. “Life goes on. It’s always darkest before dawn, and LA is your new dawn. The start of a new chapter, even if it doesn’t feel like it. Just don’t run back to what broke you.”
“It’s exactly what I’m doing,” I grumble.
“No, you’re not. You’re stronger. Wiser. You have a goal. Stick to it. I’m here for you. We’re only a phone call away.”
“I appreciate it, Mum.” I close my eyes and give myself a moment to think of every positive reason why this is a good idea. I refuse to carry the psychological baggage into the next phase of my career. Charlotte is the focal point, and even if she never speaks to me again, I will at least get to see her.
The chance to make the championships has been a priority since I was in college, and this could be a sign—my last hope of succeeding before I call time on my career.
Maybe the universe has a plan for me all along.
A wave of gratitude comes over me. I am playing the game I only dreamed about when I was an eight-year-old boy who slept with his basketball. No matter where or what team, I am living out my dream.
I open my eyes, intending to let go of all the toxic energy and see this as a second chance.
13
CHARLOTTE
