Before I leave, I call my agent.He freaks out, obviously.I have never deluded myself into thinking we were friends.I know his whole job is around me, making money so he can make money.
“You’re WHAT?Nate...Jesus Christ, you can’t just...”
“I can.I’m not asking,” I tell him.“I’m telling you.After this season, I’m done.”
I call my financial planner next.She’s calm, almost relieved.It surprises the hell out of me.
“You’ve been burning the candle at both ends for years, Nate.You have more than enough to walk away.I’ll send new projections today.”
"And everything we talked about?"I ask.
"It is all in motion, Nate, exactly as you requested."
I hang up and breathe for a second.I feel it, another layer sheds...Another part of the weight on my chest goes with it.
Next, I message the guys:
Me:Selling the penthouse.
Me:If any of you want it before I list it, let me know.
McKenna:???
Jensen:???
Anders:WHAT???
I ignore it for now, because none of the logistics matter yet.Not until it's all done and I've told her everything.I gather the letters I’ve written to her, pages and pages of truth I didn’t have the courage to say out loud and tuck them into my duffel, next to the t-shirt she used to sleep in, and I couldn't give back.
Then… I call her.
The second the first ring goes through the speaker; I hold my breath.
She answers softly, breathily, like she’s been debating whether she should.“Hello.”
My chest goes tight.
“Tess,” I breathe.“Hey.”
I can hear her woosh of breath through the line, and I can only hope it is because she feels the same about hearing my voice, that she misses me, too.
“Hi, Nate.”
God, I missed her.Missed hearing my name from her full lips.
“I, uh...I need to tell you something.”My voice comes out lower than I expect.
Another pause, another deep breath and then softer, “Me too.”
Those two words spark something inside me. “Can I come to you?”I ask.“Tonight?”
She hesitates just long enough to cause my heart rate to escalate, and then, with a tone that makes me feel like she is smiling, she says, “Yes.”
I swallow hard, nodding even though she can’t see me.
“I have practice and a quick meeting to deal with at the arena,” I say.“I’ll come straight after.”
“Okay.”
