My hands fly to my temples as I mutter, “The decision deadline.” Louder now, I say, “The decision…youmade a decision already?” My knees buckle, and I stagger to the futon.
“I had to make one before the deadline or else I wouldn’t be eligible to play.” Danny’s all stoicism as he joins me on the couch.
Avoiding eye contact now, I desperately try to sort out how this happened. “How…how did you make a decision like that so quickly?”
“I’d been thinking about it for a few weeks. I did a ton of research, for both me and you, and?—”
I shoot up from the couch. “Weeks? You did a ton of research overweeks. You were thinking about transferring for…weeks. And then you didn’t tell me for three days.” Squeezing my eyes tightly shut, I wish this was just a nightmare.
“I wanted all the information before I brought you into it, Gracie. I wanted to do the bulk of the work so you wouldn’t have to stress. I did so much research, baby. I talked to all of the animal science professors, and they’re going to match your scholarship terms over to Westchester. They have an open internship spot under their dean ready for you. It really is a perfect scenario, where we can both live out our dreams, and?—”
“I’m not going to New York, Danny.”
“You’re not…what?”
Opening my eyes and staring directly into his, I repeat, “I’m not going to New York.”
He leans forward as if he wants to move but can’t. “This was always the plan for us, me playing for the Mustangs one day.”
I raise an eyebrow. “Yeah. One day after college. Or did you forget that we made plans for Easton in the here and now?”
“I…I got your scholarship figured out. The vet school there is great.”
“You justgotme a scholarship? I didn’t earn that, Danny. I didn’t even apply. I don’t want it.”
“They looked at your credentials. It was based on merit.”
I roll my eyes. “It was based on your ability to catch a ball.”
He stands to meet me, ducking his chin in an attempt to catch my gaze.
“They know we’re a pair. It’s like we’re both a part of the team. They’re even going to give us a stipend to fly back and visit home a few times per semester.”
Overcome with nervous energy, I start to pace back and forth. The room is so small that I can only take four steps in each direction.
“Mae is here. My friends are here.”
He backs up toward the door, giving me space to walk. “Mae wants you to live life, Gracie. Imagine how much life there is to live in New York. And I’ve spoken with some of the current WVU players. There’s a really tight group of girlfriends there, like there is here at Easton. You’ll fit right in. We’re only a couple months into college, so there’s still time to build social circles.” Danny pauses. “And…and you’ll have me.”
I scoff. “Like I have you now? With all of your secret keeping, all of your silent planning, and how could I forget? All of thetransferring to another state without telling me?”
Danny tilts his head in shock at my harsh tone. The icy edge is new to me, too.
I want to cry, but I’m surprised to find that anger is my leading emotion. I’m not sad, and I’m not anxious. I don’t feel rushed… I feelfurious. I can’t remember ever being this angry. Not when Danny was dating Tori, not when I was bullied at school for my stutter, not even when my mom died.
“I know you’re upset, Gracie, and I blame myself for not telling you sooner. I just was so deep in the thick of it. I didn’t want to bother you.”
I’m nearly shaking with rage as I abruptly stop pacing to face him. “You didn’t want tobotherme, so you made decisions on my behalf and assumed I would…what? Just tag along? Like some sort of puppy?” I gesture wildly, feeling out of control.
He pauses a second too long.
“Oh. I see,” I seethe. I lower my voice as I pretend to be Danny. “‘Poor Gracie, she doesn’t have any roots. Mae is getting older. I’m her world. My future is her future.’” I turn away from him and catch my breath. “Am I right?”
“Of course not. I don’t think that at all. I…I honestly thought you’d be happy for me.”
Swiveling my head around so quickly I get dizzy, I ask, “Areyouhappy for you, Danny? Giving up on your team during the first sign of adversity? Is that who you are now?”
He crosses his arms. “That’s not fair. They broke their promise to me first.”
