“I hope you’re right.”
He reaches under my chin to lift my head, so our eyes lock. There is so much concern in his gaze. I’m hit with a strong wave of emotion.
“I know I am, and even if I’m not, I’m here with you. Whatever happens, we’ll get through it together. We can do anything together.”
CHAPTER 23
Losing Everything
Bentley
Two months later …
There has been so much goingon as I get prepared for the combine and the draft and get ready to graduate. When I’m not focused on training or my classes, I’m with Zah, trying to keep her spirits up.
My baby has been so depressed. The trainers have just started to work on restoring motion and strength to her knee. I think it’s been weighing heavily on everyone’s mind how long her injury will take to heal and allow her to return to the field, especially Zah’s.
I’m doing my best to be present for her and remain focused on all the things I need to take care of. I know she’s not leaning on me as much as she needs to because she doesn’t want to be a bother.
That could have been me. I could be the one down with a torn ACL. There would be no draft and I’d be working on figuring out what the hell I plan to do with my life.
That’s something I’ve thought about a lot. I’m trying to see this all through her eyes and feelings. To go from being on top to this, I feel so bad for her.
“Just a minute,” I call out as my doorbell rings.
I just stepped out of the shower. I want to head over to see Zah and make sure she eats dinner. She’s been studying and keeping to herself a lot. Sometimes, not even taking time to eat.
Wrapped in a towel, I jog to the front door and look out. Seeing it’s Zah on her crutches, I quickly open the door. She has her hood up over her head and something is off about her posture that has nothing to do with the crutches.
“Baby?”
She looks up and that’s when I can see the tears rushing down her face. I quickly move to lift her off her feet, catching her crutches to toss them into the apartment out of my way. She wraps her arms around my neck and buries her face into my shoulder as she sobs.
“Zah, baby, what’s going on?”
“I’m losing my scholarship. Coach told me today after my session.”
“Ah shit. I’m so sorry, Zahirah. We’re going to figure this out, baby. I promise.”
“There’s nothing to figure out. My parents only allowed me to come here because of the scholarship. Now they’ll surely want me to come home.” She sniffles.
“Can you finish out the semester at least?”
“Coach said she’s working on that, but it’s not guaranteed.”
I take a seat on the couch and place her on my lap. Pushing her hood back, I look into her face. My heart is breaking.
“If they won’t cover the rest of the semester, I will. You don’t have to go home in the middle of all the hard work you’ve already put in.”
“I can’t ask you to do that. This is all so messed up. I … I don’t know how to feel. It’s like I’m losing everything I worked so hard for. Why is this happening?”
“I don’t know, baby, but I’m here for whatever you need. You don’t have to ask me. I’m going to take care of you. Besides, I’m sure if you tell your mom and dad what’s going on, they’re not going to allow your education to be interrupted,” I say.
“Thanks, Bent. I just needed someone to talk to. It feels like the sky is falling and I don’t know how to stop it.
“I mean, you always know something like this can happen, but when it does, it’s like you’re blindsided while watching the train run you over. None of the races, none of the wins make a difference. You can’t perform, so you don’t matter anymore.”
“You matter, baby. You matter to me, and you matter to everyone back home. Track doesn’t define anything about you.
