22
Reyes
After I’d woken up for the second time on Friday, I’d spent most of the day cleaning up Wyatt’s front yard, trimming the bushes, and mowing the yard. It felt damn good to be helping him, though my concerns were still there. He wasn’t outwardly showing any symptoms other than being sluggish. It had taken me nearly four hours to clean up two of the planters and trim the bushes. It was hard work that kept my mind busy, which was exactly what I needed.
I had tried to call Rome to talk about the position, but he had a few meetings scheduled, so it would have to wait. My mind kept drifting back to how incredible it’d felt to wake up with Jake in my arms. I honestly hadn’t expected him to stay the night after all I’d said on the beach, but he continued to be with me, even with all his uncertainties. I wished there was a way to show him he had nothing to worry about, that all his fears about me growing tired of his job or the stress he brought home was simply never going to happen. I cared for Jake deeply, which meant his burden was mine, whether he wanted it to be or not. The same would be true no matter what career he had.
As soon as Harrison got home from school, he helped me clean up all the branches I’d trimmed. His endless chatter as we worked amused me. His voice always seemed to rise an octave whenever he spoke of his teacher, Mr. Price, and I could tell Harrison looked up to him. When it was time for me to go, Harrison hugged me tighter than usual.
“I don’t want next week to be my last week with you!” he said.
I knelt and took him in my arms, nearly letting it slip that it might not have to be. I knew better than to make promises I wasn’t sure I could keep though, so I kept my mouth shut. Instead, I sent up my silent prayers that the conversation with Rome would go well. I was more certain than ever I was doing the right thing. I wanted this coaching position just as badly as I’d wanted my spot on the national team, and I had to believe I would get it. I’d already drafted my press release to announce my retirement in hopes I could move things along, because I was eager for this new beginning. The pain of being let go from the team had turned into excitement for the future I was going to see here, with these kids. And Jake.
On Saturday,I’d arrived at the clinic a couple hours early. Rome was studying something in the office when I entered, and didn’t bother with a greeting when he glanced up. My first clue he was stressed.
“Hey,” I tried, but he still didn’t say anything. The other office chair was currently loaded with a few boxes, so I unfolded the chair Harrison had brought in on Thursday and sat down across from Rome.
“You’re early,” he said flatly.
“I know.”
“Why?”
“Came to talk to you.”
He set down the pen he was holding and gave me his full attention. “About?”
I opened my mouth to speak when I noticed the dark circles under his eyes and mussed-up hair. It looked like he had raked his fingers through it one too many times.
“It can wait. Tell me what’s wrong.”
Rome let his head fall to the back of the chair. Every second of silence seemed to stretch on forever, making me more and more anxious. Finally, he sighed and slid a piece of paper across the desk at me. It was a formal letter from the bank, explaining the loan for the new building had been denied.
“They turned you down? After all that? Didn’t they promise a decent rate since it was for the community?”
He shrugged. “They’re not independently owned, which means someone higher up the corporate ladder didn’t like what they saw on paper. They gave us a counter offer, but…” he scoffed, “there’s no way we can afford it.”
I flipped to the second page and gawked at the outrageous amount. It was more than double the original price.
“They said they’d only honor our original asking price if we paid for everything up front, in cash, which you know we can’t do. We’re struggling to make ends meet as it is, and I’m at risk of cutting some of the spring classes because we don’t have enough coaches, but we can’t hire any more either.”
Anger rose from the deepest part of me. How could the bank deny them after all they’d promised not only HotShots but the people of Reedsport? Those kidsdeservedthe clinic. Theyneededit. Harrison needed it. I couldn’t even imagine what would happen to him without it at this point.
“Let me help,” I blurted.
Rome lifted his head and looked at me. “Help?” he asked. “How? It’s nearly two hundred grand! And that’s just the building. There’s going to be licensing fees and permits, you name it.”
I didn’t back down. “I’ll pay for it.”
He blinked a few times before leaning over and resting his forearms on the desk. “I can’t let you do that, especially if you’re not even going to be here. It’s too much, Rey.”
“I am.”
“You are what?”
I smiled. “I’d like to stay if that position is still available.”
Twice in a matter of minutes, Rome was speechless. “Well, you know I’d love to have you, but I still can’t let you pay for our facility.”
