“So, Audrey is back.” Gramps leans back in his rocker. It creaks on the old wooden boards. I stare out at the bare trees in the front yard as I kick my feet up on the railing.
“She is.”
“How do you feel about that?” Gramps sips on his scotch.
“Honestly? I don’t know.”
It’s hard to voice the thoughts racing through my head.
“You loved her. You have to have some feelings on her coming back.”
I wish I had a drink right now. Anything to distract myself from thoughts of Audrey.
Since the minute she walked into the gym, she’s consumed my every waking thought. It’s been years since I last saw her, but even then, she’s always been with me.
I watched every single one of her races. Cheered her on and felt her heartache when she lost. There has never been another person who has had such a hold over me.
Only Audrey.
“I’ve missed her, Gramps. But she really doesn’t want anything to do with me.”
“Does she know why you let her go?”
“No.”
The only person who knows the real reason is sitting next to me. When Gramps asked about her, I couldn’t lie. But I also didn’t want my entire family to know. I hated how I ended things with her. A coward’s way out.
But she deserved everything that she’s gotten since I left her. A few World Cup medals and new sponsorships. She’s out there taking over while my life came to a grinding halt.
“You need to tell her, son. She deserves the truth.”
“And what if she hates me even more because of it?”
“Then that’s a risk you’ll have to take.”
I know Gramps is right. Audrey needs to know why I let her go. Not because I didn’t love her, but because I didn’t want her to stay behind because of me.
What if she forgives me? What if this could be a second chance for the two of us?
I’m afraid to even entertain the idea. Audrey was the best thing to ever happen to me. Do I want a second chance with her? Of course I do. But I don’t even have any idea what her current relationship status is, so it might be too much to hope for.
Maybe she was sent here for a reason. Maybe it’s our chance.
Maybe…just, maybe this is a risk I want to take.
Because it could give me back everything I’ve always wanted.
My careerandAudrey.
ChapterSix
AUDREY
Abiting cold wind whips through the town.
Fuck. I don’t remember it being this cold here.
With getting a place in town near the gym, I don’t bother with my car. The one thing I do remember about this place? Everything is a five-minute walk away.
