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“Spill…”
“It’s Sebastian’s and my anniversary. I’ve planned a night away, and Lizzie was supposed to babysit, but she’s got food poisoning. If I cancel, it’s non-refundable.”
“You want me to babysit? At your place?”
“Pretty please? Don’t worry about Olly. He’s out tonight. He said he wouldn’t be home until tomorrow.”
The disappointment stabbed me like a thousand knives. And just like that, the man who I thought I knew has become a complete stranger once again. Oliver never mentioned going out, let alone overnight. He has a whole other life I know nothing about. Surely, it involves a woman. We are nothing. He’s certainly not tied to me whatsoever.
“Sure, I can take care of Ace.” I smile, hiding my humiliation. “Go. Enjoy yourself and have copious amounts of sex, making every woman in the rooms surrounding yours jealous.”
Lana winks, laughing. “That’s the plan.”
Thirteen
Oliver
“I’d like to refer you to a specialist in Colorado.”
Dr. Wheeler slides over a piece of paper with some contact details.
“He’s an old college friend of mine, but I can speak to him privately and organize for you to see him as soon as you can get there.”
It isn’t the news I was hoping for. As I sit here, squirming in this uncomfortable chair and listening to Dr. Wheeler, I try my best to ignore the nagging voice inside my head telling me the fight is over.
I’m naïve to think my scans would come back positive, and straight off the bat, he would tell me I could play again.
It takes me a moment to process and accept another roadblock in the journey of finding my way back to playing soccer. With my posture fallen and mood souring by the minute, I leave Dr. Wheeler’s office to pull out my phone, needing to hear her voice at this very moment.
“Olly?”
“Hey, Ma.”
I miss her so much, more than I care to admit. Being here feels so far away from home, and the sound of her voice reminds me of that.
“Is everything okay?” she asks, worried. “It’s… oh, wait a minute, your day, our night.”
“Just wanted to check in. How are things back home?”
“Pa just installed a new aviary out back, which means he spends all his time trying to find exotic birds online. Can you remind me why I married such a man?”
I can’t help but smile. Pa is quirky that way and no doubt depleting their retirement fund on some bird from Africa that could repeat the alphabet as well as hum to classical music.
“And you, Ma?”
“I’m missing you, kid. That’s for sure.”
“Miss you, too, Ma.” I let out a sigh and proceed to tell her about the appointment.
My parents have been by my side every step of the way. Ever since I could remember, they supported my desire to play soccer. When I was twelve, I tried out for an elite sports school in Sydney. I received a partial scholarship, and in just a few weeks, Pa sold our country home and moved our entire family to Sydney.
They drove me to games and spent copious amounts of money on holiday programs to develop my skills. They were, and always have been, my biggest supporters.
“You’ve never been one to give up, Olly. So, you’ve hit a roadblock, that’s why detours were invented. Book your flight, get your butt up to Colorado, and if you need us, you know we’ll fly up in a heartbeat.”
“I know, Ma. Thanks for the chat. I better go. Love you.”
“Love you, too, my son.”
