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“You think?”
“I know,” he says, kissing my head and pulling me into a bear hug. “I’ll never forget your mum, but she was hurting in the end. It was better that way.”
“Yeah,” I say, sobbing into his chest.
“Sometimes, you have to let the people you love go.”
My heart shrivels up in my chest, but I know he’s right. “It’s hard.”
“The hardest,” he says, stroking my hair. “But we Grants are strong people.” He cups my face in his hands and looks me in the eye. “Think about your success in your own career. You finally won the contest! Hard work pays off. I’m so proud of you.”
“Thank you, Dad. But thinking about the article only makes me think of Wade. He’s the reason I won.”
“You’re the reason you won. Wade didn’t write that bloody article. Anyway, I’m still getting a copy as soon as it’s out. To add to my collection.”
I wrinkle my brow, drying my tears. “What collection?”
“Of all your articles, of course,” he explains, as if it’s the most blatant thing in the world. “I have a binder with all the things you’ve written since you started.”
My mouth falls open. “Just like you did with mum?”
“Exactly like that. She would be so proud of you too.”
I drop my head against his chest again, soothed by the way he’s stroking my cheek. If my dad managed to get over losing my mum, I know I can overcome this. It just sucks that it has to hurt so much in the meantime.
25
Grand Gesture
Wade
The press conference is today, the one where I make one of the most important decisions of my life and hope it’s the right call. Wiping my palms against my jeans, I draw a deep breath.
“Are you okay?” Ashley asks. Her green eyes narrow on me as I pace around the waiting room. The interview should start any minute.
I can only nod, my throat too tight to speak.
“Here.” She hands me a bottle of water. I drink half of it in one go.
“I’m going to ask one more time, because it’s my job,” Taylor chimes in, shoving his hands in his trouser pockets and leaning against the wall. “Are you sure this is the right move? I don’t want you to regret your choice. I know how you feel about having a family. But I also know how you feel about your career.”
“I’m sure, Taylor.” My tone is final. Frankly, after my conversation with Roxy last week, I didn’t have to think about it long.
“We’re ready for you,” a short bloke with a headset announces, passing his head through the doorframe.
I give him a curt nod and follow him to the press conference room. He motions for me to sit behind an oblong white table mounted with half a dozen microphones.
My eyes flit around the room. It’s a full house. At least ten rows of chairs are arranged, and not a single one is empty. In the second row on the left, I spot my old acquaintance Julia. Her eyes are locked on me, voice recorder at the ready.
I clear my throat and begin. “Thank you for coming.” When the chatter dies down, I continue, “I know why you’re all here today, so I’ll cut right to the chase. Rumours have been circulating about my possible departure to Real Madrid. These rumours are true.”
A ruffle of paper and clothes ripples through the room. Their excitement is palpable.
“I did consider transferring,” I go on. “But in the end, I did not accept their offer.”
As soon as the words leave my mouth, I feel lighter than a feather. Gasps fill the room as the reporters burst into questions, shouting incomprehensibly at me.
I hold a hand up, and the room goes quiet. “I’m happy to announce that I have decided to renew my contract with the London Regents FC. London is my home. It’s the first Premier League club that ever gave me a chance, and it wouldn’t feel right playing somewhere else. This is a decision made from love. For my team, for my supporters, for my family.” I pause and glance away. “For the love of my life.”
