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I continue to call her every day, even if it’s just to leave a voicemail because she doesn’t pick up. Sometimes we talk, but more often than not, I tell her I just wanted to hear her voice.
Training camp is still kicking my ass, but getting to go home every night helps. And hearing her voice at the end of each day is the balm I need to soothe my aching muscles.
It’s the motivation I need to go harder tomorrow.
I tell her that, too.
She’s flattered.
“I love you,” I say to her one night.
“I know you do. And you know how I feel.”
Do I, though?
I don’t question her, though I’m starting to feel a sense of desperation.
As we wait for our defense meeting to start, I overhear Dave Redmayne talking about how his daughter’s birthday is coming up and they have no idea where to go to get a cake.
“I know someone,” I tell him.
I give him her number.
I look for ways to promote her talents.
And it’s as I make a final decision about her talents that I finally realize…I need to call her brother.
I need to be honest with him.
It’s the only path forward for us.
I’ll never have her dad’s approval, but having Beckett’s is just as important.
I’ve never been nervous to call him before, but I’ve also never called him with the sort of confession I’m about to make.
I’m not just worried about his reaction. I’m worried I’m putting our friendship on the line for something that isn’t guaranteed. If anything, it’s something she has made clear she doesn’t want. But I finally know what to do to get her to believe that I trust in her, us, and our future.
And it’s the absolute guarantee that there is a future for us. The only way to do that is to invest in something we can create a future from.
I draw a deep breath, my chest tightening as I get ready to make this call.
“Grayson Nash,” my best friend answers. “To what do I owe the pleasure this time?”
“Just checking in on you, old buddy.”
“I figured it had something to do with that viral video of you that I was in, too.”
“Eh, that’s old news at this point.” It really is, though. The charity ball was nearly two months ago, and has it really been that long since I spoke with Beckett?
“I’m glad it blew over. I figured it would. These things always do.”
“How’s Rachel?” I ask.
“She’s incredible. Glowing and feeling great. How’s Vegas? How’s my sister? Still faking things?”
“About that,” I begin.
“Uh oh…”
