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Me: Are you still at Grans?
Lettie: No. How did you know?
Me: Reed.
Lettie: Oh, so that’s why Brooke has left me fifteen messages.
Me: You should talk to your friends. Sometimes they say things we haven’t thought of.
Lettie: I’m late for training.
Me: I miss my girlfriend
She doesn’t respond.
My coaches have heard about Lettie and me breaking up. They don’t approach me about it; I guess they’re giving me the opportunity to work it out before they lay into me. Just get me out of here and onto the next thing on my schedule. Honestly, I’m tired of it all.
My can is empty. I barely have the energy to shower and change for my dad’s event at the Opera House. I feel the tension as I rush into my father’s political event—late. My dad shoots me a disapproving look before pulling a political mask on. “Daisy’s waiting.”
“Waiting for what? Where’s Mom?”
“She’s not coming. Now go. You need to be seen and photographed together.”
“Dad, I’m in no mood. The only thing I want to do is call Lettie.” I give him a half-cocked smile. “She returned my messages this morning.”
He clears his throat, straightening his tie. “Is that so? You need to focus on basketball. Don’t push me. Now go. I told you I’m making her dad my chief of staff tonight.”
He pushes me toward Daisy. Politely, I put my arm around her waist in front of the cameras with the Greathouse for US Senate logo behind us. Our fathers come on each side of us, taking more. Then out of nowhere, Daisy kisses my cheek.
Through gritted teeth, I whisper, “What the hell?” But she just smiles. I break from the group, and Dad pulls me into a small alcove. The red and gold carpet and the gold mirrors feels like I’m transported back in time. But I want to go back to two weeks ago.
“Dane, I said don’t defy me, and you obviously aren’t listening. Let Lettie live her life, or I’ll take it from her.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” I puff out my chest. We’re near the same height, but I have muscle on him.
“It means, Lettie is a distraction you don’t need right now. All of your focus should be on the NBA. If you start something up again, I’ll pull her sponsorships.”
I scoff, “You’re unbelievable thinking you have that kind of power. She earned every one of her sponsors.”
He laughs in my face. “Son, you’re so naïve. I pulled strings to get her sponsorships with bigger companies. All I have to do is make a call, and they’ll drop her.”
How could he be so heartless? I clench my fists at my sides as the anger festers inside me.
“Why would they do that when she has qualified for the Olympic Trials? You don’t care about anyone but yourself, do you?” I ask, spitting out the words, unable to contain the hurt and frustration that my father would sink so low.
“I’m fucking Gregg Greathouse. Soon, I will be responsible for regulations that affect the prices of everything they need to turn a profit, from feed to leather, to imported goods to the venues where they hold their competitions.” His brows draw to the center with a stone-cold calculating smile creeping onto his face. “In this world, you do what has to be done.”
Hostility rises between us, but I can’t let him have his way. Not when it comes to the girl I’ve loved my whole life. I step into his personal space, my voice shaking with emotion. “You think you can just manipulate and control people to get what you want? It makes perfect sense you being a politician, hungry for power. Well, not this time. I won’t let you ruin her dreams.”
Wait. Did my dad talk to Lettie? Is that why she broke up with me?
Before I can ask, he says, “You’re right. You won’t let me because you’ll let Lettie go, for now. You won’t jeopardize her reaching the goals she’s worked so hard for. You’re my priority, and I’ll do whatever it takes to keep you on the path to greatness. This will result in both of you achieving your dreams.”
“You did this! I can’t stand the sight of you.”
Storming out of the Opera House, I run blindly through the streets, ending up at a country bar. I order a beer and pull up my phone to see that Lettie has messaged me back twice from when I texted, I miss my girlfriend.
9:07am Lettie: Didn’t know you had one?
