AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“He has a lot of pressure on him, and he’s cracking. His dad’s campaign. Basketball. Contract obligations. He’s never had adversity in his life so when you ripped his heart out, he didn’t know how to handle it.”
I’m barely able to function, and I’ve had more than my share of adversity in my life. So, Dane doesn’t have any tools to handle it. Dane shoots two hundred free throws, and I rebound for him. He’s never even had to run after his own balls. He’s not spoiled as in being a brat, but he has enjoyed the fruits of his parents’ life.
Tears stream down my face. “I’m trying to hold myself together. I am, but I love him. He’s ruined me for any other man. And it makes me sick to my stomach even thinking about a man touching me. I cringe when Jasper helps me or corrects my posture.”
I pull my knees up to my chest and tuck my head between my legs. Adalee rubs my back as I cry. My watch notifies me with a reminder. I have an appointment for a follow up appointment with a campus doctor after being sick.
“I gotta go. I have an appointment.”
“Do you want me to drive you?”
“Nah, I’m good. I’ll call you later. Thanks for listening.”
She walks me to my car and when I shut the door, Hagan, and Dane step onto the porch. I stare through the window, and Dane looks like hell. Still gorgeous with what looks like last night’s attire stretching across his chest, but he’s disheveled. He starts walking to my car with huge strides and then stops. Just stops like there’s a steel wall between us. His face softens like he’s resigned to the fact this is the way it has to be.
Pushing the gear into reverse, the tires crunch against some loose gravel on the street. My heart doesn’t seem to keep up with the pace it’s beating. When I get to the doctor’s office, they take me to the exam room right away. My pulse is crazy high, and my blood pressure is elevated.
The nurse leaves, and the doctor sits in front of me. He asks if anything has changed in my life. At first, I say no, but then I explain that I’ve had a recent breakup. He nods, knowingly, even though it’s been fifty years since this doc dated.
“Elizabeth, we’re going to do some tests to rule out some things. The fact that you’re still exhausted could mean you have mono or some other things we need to rule out. The nurse will be back in to draw some blood. Sit tight, and I’ll be back after we run the tests we can in the office, and the others will be sent to a lab.” He pats my leg like Paps would.
Forty-five minutes later, the doctor delivers news I never expected.
Chapter Forty-Two
DANE
Ihaven’t spoken to my dad since the night at the Opera House. He hasn’t attended my games. But who could blame him? Coach is bringing me off the bench, I’ve played so bad.[ES1] My team has lost confidence in me, and the NBA scouts have declined invitations to come see me. They know what I can do. I’ve been projected to go high in the NBA draft since freshman year, but I stayed every year so I could be with Lettie as long as possible.
But my mom is here and today, Grans and Paps made the trip. They usually come later in the year when we play Tennessee or Florida, but they asked if they could come today since they had some appointments in town.
As I’m taking off my warmup pants, I see Lettie arriving with her grandparents. Embarrassment consumes me. Lettie has never seen me sit on the bench. This isn’t the Dane Greathouse they know—the get drunk every night, have a hangover every morning, and can’t put the ball in the net to save my soul, Dane.
Our eyes collide, and it shakes my soul. All of the feelings of love and hurt flood every facet of my body and I remind myself that she broke up with me, but it has to stay that way because if nothing else, Lettie is getting her chance at the Olympics.
Coach puts me in, and Grans yells, “Let’s go, baby!” And I think it’s the only time I’ve smiled in weeks. With renewed energy and purpose, I take the ball out of bounds. Find Devon under the basket, and he goes up for the slam. The Stallion fans finally have something to cheer about.
A few minutes in, I hit a three, then another, proving that Lettie is the key to my happiness and success. She’s been with me since first grade.
The game ends with me having ten points, five rebounds, and three assists. My best game since Lettie broke up with me.
I run over to mom, Grans, Paps, and Lettie before I head to the locker room. Grans hugs me like she hasn’t seen me in years when it was just a couple of months ago. Mom gives me a bear hug and whispers in my ear, “Just keep giving her time. She came.”
I give her a close-lipped smile as I pull away to look at Lettie. “Hey, thanks for coming. I know Grans and Paps appreciate you bringing them.”
“Yes, we do. We look forward to coming all year,” Paps says, as he holds onto my elbow.
Lettie just nods, and my mom rubs her back. “We’re family. Anytime you all can make it, we’ll find tickets. Lettie loves you being here.”
Mom asks Grans, “Lettie said you mentioned the Mediterranean restaurant. Do you want to go?”
“Might as well. You never know how much time you have to mark things off your list.”
Lettie’s eyes narrow. Mom guides Lettie’s grandparents down the aisle, so I touch Lettie’s arm, and she flinches.
I must look shocked and hurt because she says, “Sorry. I fell off Diamond Mine the other day, and my arm is bruised.” She pushes up the sleeve of her sweater and shows me the bluish bruise. “It only hurts if something touches it.”
I chuckle, and it feels so good. “So, it hurts most of the time?”
