AllFreeNovel
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When the game wraps, we’re up eight, but Kyle stares me down as he takes a final shot just to pad his stats line.
The problem is hard to resolve, but easier to diagnose.
“He’s a prick,” I grunt at Jay when no one can overhear.
Jay laughs. “He’s you.”
* * *
“What do you think?” Nova asks as she cranes her head to look around the one-room studio.
“Ceiling’s too low,” I gripe.
Nova cuts me a look. “It’s small for you.”
I glance up at the eight-foot ceiling, pressing my hand flush against the plaster.
“But it’s not for me,” I finish.
I told Nova I’d help her look at studio spaces to rent.
It wasn’t enough to drive her. I wanted to make this an experience.
So, this morning, I picked her up, bearing coffee and a list of potential places lined up to see.
“I have a good feeling about this one,” she says as she peers out the second-floor windows and down onto the street below.
“You want to grab lunch and think it over?” I offer.
“Good idea.”
She starts for the door, but I block her path. “Don’t move.”
I head to the car to retrieve the picnic basket in the back and return with it in hand.
“What is all that?” she marvels when I start to unpack the sandwiches and drinks and desserts.
“I figured we’d have a busy day. Fuel is important.”
We sit on a blanket I brought to cover the floor. We eat and talk, and it feels good to see her smile.
“Thank you,” she says as she reaches for one of the bakery cookies packed for dessert. “It was really thoughtful of you to take the whole morning off for me.”
“My pleasure. And I do have an appointment this afternoon before practice.” I hesitate. “It’s therapy.”
Her brows shoot up as she finishes her bite of cookie. “I don’t know what you’re going to talk about, and you don’t have to tell me, but I hope it helps.”
I try to put into words some of the dark thoughts that have circled my mind for months. “I’ve spent so long trying to be the best. I craved competition and was willing to throw everything away to win. But in doing that, I ignored the other parts of me, the parts that made me feel weak. I can’t ignore them anymore.”
She nods slowly. “I’ve been going over what happened in LA. I left you when you were at your lowest. I’m sorry.”
Surprise has me frowning. “You did the right thing. I never want to make you feel bad. Or feel bad about feeling good.”
She holds my gaze, and I’m encouraged by the trust on her face.
“Once you said you’d always bet on me. Well, I’ll always bet on you.” She finishes her cookie and shifts back on her palms.
“This is the one,” she decides, looking around from her seated position.
