Chapter 36: Hannah
Today has been a dreamcome true. This is what I’ve wanted my whole life. To be immersed in the world of sports. The only thing that could have made it better would be to have actually been at a game.
All because of Callaghan Entay.
I’m still trying to wrap my mind around that one.
I can’t figure it out. Why would he do this for me? He called in a lot of favors. I think about the business card in my pocket. The cameraman indicated that there might be an opening at New England Sports Network in the near future. NESN would be huge, as it’s owned by the Red Sox and the Celtics.
It’s a long shot, but both the field reporter and the cameraman said they’d keep in touch. We did have a lot of fun, and I can’t wait to work through and edit the footage. I’ll have content for weeks.
It seems, after a mere twelve-year delay, my life is finally coming together. Of course, I had to put myself out there. It didn’t come to me, and it didn’t happen without risks. I’d been so scared of the feelings of letdown and disappointment that I stopped trying.
This feeling is so much better.
And who knows? Maybe I’ll be back in Boston soon.
There’s just one thing.
I watch Callaghan walk out of the room, flanked by Justice and Heaven. He’s smiling and Justice claps him on the back. Without stopping to think about what I’m doing, or whether Ishouldbe doing it, I break into a full run after them.
I’m ready for one more risk.
The crowds are thick, and people keep stepping in front of me. I’m bobbing and weaving, cutting right and left. Good thing my body has some muscle memory from years spent on the pitch. As I try to dodge around a kid, I lose my footing, stumbling backward.
I hear the “Oh shit” before I feel something hard slam into my upper back. That’s immediately followed by a large crash and the shattering of glass. I continue to fall backward, slamming into someone. I’m wet and covered in splintered glass.
The hall has gone silent and it feels like every eye in the place is on me. As a server, this is one of my worst nightmares.
As a guest, it’s not much better.
I’m on the ground, lying on top of someone, and I can’t figure out how to move without sticking my hand in shards of broken glass. I don’t think I’m bleeding yet, and I don’t really want to be. “I’m sorry. I’m so sorry,” I repeat to the poor person underneath me who does not get paid enough to deal with this kind of thing.
I try to roll over when I feel hands underneath my arms, hauling me to my feet.
“I can only hope someone got that on camera, so I have something to embarrass you with for once.” Callaghan’s eyes are filled with concern. “Are you okay?”
I look over my shoulder at the poor server I crushed and try to help him. He shakes me off and walks away, muttering under his breath. I know exactly where he’s coming from. Now, there’s nothing left to do but turn back to Callaghan.
“I’m fine. Embarrassed. Wet. I may have glass in my ass. So, you know, just great.” I start to laugh because there don’t seem like any other good options at this point. “I was trying to catch up to you. My spin move apparently needs a little work.”
“You were coming after me?” His eyes brighten. “Why?”
“Because, no matter how much I might want to, I can’t stay away from you.”
“I don’t want you to stay away.”
“You’re not mad at me anymore?”
“The only person I’m mad at is myself. I’ve made so many mistakes along the way, and all of them cost me you. I thought being sidelined was the worst thing that could happen to me. It sucks, sure, but I’ve also learned that there’s something much worse out there, and that was losing you.”
It’s all I can do not to fan myself or swoon. Cally’s never been able to feed me a line to catch me, but this ... hook, line,andsinker.
“Hannah, I’ve never known how to have anything in my life other than soccer. I’m trying to learn how to have more than that because I’ve missed out on so much. I’ve missed out on years with you, and I don’t want to miss one more single second. I’m in love with you, Hannah. If you don’t feel the same way, just tell me now, and I’ll never bother you again. But I hope you realize that you belong with me.”
Okay, so maybe some tears start forming in my eyes. I inhale deeply before I start, willing myself to say what I have to without blubbering like an idiot.
