“Cal, you’re a famous athlete. You’re at the top of your game. You’re about to be named to the National Team. I’m a waitress.”
“You want more.”
“Yeah, but the odds of that happening are not in my favor. We’re just not in the same circles. And even if we were, why? Why do you care if we talk again? I wasn’t interesting enough for you to keep in touch the first time around,” I say quietly.
He looks at his hands, gripping the steering wheel, even though he’s made no move to take the car out of park. “I thought we were friends once,” he says finally.
I stare straight ahead, trying to think of a response.
He puts the Rover in drive and heads back toward 93. We sit in silence for a bit before I offer, “We were friends. Or at least as good of friends as you can be. You’re rather single-focused, and I’m guessing that focus is never on anything but soccer.”
I’m not trying to insult him. It’s simply the truth.
Callaghan nods. “Can I tell you a secret?”
It’s my turn to nod.
He continues. “I’m not the best out there.”
“Um, your stats would say otherwise.” His statistics are seriously impressive.
“I’m not inherently the best. I’m only that good because I work so hard at it. I put everything I have into this game. If I didn’t, I probably wouldn’t still be playing.”
“I doubt that. I don’t think you give yourself enough credit.”
He shakes his head. “You don’t understand. I have to do more. More training. More supplements. More analysis. More than everyone, just to keep up. I don’t have time for anything else. Trust me, I’ve tried, and it nearly cost me my career. But I wouldn’t expect you to understand.”
I was all on board to be sympathetic to the woes of his personal life—until that last part. Immediately I’m bitter. My emotions take over.
“Yeah, well, I’m the last person you should complain to about stupid shit costing your career. After all, you cost me mine.”
Oh shit. I did not just say that.
Chapter 15: Callaghan
Iwhip my head so fastto look at Hannah that I almost swerve into the pickup next to me.
