Callaghan smiles. “Geez, I thought a journalist knows better than to ask all their questions at once. Let me see if I can get them all.” He starts ticking off on his fingers. “Number one, this is a fantastic opportunity for you to cover this event and make great content that will benefit you directly. You’re in a room with sports greats, and you have unlimited access. They’re all on board.”
He turns to look at the panel, and if I’m not mistaken, Sam Travers gives him a thumbs-up. Callaghan holds up two more fingers. “Number two and three. I think those are best answered together. I enlisted people because I knew you’d never come for just me. And the reason they’re helping me is twofold. First, because I rarely ask anyone for help. Second, and most important, because you’ve shown up for the Buzzards and Ophelia and Xavier specifically and helped them out of the goodness of your heart. They want to return the favor.”
I am too stunned to speak.
Chapter 35: Callaghan
O
kay, she’s not arguing back and she’s not trying to run away anymore, so that’s a good sign. Or at least a small window to plead my case. I continue, “Even if this does nothing for your career, I figured you’d appreciate an opportunity like this, just as the fan you are.”
“But what are you doing?” she asks again.
I look at my feet for a beat before I answer. “I’m trying to make it up to you. I was wrong. So wrong for acting the way I did. For not listening. Hell, I even told you to be selfish and put your career first, and then I held it against you for doing just that.”
Watson Ross would be so proud of me.
“And I know you’re leaving, and I can’t stop you because you’re following your dream. I’ve caused you enough derailments and detours. I can’t do that anymore. But I can give you a send-off that you’ll never forget. Maybe it’ll help lead to bigger and better things down the line.”
I wish I didn’t have to have this big confession in a room full of people, but at least the signing hasn’t started yet. The majority of the crowds are still outside. I’ve probably got about two minutes. Max. Here goes.
“Hannah, I want you to be happy. I want you to be fulfilled. I want your biggest dreams to come true. So, even though you hate me, start right now. Get the interviews. Make the videos. Do what you were born to do. Don’t let some petty feelings about a guy who was too stupid and selfish for his own good get in the way.”
“If he tells her ‘you complete me,’ I’m going to puke.” Brandon has to get his two cents in.
I ignore the asshat and continue. “I don’t want to be transactional. Not with you. I want to give you everything, expecting nothing in return. I want you to have your chance to live out your dreams, checking your career goals off one by one. I want you to be happy and, most importantly, healthy.” I take her hands in mine. “And I want you to know if you ever need a kidney, you can have mine. Even if it’s July and I’m in Paris, you can have it. I gave blood and found out I’m type O negative, so I can donate to any blood type.”
“I don’t want your kidney.”
She hasn’t pulled her hands from mine. I’ll take that as a good sign.
“It’s yours if you need it. To be honest, I’m still selfish and hoping you don’t need it during the middle of the Global Games because, not to sound like a douche, I still want to take the National Team all the way. But if you really need it, I’ll fly back.”
Hannah’s mouth opens and then closes as she takes in her surroundings. “I wouldn’t let you do that for me,” she finally says.
“The offer’s there, any time you need it.”
