Wyatt:Sorry for the bombardment. I just want to make sure you’re really okay before I try to fall asleep.
A reply comes only a few seconds later.
Mae:Why on earth are you not asleep yet?! I’m okay, Wyatt. Not particularly in the mood to talk but I promise you that I’ll survive.
Mae:By the way, thank you so much for tagging me in that post of Carly. It made me cry.
Mae:But in a GOOD way. Sorry I sent that last message too soon by accident. Truly it gave me some joy.
Wyatt:I’m glad we could do something for you. I can take it down if you decide it was too personal to share.
Wyatt:I just really need to know you’re okay.
Mae:I’m okay. This is going to take some time to work through but I’ll wake up tomorrow and face the day head on. You’ll have the best game of your life and it will all be alright.
Sensing that she’s just saying these things to ease my nerves and get me to leave her alone, I smile smugly.
Wyatt:Can I see you soon?
Three dots appear, disappear, and then reappear. This only adds to my suspense.
Mae:Win tomorrow and then we’ll talk.
Wyatt:Anything for you.
Mae knows how I operate because she works the same way; our careers are super important to us. I’d never ask her to take a step back for me, no matter how much I was hurting. I don’t think she’d do that either. Perhaps our relationship will neverknow peace with how crazy our lives are, but at the same time, the only true peace I’ve ever known is when I’m holding her in my arms.
When she doesn’t respond, I begrudgingly close our conversation and switch back to my conversation with Coach.
Wyatt:I’ll be there tomorrow, ready to go.
Finally content and ready to give sleep another shot, Mae’s name pops up at the top of my screen one more time. I tap the notification and find that it’s another text.
Mae:Goodnight Wyatt. Good luck tomorrow.
I sigh in relief as I let the phone slip back to its spot on the side table. As I begin to nod off, thoughts of Mae sitting at the piano give way for visions of me securing passes and routes into the end zone.
Game mode.
Chapter 26
Mae
MY DAY THANKFULLY starts with a real flicker of light. The sun streaming in from my window wakes me before it’s quickly hidden by the dark clouds of the oncoming winter. Others might find it a bummer but, for me, it’s all I need to find the courage for the day.
Stumbling to the kitchen, I make myself some coffee before turning to my phone. Last night, my world imploded around me. This morning, the fallout begins. Hopefully, by the end of the day, the cleanup can start.
Sighing, I scroll through the endless stream of notifications on my home screen. Texts from Hannah, Linda, Raleigh, and Dalton fight for my attention.
Hannah:We’re up early out here (don’t worry, Wyatt’s still asleep). Big day today; we wish you were here to enjoy it with us.
Hannah:If you need anything, let me know.
Linda:Chris is threatening to drive up to Nashville with his shotgun to ‘take care of business.’ I’ve restrained him, but you just say the word and I let him loose. I’ll be with him, ready to hide the body.
Raleigh:So far, so good. I put out your official word this morning. As of now, you have no statement on the incident until we speak with lawyers and producers for the investigation. The media, for the most part, is taking your side over his. Let’s take today one minute at a time.
Dalton:Assigning a few extras to your penthouse today. Don’t want to scare you but my man on duty last night reported extra activity. Let me know if you see anything.
