Page 189 of Challenge Me

“That seems unfair. It wasn’t your fault.”

“Does that matter? These are human beings, and every day, some of them leave this world because they think nobody sees them. In my eyes, I have a responsibility to be that one who finally does.”

“My thing doesn’t seem like such a big deal when you say that.”

“Everything is a big deal to someone,” he countered. “This is the mission I took on in life. You may have a different one, but it’s no less important. Are they threatening to drop you after the season?”

I couldn’t help but laugh. “Actually, they’re fighting to keep me.”

“Good. They’re smarter than I gave them credit for.”

“One less thing I have to worry about. Although, sometimes the price tag makes you wonder what you’re selling.”

“You just have to decide what your honor is worth.”

“That sounds like something Remi would say.”

“He’s good with his words. I almost believed him in that video, but I recognize excuses when I hear them.”

“Yeah,” I sighed. “He backed me into a corner.”

“What are your options?”

“Sue him, tell the world he’s crazy, or convince him there’s a fairytale ending in here somewhere.” I threw the ball extra hard, and he lifted a brow when he caught it.

“Okay, so option one is management’s choice, option two is Remi’s, and option three is yours.”

“Sort of. They want the love story because of optics.”

“Ah, I’m sure Remi would love that.”

“And therein lies the paradox of this entire thing.”

“I know your situation is different, but my greatest regret is not going after Roman. I would’ve rather fought with him through all of that anger and fear than suffer alone.”

“I’ve been trying. Remi isn’t lost, though. He doesn’t need me to guide him through the hard things. He knows how to navigate those more than anyone, and when he doesn’t, he has a guy a lot cooler than me to walk with him.”

“Then maybe he needs someone to sit with him in hell.”

“Until when? No matter how epic you make it sound, this isn’t that simple. Eventually, we have to get back up and face the real world.”

“I know. It just helps you figure out how you feel.”

“I know how I feel. I love him, and I want to fight for him, but I don’t have a fucking sword.”

“Then make one. Better yet, use your damn fists and get your hands dirty for once.”

With a groan, I stared down at the ball. “Is love supposed to be this hard? It feels toxic at this point.”

Trav surprised me by laughing. “Just because it’s a little toxic doesn’t mean it’s bad.”

“Toxic is bad, right?”

“As a concept, I guess, but real life is messy. A battle isn’t a straight line, Amir. Sometimes, you have to find the true enemy hidden behind a thousand guards.”

“The true enemy,” I repeated quietly.

The back door opened, and I expected to see Roman. Instead, there was a procession of men. Big, incredibly handsome men.