Page 196 of Challenge Me

“Okay,” Trav said on a sigh. He was sitting on what looked like a cliff edge with trees behind him. Since he was shirtless, I had to wonder what sort of video Amir had decided to show me. “This isn’t my usual content, but today calls for something different. I’m here with my friend—” He rolled his lips inward, and something flickered in his eyes. “My best friend, if you will, and he’s got something he wants to say to everyone. I’m freaking honored that he wants to do it here. I understand why, too.”

Amir came up behind him, then sat. With his hair loose, dripping water down his bare chest, I figured they must have been swimming. There were shouts and laughter in the distance, like it was some frat party.

Trav moved the camera further away so they were both fully in the shot. Together, they were ridiculously hot, and even though I wasn’t really allowed to feel it, I was glad that they weren’t into each other.

“You’ve all seen what this life can do to a guy,” Trav went on. “You remember when I disappeared for a little while. The pressure . . . It’s crippling sometimes. If you’ve followed what’s happened with Amir lately, you know that he’s been going through it too. Whatever you think about his situation, I’d like to make it clear that this isn’t a place for judgment. He’s my brother in arms. Or bats or something. I don’t know.”

Amir snorted a laugh. There was a lightness to him that I missed seeing, and I leaned closer.

“You’re making this serious,” he scolded.

Trav smiled in a way that was softer than usual. “It is serious. But it’s yours, so say it how you want.”

Amir exhaled. “Alright, uh . . . Like Trav said, this season has been hell for me. I’ve been dragged through the press, scandalized in the most ridiculous ways, and my family has gotten caught up in it. The man that I love got the worst of it.”

It felt like he was looking right at me, and I wanted to turn away, but Amir came up beside me. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw him bring a new glass to his lips silently.

“Yes, I love him, despite what he tried to convince you of. The fact of the matter is, he lied.”

“I blame some of y’all,” Trav added. “We’re not your playthings. We’re people, and I hope you’ll remember that going forward.”

“I don’t want to go on about it all. If you want the rundown, I think some people have dedicated whole threads to it. For all of those reasons and more, I’m done.”

Both of them settled into a more casual position, like two men having a heart-to-heart.

“Explain what you mean by done,” Trav suggested.

“I’m stepping away from baseball after this season. I’m out for good.”

My heart slammed against my chest. He put his hand on my back, then around my side. Shoving away from him, I grabbed the phone and turned to lean back against the table.

“Before anyone jumps to conclusions,” Trav said, “I want it on record that he isn’t running away. Nobody chased him out, and he isn’t a coward. He’s choosing something, and that’s a damn brave thing. I’m proud of him for it.”

Amir’s lips lifted. “Thanks, Trav.”

“Now, I am mad. A little. Like, ten percent.” He bumped his shoulder against Amir’s. “I’m losing my favorite opponent. Who am I supposed to trash-talk now? Myself?”

“You talk to yourself all the time. Roman told me.”

Trav chuckled. “Yeah, we’re all a bit crazy around here. What are you going to do without baseball?”

“I’ll just have to come over and play you off the field.”

“Any time. But seriously.”

Amir glanced at the camera, looking oddly content. “If I’m lucky, I’m going to live happily ever after.”

“Yeah? How do you plan to do that?”

“By leaving the stadium behind and going after the man I intend to marry.”

I slammed the phone down on the table. I didn’t know where Amir had gone, but I was glad that he wasn’t crowding me anymore. Maybe. Frankly, I had no clue how to feel. I wasn’t sure that any air was getting to my lungs.

I turned to the left, then came to an abrupt stop.

This was how I knew the gods had abandoned me, and they’d taken my sanity with them.

Chapter 55