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I was stunned. Not because he got a scholarship—he was an amazing athlete—but because he never talked about college. Ever.
"Dude, say something." He nudged me.
"I'm trying. I'm just…I don't know what to say. That's great, Grady." I was happy for him, but sad at the same time. "When do you start?"
"Two weeks."
"Oh, wow. Okay. That's, like, soon."
"Yeah." He hung his head and shuffled his foot around nervously on the floor.
"I think it's really great, Grady. This is your second chance at everything. I never understood why you didn't go when the recruiters wanted you, so this is perfect." He gave me a questioning look. "Really, I mean it."
"Thanks, Bay. I was nervous to tell you. I didn't want you to think I was abandoning you again."
"I know you wouldn't do that. You need this. You deserve this." I leaned over, resting my head on his shoulder.
"I love you, Bay. Thank you for coming back."
"I love you, too."
"Trying to steal my girl again?" Brandt peeked in the room.
Grady jumped off the bed with his hands up and said, "I'm innocent, I swear." They both shared a brotherly joke. "I told her about Berkeley."
Brandt smiled proudly. "It'll be fun to see you play on my field."
"Your field, huh? We'll see about that once I've wiped the grass with you."
"Nothing has changed." I laughed as I jumped in between their banter. "Let's go get dinner."
"Where do you want to go?" Brandt asked.
"Why, our restaurant, of course." I scoffed playfully.
"Ki's it is."
Brandt took my hand in his, and I felt it. I felt the fire again. Something I never imagined I would feel again. The cloud of numbness was finally fading.
"You good?" Brandt was watching me.
"I'm good," I said. I was going to make it this time.
My mind had hidden away the memories, protecting the forgotten treasures. Pain and heartbreak were hard, but to think of a life without my parents and sister would have been gut-wrenching.
