Page 148 of Running
“Guys, can we take this down a notch?” Carter asks, keeping his tone low, trying to defuse the combative energy.
“Actually, I’m going to go home.” My head is starting to ache, but I try to make sure my voice sounds firm in its resolve. “Landon, I’d like to continue this conversation soon, ideally before we’re back on the field together.”
I turn my head back to the other men in the room. Yep, all four guys are giving me death stares. Nice.
“Bye everyone, great job so far this season. See you next week.” I keep my tone even and wave at them.
We walk out in silence, neither Carter nor I saying a word.
But when we get into the hallway, he rests his hand on my arm.
“That was rough. You okay?”
“I’m fine, it had to be done.”
He dips his head in agreement. “I think you may have finally gotten through to him at the end there. He’s never speechless.”
“I really hope so. For everyone’s sake.”
Grace comes home a couple of hours after me, and we basically pounce on each other. Not in the fun way.
“I need to talk to you,” she says in a rush.
“Me too.”
She bites her lip. “Okay, you first.”
I explain to her everything that happened, and she looks alarmed at first, but then her expression turns thoughtful.
“Carter is probably onto something. Maybe Landon really heard you this time.”
“We’ll see, I guess. Tell me what you wanted to talk about?”
She then explains what Shelley said in her office, and all her emotions leading her to call her mom.
There’s one dominant feeling rippling through me when she finishes.
“Goldie, I’m so proud of you right now.”
Her eyes look a little wet, and her mouth wobbles. “Me too.”
And as fast as the words are out of her mouth, I pull her into my arms. “It’s okay to cry, if you need to.”
“It’s not that I’m upset, it’s just a lot at once,” she says from within my embrace.
I rock her gently, our embrace warm. I feel her body start to relax after a few minutes.
“Thanks for that, honey,” she says as she pulls away to look at me.
“I’ve got more when and if you need it.”
“I have to tell Shelley something too. It’s so surreal that going pro could be an option again.”
I give her a squeeze. “It is a major new opportunity. I’m sure there’s many dynamics I don’t even understand.”
“Tons of variables, yes. Money for all the expenses, who I’d train with, am I really good enough, are the big ones to begin with.”
“You left out one thing—what doyouwant?”
