Page 57 of Running
Whether my brother likes it or not.
CHAPTER 18
Johnson
The Uber drops me off back at my house at almost two in the morning, and I’m spent. It’s been a long day—starting with practice, then the auction, then everything with Grace. Out of necessity, I crash pretty fast.
I wake up the next morning to two thoughts.
The first—I’m going to check in with Grace so she knows I meant everything I said last night.
JOHNSON: Good morning. Off to practice, but I’ll message you later. Hope it’s a good day after everything you did to make last night awesome.
When I’m in the shower, I get a heart emoji on my message and a reply back.
GRACE: Thank you Have a great practice!
My second thought is more complicated, and technically, a question. How the hell do I make this work? Here I am, trying to be the model citizen on all fronts and not let down any of thepeople who have put their faith in me, including Landon and the team.
How can I pursue this thing with Grace, under these circumstances?
I’m tightly wound as no answer comes…other than a quiet suggestion thatmaybe this time, maybe for Grace, I can be less than perfect for everyone else.
My mind churns as I drive to the facility this morning, but then as I park my car, I choose to park something else—a decision on how this is all going to work.
It’s football time, and I need to concentrate. I’ll get through our first regular season game and then be able to open up space in my mind for Grace and me to figure this out.
Thankfully, our first game this weekend is at home, which helps ease the transition into the regular season. No travel, no break in routine. One less thing for me to handle right now.
At practice, everyone is focused, despite the fun we had at the gala the night before. In forty-eight hours, we’ll be suiting up to go on the field, a lot of expectations falling on us. I’m dragging slightly from the lack of sleep, but I chug water all day to bounce back. Between the hydration and adrenaline, I execute reasonably well.
Landon’s there, like last night never happened too. Only with him, that means he has bags under his eyes, is grumbly, and definitely is not looking like a man who just reunited with his girl.Huh.
I don’t get a chance to talk to him, though, as everyone’s segregated onto their sides of the team for the day.
While practice goes according to plan, once home, the cavern-like quiet of my house sits wrong with me and I’m anxious for activity. As soon as I grab a snack, I text Grace from a stool on my kitchen island, like I promised.
JOHNSON: Hey, congrats again on the auction. How did the day after go?
GRACE: Hi. I’m exhausted, but everyone seems happy! Susie and Mrs. Blunt sent me flowers.
Dang, maybe I should have thought of that.
GRACE: I’m typing up my final report for my non-profits class now, and then I’ll finally be done.
JOHNSON: Nice.
GRACE: How was practice?
JOHNSON: Pretty typical. The adrenaline is flying high, though. All the guys are ready to get the season started officially.
GRACE: I can imagine. I’ll be there Sunday!
I’m not surprised to hear that. Landon has complimentary tickets from the team, and Grace would be the first person on his list in Orlando to get one.
JOHNSON: Great, you can be our lucky charm
GRACE: Are you at your house right now?
