MasukThe line rings twice before Stuart Lockwood answers. “Greg?” I immediately hear the concern in his voice. “Everything okay? Is Jen alright?” I smile softly despite my nerves. “She’s fine,” I say quickly. “She’s perfect, actually.” Stuart exhales audibly. “Good. You scared me for a second there.”
Monday morning arrives far too quickly for my liking. After the chaos and adrenaline of the weekend in Foxborough at the Gillette Stadium, waking up in bed next to Jen with the biggest smile on my face feels almost unreal. My body is still buzzing with leftover excitement from my victory, and every
For a moment, I feel that crushing guilt all over again. I don’t deserve her. I know that. But God, I love her. The song ends to roaring applause, but I barely hear it. Anxiety suddenly claws back into my chest, heavy and sharp. I turn away quickly and head back toward the pit. Focus. I need to focu
The stadium lights burn bright against the darkening evening sky, throwing silver across the packed dirt track and turning the haze of kicked-up dust into glowing clouds. The air smells of gasoline, hot rubber, sweat, and rain-soaked earth. To me, it smells like home. My chest tightens as I stand
My dad hugs me next just as tightly. “You’ve worked harder than anyone I know.” I laugh shakily against his shoulder. “I think I’m running purely on caffeine at this point.” “That sounds about right,” Chase calls from nearby. I immediately laugh as my brother pulls me into another hug. “You surviv
By Friday afternoon, I am fairly certain I have survived what could only be described as hell week. The past several days have blurred together into one endless cycle of stress and exhaustion. Exam after exam. Meeting after meeting. File after file. Paper after paper. Every morning starts before sun
JenWiping the tears from my face as I run out of the hospital, I don’t know what to do now or where to go. I feel a little relieved to finally get all my feelings out to Greg before I allowed myself to walk away. Well, run away should I say. I find myself back at the park I was at yesterday but thi
“Greg’s right,” Stuart says. “He’s a smart young man he can think of something that will be best for him and for everyone involved.” This is why I have huge respect for the father of the woman I love. The woman I love? I think I have an idea, but I don’t know how it will pan out or if she would eve
GregAs I lay in this stupid hospital bed contemplating everything the doctor comes in to see me and discuss my discharge from the hospital hopefully in the next few days. I’m hoping I get to go home. It’s all depending on scan results and rehabilitation with my breaks. Just before the doctor starts
I take hold of her hand with my good one and give it a comforting squeeze. “I’m grateful that you came Jen, and I wouldn’t have blamed you if you didn’t come. I had just read our text history just before you came in.” “You did?” She seems surprised with my action. Nodding, “Yeah, I did, and Jen I







