Page 17 of Heart of a Fighter

“Difficult,” I admit. Worry stretches across my tense shoulders. “I didn’t think things would be this hard. I’m at war with myself, feeling like I have to choose between happiness and my career. And now, this fight between Zach and Granger has me second-guessing everything. They’re friends. If I hadn’t taken this internship, they wouldn’t be at each other’s throats.”

Madison knocks excess sauce from the wooden spoon before moving the pot off the burner. She leans against the counter, her attention fully on me.

“Any rift between Zach and Granger is on them. They have to work that out, not you.” She places a reassuring hand on my arm. “Do you love him?”

Granger’s one red flag warning after another, but I can’t stop thinking about him and how I feel when I’m near him.

“I think so.” I nod, my heart pounding in my chest.

“Then listen to your heart. If it’s really love, it’s worth fighting for. Love is about standing up for what and who you believe in, even when it’s hard.” She smiles, giving my arm a gentle squeeze. “You’re stronger than you think. Whatever happens, I’m here for you.”

I think about the private conversations Granger and I have had. He told me about the times no one stood up for him while he stood up for others. He never thought twice about the consequences. He led with his heart, doing the right thing when no one else would. My heart aches and longs for him.

Even though our budding relationship has come at an inopportune time, it doesn’t change the fact that he makes me happy. I can’t just turn my back and ignore my feelings, no matter how difficult the path ahead might be. My internship only lasts a few more weeks, and Zach can’t hold a grudge forever.

“I needed that.” Madison’s belief in me and her unwavering support means the world to me. “Thanks.”

“Anytime.”

“Dinner almost ready?” Mom pokes her head into the kitchen, her presence a gentle reminder of the love and support surrounding me. “Table’s set.”

By the time Zach arrives and Mom’s fussed over him to death, we gather around the table. The conversation strains to an awkward silence as I pick at my food, avoiding eye contact with my brother.

“It’s been a while since we’ve had one of Zach’s friends over for dinner,” Mom says out of the blue. “Remember how lively our conversations were the last time Granger and Graves joined us for dinner?”

My eyes dart to Zach. His face hardens, and he shoots me a stern look. “Granger won’t be back,” he says sharply.

My heart sinks at his harsh, disapproving tone. Mom’s eyes flick between us, her expression thoughtful. She puts down her fork and rests her elbows on the table, peering at us over folded hands. Her eyes twinkle, and I realize she must have overheard my conversation with Madison earlier.

Mom’s stirring the pot but in her subtle, teachable way.

“When I was battling cancer, there were so many days I wanted to give up,” she begins, her tone casual but meaningful. “The doctors didn’t always have good news, and the odds were against me.”

Zach looks up from his plate, his growly expression softening. Those were dark times in our lives. We were all leaning on each other, trying to make sense of a horrible situation.

“Everyone had an opinion on what I should do,” she says, her voice calm and reflective. “Some said I should seek out alternative medicine. Others suggested I take advantage of the days I had left and check off everything on my bucket list. There were hard choices to make, but the constant is I wanted to be there for the two of you.”

Zach glances at me, the tension in his jaw easing a bit. We both know the sacrifices the other made to stay strong and keep moving forward. That’s a bond that can never be broken.

“What’s your point, Mom?” he asks, cutting to the chase.

“My point is that often, people don’t see the whole picture. They don’t see inside our hearts to know what’s important to us,” she says gently. “They only see the risk, not the potential for something beautiful to come out on the other side of adversity. I made decisions based on what I knew in my heart was right for me and our family, not what everyone else thought was best.”

Zach nods slowly, absorbing her words. I, too, take them to heart. Neither of us can put ourselves in the other’s shoes.

Mom unfolds her hands and reaches for Zach’s hand and mine. She smiles gently, the twinkle still shining in her eyes. “Trusting your heart, even when it’s difficult, is the greatest gift you can give to yourself and others. No one else knows what’s best for you except you.”

Zach nods in agreement, though skepticism stays etched across his forehead. He’s protective through and through, but we’ll be okay. It might take him a while to come around to accepting Granger back again, but he’ll get there. He just needs time.

CHAPTER 9

REVENGE

***

Granger

Since my father’s ultimatum, I’ve kept my head in the game, practiced hard, and avoided the medical office. As promised, he’s allowed Lauren to stay on with the team, though there’s been a noticeable change in her placement. She no longer spends most of her time in the office during practice. She assists alongside the doctor, hopefully gleaning more medical knowledge than she was inventorying supplies.

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