Page 74 of Just a Football Star

“What are you up to these days?” Sonia asks. “How’s your knee?”

I haven’t seen Sonia since the injury, but I figured she’d probably heard about it.

“I’m healing. It’s been almost a year. Not easy, but I’m doing really well now. I’m working for my brother’s company.” It’s still my brother’s company. I’ve never quite felt that sense of ownership that Oliver has.

“He’s been working on their recreation and rehabilitation programs at their Longdale, Colorado location. He’s been doing a great job,” Oakley says, smiling up at me.

“Still trying to figure out what life looks like after football,” I add.

“I’m sure that’s been difficult,” Sonia says.

We make small talk, and before long, the family and friends slowly filter out of the cemetery. Eventually, it’s only Oakley and me at Callie’s grave. We’re quiet for a long time.

“I’ll go back to my car…let you have a moment.” Oakley rises up on her tip toes and kisses my cheek.

When she’s gone, I just stare at the headstone. So many thoughts are swirling in my head, I don’t know which way’s up or down. I miss Callie. Part of me always will.

But what I feel for Oakley is something deeper than I could have ever imagined. Oakley’s my best friend. She pushes me to be better than I was before.

In sickness and in health.

I’m not sure why the words in a wedding ceremony pop into my head. She’s been by my side in my sickness, while I’ve figured things out. I want to be by her side now. In her health. In her sickness. In anything and everything that comes our way.

My fingertips brush the top of Callie’s headstone as I mouth a “thank you” and walk away. My heart strums in my ears as I walk to Oakley’s car, unease and anticipation mounting inside of me.

There’s a lot to say. There’s a lot to do.

Chapter 35

Oakley

Alec and I fly back to Colorado after Callie’s graveside party.

That seems like an oxymoron: a graveside party. It’s like “work party” only a lot worse. Except the feeling there wasn’t really low. I mean, I know her loved ones were very sad. Alec was very sad. But there was also a hint of hope in the air, and a lot of smiles, too.

And Alec was kind and gentle with me—totally present. I’d come to support him, but it felt like it was a little bit the other way around.

On the flight, he holds my hand and there’s a sense of urgency in our interaction, like we don’t want to blink for fear of missing anything. Thankfully, the flight isn’t super full, and we have the row of seats to ourselves, which means we can discuss many things in relative privacy.

“What were you up to while I was in Miami?” he asks shortly after take-off.

“Whatwasn’tI up to?” I laugh. “You know my plans to go back to San Antonio? Well, it didn’t happen like I’d thought. I ended up staying in the Motel 6 in Tollark for two days. With Jerry.” I say, laughing.

“What? Why didn’t you just go back to the cabin? You’re always welcome there.”

“I know. And I could have. Except, I needed a palate cleanser of sorts. To clear my head. And then I decided I didn’t want to go back to San Antonio. I got a lot done while I was in Tollark. I was so productive. I applied for an online physical therapy program.”

“How does that kind of program work?”

“The clinicals will be at the hospitals and doctors’ offices in the county, but the coursework is all online. And…” I pause for dramatic effect. “I actually called in a police report against Brandt Bordy there in my motel room.”

His intake of breath was abrupt. “That’s a big deal. Way to go, Oakley.”

“They can’t push me around. I finally realized that if I’m walking in fear, they’ll still have a hold on me.”

His face is mottled pink, holding back choice words demanding to be unleashed. “I’d still be happy to introduce both Brandt and Jeff to my fists. Just say the word.”

“I wouldn’t mind doing that myself.” I give a puff of a laugh. “But I don’t think it will be necessary.” I rotate in my seat so that I can see him more fully, taking in his broad shoulders and smooth lips. “I also got a phone call while I was there.”

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