Chapter 42

Chapter Forty-Two

DANE

I haven't spoken to my dad since the night at the Opera House. He hasn't attended my games. But who could blame him? Coach is bringing me off the bench, I've played so bad.[ES1] My team has lost confidence in me, and the NBA scouts have declined invitations to come see me. They know what I can do. I've been projected to go high in the NBA draft since freshman year, but I stayed every year so I could be with Lettie as long as possible.

But my mom is here and today, Grans and Paps made the trip. They usually come later in the year when we play Tennessee or Florida, but they asked if they could come today since they had some appointments in town.

As I'm taking off my warmup pants, I see Lettie arriving with her grandparents. Embarrassment consumes me. Lettie has never seen me sit on the bench. This isn't the Dane Greathouse they know—the get drunk every night, have a hangover every morning, and can't put the bal l in the net to save my soul, Dane.

Our eyes collide, and it shakes my soul. All of the feelings of love and hurt flood every facet of my body and I remind myself that she broke up with me, but it has to stay that way because if nothing else, Lettie is getting her chance at the Olympics.

Coach puts me in, and Grans yells, "Let's go, baby!" And I think it's the only time I've smiled in weeks. With renewed energy and purpose, I take the ball out of bounds. Find Devon under the basket, and he goes up for the slam. The Stallion fans finally have something to cheer about.

A few minutes in, I hit a three, then another, proving that Lettie is the key to my happiness and success. She's been with me since first grade.

The game ends with me having ten points, five rebounds, and three assists. My best game since Lettie broke up with me.

I run over to mom, Grans, Paps, and Lettie before I head to the locker room. Grans hugs me like she hasn't seen me in years when it was just a couple of months ago. Mom gives me a bear hug and whispers in my ear, "Just keep giving her time. She came."

I give her a close-lipped smile as I pull away to look at Lettie. "Hey, thanks for coming. I know Grans and Paps appreciate you bringing them."

"Yes, we do. We look forward to coming all year," Paps says, as he holds onto my elbow.

Lettie just nods, and my mom rubs her back. "We're family. Anytime you all can make it, we'll find tickets. Lettie loves you being here."

Mom asks Grans, "Lettie said you mentioned the Mediterranean restaurant. Do you want to go?"

"Might as well. You never know how much time you have to mark things off your list."

Lettie's eyes narrow. Mom guides Lettie's grandparents down the aisle, so I touch Lettie's arm, and she flinches.

I must look shocked and hurt because she says, "Sorry. I fell off Diamond Mine the other day, and my arm is bruised." She pushes up the sleeve of her sweater and shows me the bluish bruise. "It only hurts if something touches it."

I chuckle, and it feels so good. "So, it hurts most of the time?"

"Pretty much." She rewards me with a lopsided grin that gives me hope that we can get our friendship back at some point. Once basketball and the Olympic trials are over, we can rekindle the relationship we were always meant to have.

"I'll see you at the wedding tomorrow. Be ready to bring down the house," I say with a wink and a smile, then head into the locker room, not wanting to ruin the moment.

Adalee glows, and Hagan's dimples look like parentheses framing his face. They're so in love. I wasn't around when they got together, but everyone always teases Adalee about being stubborn and not giving into the attraction for months. It gives me hope that everything will work out for Lettie and me.

They have a beautiful outside wedding on the grounds of Keeneland Racecourse. All of the leaves have changed colors into reds, yellows, and burnt oranges. The perfect romantic backdrop. Adalee carries a simple wildflower bouquet, and they profess their love. Harper is Hagan's best woman, and Logan is Adalee's Man of Honor as they say their vows. Joe and Ginger came from out of town to be a groomsman and bridesmaid.

"I promise to love and protect, put your needs before my own, and always be by your side through thick and thin. I'll kiss you every morning and every night. Feed your hunger and hold your hair when you're sick. I knew the day I was talking to Harper on the phone, when I picked you up for engineering class that I was going to marry you and here we are." Hagan sways back and forth. "And you're the most beautiful, stubborn woman I've ever known." Logan clears his throat and chuckles. "I'll love you forever and will do my best to make your dreams come true." Hagan speaks from the heart and is unrehearsed, at least that was his is plan.

A tear slips from the corner of Adalee's eye as they hold hands.

"Hagan, you saved me from myself. I mean, it was all your fault I tore my ACL." Those of us that are really good friends know what she means and then she gracefully swallows so full of emotion. "You welcomed me with open arms into your family at a time when I needed arms around me. I love your charm and confidence, but most of all, I love the way you love me. Never did I think I could fill someone's heart and t hat someone could fill mine. But now, I don't have room for all of the love I have for you. I promise you that one thing will never change… I'll always pick Harper to be on my team for game night."

The Chatham's are famous for their game nights and their children have carried on the tradition. Lettie and I have even gotten them doing karaoke.

Hagan doesn't wait, he snakes his arms around her waist and pulls her in for a kiss and then a peck and then another. "I love you Adalee."

In unison, the wedding guests let out a collective aww.

After their vows, we all go indoors for the reception and when I check for a table number, Lettie and I are seated at the same table beside each other. It looks like our friend group is all at the same table. Reed and Brooke, Flynn and Presley, Mac and his date. I just hope I can get through this night without falling apart.

I look around, and Lettie's walking in with Presley. She's wearing the same one she wore to my dad's fundraiser, and memories flood my mind. When she gets closer, I force myself to swallow the frog stuck in my throat. No one in the room compares to Lettie, to me. Adalee is a beautiful bride, but when I look at Lettie, every imperfection is perfect. Her hair is completely up off her neck in a twisted bun with braids and the comb I gave her.

I pull out her chair. "You're not supposed to upstage the bride," I breathe into her ear as I scoot her chair in, then take my seat.

"Stop." But it's not a warning; it's playful. How many times in our lives has she asked me to stop? Stop tickling her. Stop getting her sweetmeat. Stop cheating off her papers. Stop making her laugh. Stop eating her food.

This feels good—baby steps.

Our friends chat about the decorations, and I can tell everyone is holding their breaths, hoping Lettie and I can work our way back to each other. My stomach somersaults, and I wonder if Lettie's is too because she's not eating. And when I glance over while she's talking to Mac's date, I notice her collarbone is more pronounced. Is she losing weight?

Adalee and Hagan visit our table, informing us the first dance will be after dinner. The DJ has the instrumental version if we want to go back and listen to it, or we can sing a capella. When we finish eating, we head back behind the immaculate DJ stand.

We listen to the instrumental and both hum the words. Lettie says, "Which do you want?"

"I think we should use music. We haven't practiced in weeks. But I'll do whatever you want."

She wrings her hands and says, "I want to do without, like we practiced, a capella."

The DJ announces, "Ladies and gentlemen, it's time for our first dance. Please invite Lettie Scott and Dane Greathouse to the stage and Mr. and Mrs. Hagan Chatham to the dance floor."

The guests applaud as we step out into the spotlight, and I grab Lettie's hand with one hand and hold the microphone in the other.

It's been a month since Lettie and I broke up but having her standing by me on this stage, all the memories penetrate every corner of my mind. Singing a duet by Tim McGraw and Faith Hill, it takes me right back to when we were a couple.

Our voices blend together so effortlessly, and I feel the emotions between us. All the times we've sung together, just like this, but with our hearts intertwined. Our friends' wedding is the perfect opportunity for us to let our guard down and be vulnerable.

Hagan and Adalee dance, but all I see is Lettie, the woman I love but can't have. I reach for her hand, and it snaps to mine like a magnet. We pour our hearts out through the lyrics meant for the wedding couple, yet every word seems perfect for us and our love.

Our eyes are tethered together by an invisible force as we hold the last note. I see the same emotions reflected in her gaze. If this is an indication, our love has never faded. But for now, I'll just cherish this moment, singing with the woman who used to be mine.

When the song ends, Hagan helps Adalee up to the stage, and they embrace us.

"That was magical," Adalee says with pure happiness in her voice.

Hagan adds, "It was. Thank you both. It means the world to us that our friends sang our first dance."

Dane says, "Hopefully, this one won't go viral."

Lettie says, "Adalee, I think you have two men waiting for their dances." Both her dad and Hagan's dad are anxiously waiting for their father-daughter dances.

The DJ gets things started again while Lettie slips out the back. "Lettie." I grab her hand and when she peers up at me with her green globes, there are tears threatening.

"What's wrong?" I ask.

She half-laughs, and her voice cracks when she answers, "What isn't? Why didn't you fight for me?"

I'm taken back by her words. Does she not remember me begging and pleading for her not to break up with me? "You told me not to. You're the one who wanted this, Lettie, not me." My voice quivers.

"You should have fought for me. We have so much to fight for."

I don't realize that my hands are cupping her face. "I love you. That hasn't changed."

"Dane, everything changed. You promised we would be best friends regardless, and we can't be. It's too fucking hard."

"You were right. We both need to focus on our dreams even if it means leaving each other behind, temporarily. Then…" I can't finish because I don't believe a word I'm saying. I know how much I need her and want her in my li fe.

She shivers, and I pull her into a hug. "So, you're not going to fight for me?" she chokes out.

I stroke her back while we're hugging. "Have you changed your mind?"

She lifts her shoulders, then lowers them slowly. Now, I know this was my father. He talked to her and when I said she had responded to my text, he got nervous and used her dream against me. But it doesn't change anything. I know my dad will take away her sponsorships in a snap.

"You're the right girl at the wrong time. I'm doing what's best for you and one day, it will be our time. I can't take away your dream."

She pushes against my chest and this time, she wipes away a lone tear streaking down my cheek. "But you did take away my dream. You took everything. You should have fought, and I should have too. We could have had all of this. That was my dream."

We will. One day.

"Lettie… concentrate on the Olympics, and I'll concentrate on basketball. When this part is over, I want to be the man you deserve. What changed your mind? All the obstacles are still there—the time constraints, focusing on our sports. I just can't… I think about you all the time and as you said, it's not healthy."

Folding her lips over her teeth, her jaw tightens, "To use your words, when you're ready, I may have moved on."

It feels li ke I've just been hit by a semi-truck, but regardless of how much pain it causes, I will not destroy her goals, just like she wouldn't crush mine. I was there when she first got on a horse, and I'll be there when she walks into the Olympic Arena. Believe me, I want to be a selfish bastard, but this is Lettie, my best friend since we were six, and we made a pact by the pond.

You'll be an Olympian, and I'll be in the NBA. And we'll be there cheering each other on.

I nod in understanding. She spins to leave, but I pull her back into my chest and plant an open-lipped kiss against her peach-colored lips. "A little something to remember."

Then for the second time, she walks away from me, and I don't beg her to stay. I know she can't.