Page 105 of You're the Reason

She wasn’t there, but she might as well have been. All he’d thought of was Grace on the tilting discs. Of her comments about him not being all in. Her saying that he’d tossed her aside. With all that filling his head, he’d hesitated just long enough to send him spinning. Just like she said he did in life. Always looking back. Always losing focus.

But things were supposed to be different. He’d signed the contract for the gym with Jon. He’d even agreed to put The Home of The Storm on front of the building in neon letters.

She must have given up waiting for his answer because she pulled the microphone back. Her smile was more strained by the second. He had to pull himself together. “I know this wasn’t the outcome you hoped for, but I know many of your fans were so glad to see you back.”

“Thank you, it was good to be back.” And that was the truth. It felt good to be out there. And maybe next time he wouldn’t hesitate, but for the first time in a long time he was looking to the future.

“One last question. This year, fans can vote in three of their favorites who didn’t make it to the finals to get another shot. What would you like to say to your fans out there?”

No doubt she wanted him to look into that camera and remind everyone to go online and vote for him. But that just wasn’t his style. Instead, he smiled and nodded. “I am sure whoever they bring back, it will be an amazing show.”

The woman’s smile dimmed as she focused back on the camera. “Thank you, Storm. Allen, back to you.”

The crowd was already going crazy for the guy behind him who had progressed on obstacle three. The Spider Wall. Good luck. Next one is a doozy.

He walked to his friends as they made their way beyond the barrier. They walked toward the makeshift locker room. Although with the security flanking the door, he supposed his friends would have to wait outside.

They had almost reached it when Nate spoke up. “Sorry, man.”

“It’s all good. I’m glad I did it.”

“No regrets if they run the editorial on you?”

“Nope. This is a gift.” He motioned to all the production around him. “Nothing I could have ever planned. Might as well see what God wants to do with it.”

Seth hurried into the locker room and emerged fifteen minutes later with dry clothes and wet but combed hair. He walked to where Grant, Nate, and Jon all waited against a fence.

He crossed over yet another barrier only to suddenly be surrounded by a sea of young faces, several with a large gray cloud painted on them.

“Storm! Will you sign this?” One boy rushed forward, shoving a paper in his face. That seemed to open the floodgates as several pushed forward.

He dropped his bag and accommodated them one at a time, even posing for a few photos before the small crowd dispersed. He lifted his bag again, catching a glimpse of the guys leaning against a fence a few feet away.

Nate stepped forward. “Can we get your autograph, Mr. Storm?”

“Funny.” He motioned down the street in the direction of the parking garage. “Let’s get out of here.”

They were part way down the street when a poster advertising Giselle caught his eye. He stopped and looked around. How had he not realized they were right in front of the Auditorium Theatre? He walked over to the sign and, sure enough, Giselle was playing tonight, and it was marked as the final show.

“You going to go?” Nate stopped next to the sign. “I’m not one for ballet, but it was a good show.”

“I’m not sure she would want to see me.” And yet he couldn’t seem to move on, his feet cemented to the sidewalk. “Can’t say I blame her.”

“Show her that you’ve changed. If her fear is that you’ll abandon her again—” Grant stepped forward and dropped a hand on his shoulder. “Then show up. Again and again until she knows what we know.”

Seth looked at him over his shoulder. “And what’s that?”

Grant shoved his hands in his pockets, seeming in no hurry to move on. “There are few more loyal than you.”

“But I?—”

Nate moved to stand shoulder to shoulder with Grant. “You thanklessly care for your mother.”

“You helped Gabe when many in your position would not have.” Jon joined the wall as if they were all physically blocking him from walking away. From giving up.

Nate spoke up again. “You still stop by Margret’s to check on her even though Grace has no idea.”

“Tell her you love her and let her decide.” Grant crossed his arms over his chest as if to emphasize the wall.

---