Page 102 of Just Let Go

“Yeah,” Grady said. “You were right. I’m not twenty anymore.”

Happy laughed. “You’re not even twenty-five.”

Grady listened as Happy outlined the new plan—one that would work best for his body. The eating plan would be difficult to follow in Harbor Pointe, but he’d get help if he had to, no matter how hard it was for him to ask.

“I’m going to work you hard, Grady,” Happy told him. “Because you can handle it and because you don’t have a lot of time.”

“I can take it,” Grady said. “But my resources are limited. We gotta go bare bones on this one.” He’d explained his situation, being stuck in Harbor Pointe, the poor skiing options.

“Bare bones is my specialty,” Happy said. “Listen, if we’re gonna do this, we’re gonna do it right. No shortcuts.”

We.That’s what he needed. Someone on his team.

“You’ll check in with me every day,” Happy said. “At least twice.”

“I will.”

“And I’ll know if you’re slacking.”

“How?”

“Because you’ll still be able to walk.” Happy laughed. “Aw, man, I’ve missed you. It’s going to be fun putting you through the paces again.”

“I think we have different ideas of what fun is,” Grady said.

“I’ll e-mail you. I already had a plan written up for you from before. It’s going to be the same as what we talked about, only now we’re doing it long-distance. You get stuck, you call me. You get discouraged, you call me. Got it?”

“I’ll be fine,” Grady said.

“Listen, Grady, from what I’ve seen, you haven’t been fine,” Happy said. “But you’ve got to let that all go now.”

What if I can’t?

“All those jokers out there running their mouths, they don’t know you like I do. I see nothing but gas left in your tank.”

Grady’s eyes clouded over at the words.Seriously?What was he now, a little sissy?

And yet, he’d been hearing nothing but negativity for weeks. Only words that tore him down—and he’d believed them. Finally, someone to offer some hope.

Grady composed himself, then cleared his throat. “Thanks for taking my call, man.”

“You kidding? I’m in this for the long haul. No matter what happens.”

And somehow, Grady knew he meant it.

“Check your in-box,” Happy said. “And call me in the morning.”

Grady hung up and opened his e-mail. The plan came complete with personal notes likeDon’t go to the bar on the weekends—you’ll undo five days of solid training.

Happy knew him too well.

Grady wasn’t out of shape, but he’d have to commit in ways he never had before if he had any chance at getting back on that team.

But it would be worth it.

Four thirty a.m. came fast. His alarm went off at the same time a text came in.

You up?

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