Page 37 of Just Let Go

“The kid?”

Pete sighed. “They want someone young and fresh.”

It hit him like a sucker punch to the gut. That had been him only a few years ago. What had changed?

“They think I’m finished,” Grady said. The sting of saying it out loud needled him.

“Doesn’t matter what they think. All that matters is getting back up there and crushing your last time.”

“But it does matter, Pete. Without that money, how am I going to take care of Benji, let alone myself?”

“We’ll figure something out.”

“You’re a miracle worker, Pete, but if you believe what they’re saying online, evenyouare going to have trouble fixing this.”

“Don’t underestimate me. Or you. You’ve never gotten caught up in your negative press before.”

“Because it was always about my attitude or my ego. I don’t care about any of that stuff. When they start talking about my skiing, that’s a different story.” Made his blood boil, if he was honest. Because he couldn’t respond—he’d just look like a spoiled athlete who didn’t know his glory days were behind him.

“What are you saying? You want to retire?”

Grady hated that the word had even entered their conversation. “Of course not.”

“There’s no shame in it. You’ll always be one of the best.”

“I can’t go out like this. I can’t go out after failing to get back onthe team. Besides, retirement will have a lot more opportunities if I go out on top—isn’t that what you’ve always said?”

Pete sighed. “Yeah, it is. I can’t believe you were listening.”

“I was listening.” The only problem was, he’d never actually considered that the choice might not be his. He’d never thought there would be a sliver of a chance he wouldn’t make it on the team. Now? He seemed to be the only one who thought he had a shot.

“I’ve got a few phone calls to make, but I wanted to give you the update. Keep your head down out there and get through this community service. You gotta get some training in.”

“Gonna be pretty hard.” Grady looked down at the plate of food in front of him. He had no memory of Betsy bringing it, but suddenly his appetite was gone.

“Do the best you can with what you’ve got.” Pete hung up, leaving Grady reeling from their conversation. Without that endorsement money, he was done. He’d have to get rid of his condo. And Benji—he didn’t want to think about what it would do to him.

His text alert went off.

Speaking of Benji... He hadn’t been back to see his brother in years, but they still kept in touch, which was more than he could say for the rest of his family.

They’re saying you’re out of the running for the Olympic team. Don’t listen to the haters. You’ve got a few more years left in the tank. How are things in Michigan?

Grady stared at the words on his screen.

A few years left? Benji was being generous.

Why was Grady suddenly unsure? And if he didn’t make the team—what then? What did a professional athlete do with his life when the public decided they’d had enough of him? When his body couldn’t keep up with the eighteen-year-old up-and-comers? When the people who were supposed to stick by him until the end abandoned ship too soon?

What was left for Grady Benson now?

CHAPTER

10

GRADY TOOK A TWENTY-DOLLAR BILL OUT OF HIS WALLETand threw it on the table next to his plate of untouched food. Betsy rushed over, and he didn’t want to be rude, but he really needed to get out of that suffocating diner with the onlookers and the reminder that he was 100 percent stuck here.

Four years ago, one shot would’ve been all he needed. It was practically a given that if he showed up at any race, he would easily win—and more than that, the team would be thankful they had him. Sure, he had his quirks, but they’d learn to live with them. After all, he was the one who got it done.

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