Page 5 of Chasing After You
“Of course I’m excited, but it’s bittersweet at the same time. Your dad is a legend, and I’m glad I had the opportunity to learn from him, but now that he’s retired . . . I imagined how the pressure would feel, but I didn’t think it’d be like this. I had a meeting with Owen and the front office yesterday, and to say the least, there’s a lot riding on this season for me,” Henry admits, the tension practically rolling off his shoulders.I bet that’s what he was talking to Dad about in the kitchen last night.
“For what it’s worth, I think it will be fine—just show everyone what you can do.”
“You make it sound so simple.”
“You’re overthinking it. It’s only football. From what I hear, you’ve been throwing a ball since you could walk,” I tease, lying down on my board to paddle further out as Henry follows my lead.
“How did you do it at seventeen? Perform with the whole world watching you?” he asks a few minutes later once we’ve settled again.
I play with the end of my braid, thinking back to the Olympics. “I don’t know. I just kind of tuned everything else out. I know that’s not much help, but I’m used to everyone watching me because of my last name. The only difference that time was the gold medal at the finish line,” I say, but it’s the truth.
I’ve lived my life under a magnifying glass and while I had my whole life to prepare for it, I still struggled some days. I’m able to tune everything out most of the time because I still keep my PR team on retainer for when anything pops up. Competing at that level brought a whole new level of scrutiny to me, and it wasn’t healthy for me to see everything everyone said about me, my athleticism, and my body. Since my retirement from elite gymnastics after the Olympics, most have lost their interest in me as an athlete. I know there’s some talk on discussion boards that I’ll be training for the upcoming Olympics, but that couldn’t be further from the truth.
“Have you tried talking to my dad about it?”
He falls silent, and I turn to look at him after a moment. “A little. It’ll be weird without him there, but it’s something everyone will have to adjust to. I don’t want Bash to think I can’t do it, but I feel different this season. I know I haven’t taken things as seriously in past seasons, but I want to get it right this year. Football is my sole focus.” Henry shakes his head, flashing me a quick smile. I recognize it for exactly what it is, but I don’t want to push Henry too far in case he clams up. “I’m being ridiculous. I swear I didn’t come out here to complain. Woe is me, right?”
“Dude, I complain all the fucking time. You’re allowed to be nervous. It’s stressful being an athlete, let alone a professional athlete. I can’t even count the number of times I’ve come out here and screamed because everything got to be too stressful, or to exercise free will. Don’t beat yourself up about it because I couldn’t care less.”
I’d listen to Henry talk about literally anything, but I’m selfishly glad he’s talking to me about this.
Henry laughs, and this time it’s genuine instead of self-deprecating. “Maybe it won’t be so bad having you around this season. Congrats on your internship,” he teases as we’re pushed back by a stronger wave. “I feel like I should warn you that the guys on the team don’t typically like anyone telling them what to do, but I have a feeling they’ll end up making an exception for you.”
“I’m pretty sure I won’t be telling anyone to do anything, considering I’ll be an intern,” I correct, splashing him with water. “I suppose in the event I do have to tell someone what to do, I’m hoping they’ll make an exception for me, being Sebastian Walker’s daughter and all. I’m never one to play the name card, but maybe they’ll take pity on me.”
“Well, if they don’t do it out of loyalty to your father, it probably helps your uncle is the head coach too. A lot of the guys are scared shitless of him,” Henry says, and I grin, connecting the dots.
“Are you afraid of him?”
His cheeks grow pink, but it could also be the sun finally rising and hitting his face. “No comment.”
“Seriously? He’s like a giant teddy bear. I don’t think I’ve ever even heard Uncle Owen raise his voice.” I laugh, and it’s Henry’s turn to splash me back.
“Don’t be mean. That’s because you don’t know him as a coach, just as family,” he points out in defense as I continue laughing, holding onto my board so I don’t fall off into the water.
“Fair, but your dad is a lot scarier than my uncle.”
“I think I agree with you,” Henry says. “So do you actually get any surfing done when you come out here? The water is pretty flat this morning.”
“Depends on the day.” I look at the surf suit he’s wearing, curious if he had the foresight to bring it here. “Did you bring that?” I ask, motioning toward the black material clinging to his body.
“Thalia caught me on my way out. She said I’d be glad for it, and she’s right. I think the water is warmer than the air.”
“She’s always right. You get used to it after a while, but it never stops being annoying,” I say, not surprised my mom’s awake. We’re all early risers.
The conversation drops off for a bit as we watch the sun rise completely, enjoying the quiet peace together. I don’t feel the need to fill the silence with random words, but I’m keenly aware of Henry’s presence. Honestly, I’m a little impressed I haven’t said anything stupid, because I usually end up making a fool of myself in front of him.
We’ve always been friends, but the older we get, the further apart we’ve drifted. It doesn’t help that I wear my heart on my sleeve, but I’m choosing to believe he’s oblivious to the crush I’ve had on him for years.
I know Henry’s older than me, but age is simply a number. I’m twenty, which only makes Henry five years older than me until he turns twenty-six in October. Besides, competing gymnastics at such a high level at a young age forced me to mature quickly.
I’m the first to admit I’m not perfect, though. My brothers tend to bring out the best and worst in me.
Everything would be so much easier if I were the same age as Henry.
Henry clears his throat, breaking the silence, my attention immediately shifting to him. His jaw has a shadow of dark stubble, and his hazel eyes find mine as my heart skips a beat. “I’m sorry we didn’t get a chance to talk last night. JJ and Hunter did a good job of monopolizing all my attention,” he apologizes, and my brain skips five steps to this being the moment he asks me out.
“Don’t worry about it. You know they look up to you.” I play it off with a shrug.
