Page 49 of Full Split
But I think, just maybe, this experience is maturing me. Because I keep my mouth shut and remember that this isn’t about showing off the biggest, baddest tricks. It’s not about me and my need to prove myself. It’s about protecting the team.
I don’t love it. But I get it.
I text Wyatt during our break.
ME: Working on a team is weird.
ME: I never considered some of my risk elements could get downgraded to protect the team score.
DADDY: How do you feel about it?
ME: I think I can do it.
DADDY: That’s not what I asked.
ME: I want to go all out. But I don’t know if that’s selfish.
DADDY: You’re not selfish for wanting to win. Trust the process. Talk to your coaches. You’ll know what’s right.
I take a deep breath. Only two more days and I can see him in person. Kiss him. Touch him. Being this far away makes me feel weird and sappy. I want to tell him things that I might not say in person, like how he makes me feel good—not just physically, but mentally. He makes me feel comfortable in my own skin. And while I don’t need a man to validate me, it feels damn good.
ME: We did it! We’re in the final lineup!!
I can barely sit still. Weston’s beside me, grinning like crazy, shoveling pasta into his mouth like we’re not both vibrating with energy. We went out for a celebratory dinner after our last day of training and being officially offered places on the national team for Worlds.
Wyatt replies almost instantly.
DADDY: I’m not surprised at all.
ME: We’re going to Belgium, baby!
“Are you texting my dad?” Weston asks, looking over at my phone.
Shit.
Quickly, I close out of my message thread with Wyatt and open a text to my mom. Too late, I realize that it’s probably weird that I texted his dad before my own mother.
Keeping a casual expression, I shrug. “He has been our acting coach for most of this year. It felt natural to text him first.”
Weston gives me a strange look but shrugs and goes back to his lasagna. “Please, for the love of God, man, change my dad’s name in your phone.”
I snort-laugh in response, but I’m inwardly cringing. I need to be more careful.
When we land, I’m exhausted but wired.
All I want to do when I see Wyatt waiting at the gate is run straight to him. Throw myself into his arms. Kiss him until I’m breathless.
I almost do.
I’m halfway there before I see the look of fear and apprehension in his eyes.
Right.Get ahold of yourself, Niles.
I manage to redirect at the last second and aim my excitement towards my mom instead. I practically jump on her, enveloping her in a hug and nearly crushing the red, white, and blue Team USA sign she made that saysWORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS: HERE WE COME!
I feel Weston watching me the whole time as he gives his dad an excited, but dignified, greeting, and then turns to hug my mom, too.
Weston and I don’t have any checked bags, so once we’ve hugged everyone and I’ve let Mom cry into my hair, we’re out. Straight to the car, where Weston takes up almost the entire backseat.
