Page 71 of The Assist
“Your love and friendship are the reasons I dreamed big. You let me believe I could have everything I ever wished for. Even now, I don’t know if I’d be able to get out of bed every day if it weren’t for your voice in the back of my head telling me I can.”
“Gabs.” My voice breaks, and I squeeze her hand tightly. “I don’t know how to be that for him. He’s lost everything he ever wanted.”
“Give him time. When he’s ready, you’ll know, and then, just be you.”
“He’s pushing me away.”
“Don’t take this the wrong way, but what do you expect him to do? His identity has changed. You still see him as the same guy, but everything he ever thought he was has been flipped upside down. He has to deal with that before he can let other people back in. I can see how much you want to run to him and fix it.”
I open my mouth the deny it, but she gives me a knowing smirk. “It’s written all over your face. Remember how you used to storm in here and get me out of bed? Lord, I wanted to toss you out of here some days when you’d pop in all chipper and bring me magazines or books. You’re lucky we’re neighbors or I’d have ghosted you too. The first time you brought the yoga mats, I thought our friendship was over for good. I could barely look at myself in the mirror and you were spouting inner peace bullshit.”
I hold a hand over my mouth to suppress a giggle. “I never knew that.”
“You’re the strongest person I know, Blair. You don’t have to hold on to my dreams, or his, but you do because you desperately want to see everyone have everything they could ever want. You’re a little dream maker. You always have been. You sell yourself short for not wanting big things, but you want big things foreveryone. Your dreams are not only bigger than mine ever were, they’re more important. You’re going to do amazing things. You’re going to inspire and help so many people.”
“Speaking of helping people.” I pull out the spring semester Valley course catalog from my purse and hand it to her.
Surprise makes her eyes widen. “Blair, I can’t.”
“You can.” I leave no room for argument. “Just think about it. It will probably be hard at first, I don’t dispute that, but you can’t sit up here for the rest of your life. And I promise to be right by your side.”
She drops the catalog and hugs me fiercely. Her voice is quiet and shaky when she whispers, “Still letting me dream big.”
28
Wes
“You’re back!”Joel stops short after he spots me lying on the couch in our living room.
“Was there some doubt about my return to school?” I ask dryly. I’m being an ass, but I want no part of all the questions and small talk now that I’m back. I’ve only managed to avoid it to this point because I’ve ignored texts and calls like it was my job.
“Classes don’t start back for another week,” he says by explanation.
I let out a sigh. “I couldn’t handle my parents hovering over me, checking the clock like I was keeping them from their usual holiday festivities. Happy?”
Joel laughs. “No, not really, but I’m glad as shit you’re back. Z has been quieter than normal. In fact, if it weren’t for the shit he says on the court I’d think he’d gone mute.”
As if on cue, the big man walks through the door. A smile spreads across his face and then falls. “You’re back.”
Before I can brace myself, I’m lifted and squeezed like a teddy bear in the desperate clutches of a child.
“Fuck, Z,” I wheeze out and chuckle. “I missed you too, big guy.” I pat his back a few times, and he eases me back down to the couch.
Joel plops down in the armchair with a big goofy grin on his face as if nothing has changed. Fuck, I missed being here. Even more than I hated the idea of coming back and being the only one not running off to practice. Coach told me I was always welcome in his gym and encouraged me to come be his eyes and ears, continue working with Shaw and all that. I told him hard pass.
“We going out to celebrate tonight then?”
“No,” Z and I say in unison.
“Aww, come on. You don’t have anything going on tomorrow.” Joel points to me before swinging his attention to my right. “And, Z, we have late practice tomorrow and our next game isn’t until late next week. Come on, you pansy asses. I’m texting Nathan, he’ll be in.”
Something about his plea or the idea that we could have a night out just like the old days touches something in both of us, I guess, because we’re both nodding and making plans before I realize what’s happening.
We head to The Hideout and grab a table where I can sit and prop up my leg. The pain is better every day, but too much time upright, and I’m gritting my teeth and sucking down painkillers.
The bar and grill is quiet, but then Joel has to open his mouth.
“Blair coming?” he asks as he puts a beer in front of me and takes a seat across the table.
