It All Leads Back to You

Chapter 11 - Dani

The Alcott

Jonas Eidevall: Don't worry about your spot on this team. You go take care of yourself and check in with me. Keep me updated with your health. You're doing great, Danielle.

I read Jonas's text as my Uber came to a stop. I hearted the message then grabbed money from my wallet. I paid the driver and got out.

I flew back to Utah two days ago. I needed a break. A break from everyone. I told Jonas and he agreed to it as long as I was monitored and staying with someone. I was going to ask Christen, but I stayed locked in a hotel room for a little over a day. Then I went to Christen's.

I was going out to lunch with her and Tobin.

Mom and Dad.

I saw the pair outside at a table. They were talking when I walked up to them. I saw three drinks. Waters and a lemonade.

"Hey," Tobin smiled. "You doing better today?"

Long story short, yesterday was rough. A lot of tears and a lot of calls from me to my girlfriend went straight to voicemail.

"Eh," I shrugged.

"I don't understand why you did something that stupid." Christen voiced.

"I don't know, Chris. I was trying to intimidate Leah maybe. I'm not sure. But I am sure Laura's going to dump me."

"Well, you did have your hand in your ex's pants." Tobin said. "That's a dick move."

"Thanks, Dad." I rolled my eyes. "I wasn't going to fuck her or anything. I was merely teasing her for a reason I haven't figured out yet."

"You know I love you, right?"

"Uh oh." Tobin laughed. "Christen's pulling out her mom lecture." Christen elbowed her. "Ow! That hurt!"

I laughed, "I do."

"Then it's with love that I tell you this; you need to figure out what you want with your life. You've done well. You've stayed sober. You have a girlfriend who's probably going to dump you. But you need to figure out what you want."

I sighed. She was right. If I was being honest, I loved Leah. I'd loved her for a long time and I always thought I'd end up with her, but then we broke up. I had the best times with her and when I looked at her, I saw the future right there. But somehow, she was the wrong one. Or I was the wrong one.

I liked Laura. A good girl with a good life. We didn't fight. Well, other than the other day, but we agreed on a lot. She was the right choice. The one that everyone would agree is the right choice.

"What are you thinking about?" Christen grabbed my hand from across the table.

"I...I love Leah."

My voice felt so small.

"We know." I watched her nervously eye her fiancée. "But?"

"But Laura's the right choice because...it's easy. We work in a way me and Leah never did."

"Love's not easy." Tobin said. "Me and Chris argue and disagree, but you have to work at it. You have to work with love. Not against it. Sometimes, the right choice is the hard choice."

"I—" My phone pinged. "One second." I held up my hand. "It's Katie." I looked down at the text.

Katie: I know you're taking a break, but we think Laura tore her ACL. You should come back and be here. Your call, Cruz.