Breaking the Grid

Magnetic

The next GPs won't be in the usual order but I don't want Blair to go halfway around the world for 2 months now.

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I finish my training session feeling like I haven't done enough, even though my arms and legs are burning. The new program is intense, pushing me harder than before, but I know I have to keep going. There's still more to do. Leah texted earlier, asking me to come by her house. I agreed, but instead of driving or catching a ride, I decide to run there. It's a long way, but I need to squeeze in more training. Every minute counts.

As I run, my mind drifts back to Leah's message. She promised Kyra wouldn't be there, but part of me still feels anxious. We haven't really spoken since that night, and every time I think about it, my chest tightens. I trust Leah, but it's hard not to worry. I shake my head, focusing on the rhythm of my breathing, the pounding of my feet against the pavement.

By the time I reach Leah's place, I'm drenched in sweat and exhausted. My body's screaming for a break, but there's no time to rest. I knock, and Leah answers almost immediately, a surprised smile spreading across her face.

"You actually ran here?" She steps aside to let me in. "You're insane, Becks."

I give her a half-smile as I step into her house, wiping the sweat from my forehead. "Training never stops."

Leah narrows her eyes at me, like she can see right through the façade I'm putting up. "You've been pushing hard lately."

I shrug, brushing it off. "Just part of the program. You know how it is."

She leads me into the living room, where two cups of tea are already sitting on the table. I sit down, letting out a long sigh as I sink into the couch. For a moment, I let myself relax. But before I can even take a sip of tea, my phone buzzes. It's my dad.

"Sorry, I have to take this," I mutter to Leah as I step out onto the porch for some air.

"Blair," my dad's voice comes through the phone, sharp and businesslike as always. "I wanted to remind you about the event the day after tomorrow. You're expected to give a short speech to the sponsors. I don't want you messing this up."

I roll my eyes, glad he can't see me. "I know, Dad. I'll be there. I've got everything under control."

"And don't forget about tomorrow. You've got two photoshoots lined up—one with Vogue in the morning and another with GQ in the afternoon. And an interview coming up, right? With Sky Sports?"

"Yeah, I haven't forgotten. It's all on my calendar."

There's a brief pause, and I can almost hear him calculating something on the other end. "And Joe. You're seeing him tonight, right?"

I freeze for a second. "Yeah. He's... we're going out tonight and tomorrow like you said."

"Good," my dad replies, sounding satisfied. "He's a good influence on you. But don't get too distracted. Your focus should be on the next weekend."

"I know, Dad," I repeat, trying to keep my voice steady. "I'm focused. Everything's fine."

He doesn't respond for a few seconds, and then the line goes dead. I hang up, staring at my phone for a moment, feeling the weight of everything press down on me. The calendar in my head fills up—two photoshoots, a date with Joe, an interview, the sponsor event, and of course, training every single day. I feel like I'm being pulled in a million directions, but I can't slow down. Not now.

When I head back inside, Leah's eyes are on me the moment I step back into the room. She's good at reading people, especially me, and I know she can sense the tension. I force a smile, trying to shake off the weight of that conversation.