Breaking the Grid

Tatoos

"Who's Blair Becks' new girlfriend? The famous French driver seems to have found love! In April, a photo of her kissing a young blonde girl went viral. After some digging, it appears to be none other than the English football captain, Leah Williamson."

I can feel Kyra shift slightly on me as I read, her head resting on my chest but her body tense. I continue with a small smile, "Since her accident, Blair hasn't shared much about her personal life, but she's been spotted at Arsenal games supporting Leah. This week, the two were seen looking close in Paris with friends..."

I set my phone down, chuckling a bit. "They've got it all wrong," I say, trying to make light of it. But Kyra doesn't seem to find it funny. Her jaw is clenched, and she's looking down, her hand resting on my chest as if deep in thought.

"Kyra... you alright?" I ask softly, brushing my fingers through her hair. She lets out a sigh, her voice barely above a whisper.

"It just... it stings, you know?" she says. "The whole world thinking you're with her. And I get that you two... had history," she adds, her voice tinged with a hint of jealousy, "but I'm the one here with you now, Blair."

I sit up slightly, making her look me in the eyes. "Ky, I know it's frustrating. I wish we didn't have to keep everything hidden. But you're the one I'm here with, right now. You're the one I want to be with."

She nods but still looks conflicted. "It's not just that, Blair. I don't want people to know yet... about us. But reading stuff like this, seeing people thinking you're with someone else, it just—"

"Hurts," I finish for her. "I get it. And if it makes you feel any better, Leah and I aren't... there's nothing there. We had a one-time thing, a long time ago. It didn't mean anything. It's you I care about."

She gives me a small, sad smile, her fingers tracing circles on my arm. "I know, Blair. I do. But sometimes, I just wish it could be simpler."

I pull her closer, pressing a gentle kiss to her forehead. "We'll figure it out, Kyra. No matter what anyone else thinks or says. I'm here, with you, and I'm not going anywhere."

She finally relaxes a bit, wrapping her arms around me, her head tucked into my shoulder. I can feel her tension start to ease, and as we sit there, wrapped up in each other, I know we'll find a way through—no matter how complicated things get.

Kyra's voice is barely above a whisper. "What if Leah... likes you?" She hesitates, then sighs, "I don't get it, Blair. Why would you choose someone like me? There are so many others out there—people who could give you what you truly deserve."

I look at her, taking in the vulnerability in her eyes, the doubt creeping in despite everything we've shared. It hurts me to see her question herself like this, especially when she doesn't realize just how much she means to me.

"Kyra," I say, reaching for her hand. "I don't want 'someone else.' I want you. Do you know how rare it is for me to feel this... this calm and this much like myself around anyone?"

She meets my gaze, and I can see she's struggling to believe it. "But... Leah, or anyone else—they'd be easier for you. Someone who's open, who isn't scared of what people will think."

I shake my head, squeezing her hand. "But they wouldn't be you, Kyra. I don't need someone 'easy.' I need someone real. You're honest, you're strong, and you make me feel like I can be myself without having to perform. And I'm not going to walk away from that just because there might be some people who think I should be with someone else."

She takes a shaky breath, her fingers intertwined with mine. "I just... I'm scared, Blair. I'm scared of letting you down. Scared that you'll wake up one day and realize you could have had it all with someone else."