Leaving the worst behind
Seeing the best is right in front of me
Caught in the chains that bind
Running away from anything that breathes
Of all the things I've said and done
I've burned a bridge and then some
There's no one else I trust to come through
You and me
Will get it done eventually
----You and Me, Rick Springfield
May 2017
Grayson sighed as he looked out the window of his hospital room at another spring day in Durham. He was overcome with deja vu. It had been one year ago that he'd been laying in a hospital bed feeling black, numb. And here he was again, back in the same position, staying at Duke for another year.
His phone buzzed, providing a temporary reprieve from his thoughts and he picked it up.
"Hey Luke," he sighed. "How's Cali?"
"It's great, G. Wish you were here!" Luke's voice was happy. "Oh, and Milly says hi. He's been worried about you."
"Tell him I said hi and not to worry. I'll be fine." But he didn't sound fine.
"G, you're gonna be better than fine." Luke's voice got serious. "You're gonna be great. Coach is gonna bring in a huge recruiting class, you're gonna score 25 a game, win another natty and get drafted in the first round. Cait's gonna win a couple more gold medals and everything will be perfect."
"That would be nice, but somehow life doesn't usually work that way," Grayson said wryly.
"How is Cait? Have you spoken to her today?" Luke asked.
"Nope, she's out on the slopes." Grayson let a ghost of a smile cross his face. "I take it you haven't worked up the courage to call her again yet."
"Are you kidding? She ripped me a new one. I don't even think I can repeat the things she said. Something about a reality show drama queen Kardashian wanna be 'ho bag." Luke sighed deeply. "I don't get it. She didn't even like Anna all that much."
"She's just worried about you, Luke. You know she loves you. She doesn't want you to get sucked into something just because you look pretty and would help the ratings." Grayson knew that Cait was very suspicious of Luke's new girl.
"You think I'm pretty?" Luke giggled.
"Not me, you asshat. Cait says you're pretty, but not as pretty as me." Grayson was actually smiling now. "You should call her. She really does love you."
"And I love her," Luke sighed. "I just figured she could use a chance to cool down. Maybe I should round up Chase and take her for ice cream."
"Just talk to her. She hates fighting with you but she can't lie to you either." Grayson knew how upset Cait was over her argument with Luke. "You need someone to be skeptical on your behalf."
"Okay, okay, I'll call her. But if she yells at me again, I'm blaming you." Luke was quiet for a minute. "I miss you two. I miss listening to you bicker, and I miss getting all grossed out by your sappiness and I miss worrying about walking in on you. I miss just hanging out with you two."
"I miss that too, Luke. I miss both of you, even though I saw Cait yesterday," Grayson sighed. "To think there was a time when I didn't want her here." The universe sure was ironic, Grayson thought. "I'm not sure how I'm gonna function without you guys."
"You will, G. I won't be too far away and Cait will be back." Luke managed a soft smile. "And if I ever find someone that looks at me the way Cait looks at you, maybe I can pay you two back for some of that stuff."
Grayson smiled. "I hope that happens, Luke. Unlike you, I'll know to mind my own business when I hear noise in the bedroom."
"Ha! No one could make as much noise as you and Cait," Luke smirked. "One of you is a screamer in bed. And it's not her."
"Okay, this conversation is devolving to a new low, even for us." But Grayson was giggling now. "I'll talk to you soon, Luke."
"Bye G. Rest up, you're gonna carry the team next year!" The call disconnected and Grayson stared at his phone for a minute.
Last year, when he was in this position, he thought he knew what the year would bring but it hadn't turned out the way he'd expected at all. He wished a lot of things had gone differently, sure. But he wouldn't trade staying, meeting Cait and falling in love with her for anything, not even being a lottery pick. Basketball wouldn't last forever. He hoped that they would.
But Grayson realized that he wasn't very good at predictions. All he could do was hope and pray that they'd find a way. And hope and pray for an even better year ahead.
A/N - in honor of Grayson's birthday, here's the end of this part of the story. Hope you enjoyed it!
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Bring Me To Life
FanfictionDuke basketball star Grayson Allen and Olympic champion Caitlin Callahan are too much alike. They're intelligent, driven and fiery. They've enjoyed success. They've both been on the wrong side of public opinion. He's trying to rebuild his image...
