Page 114 of Faking the Shot

“I’ve had to learn to be.” The light in his face faded. “There are people out there who don’t want to see others succeed.”

For sure.

“But we’re not going to let them win, are we?”

She lifted her chin and squeezed his hand. “They’ve got no chance against us.”

* * *

It wasfunny how two little letters could form such a powerful word.Us.

Tonight had felt like anus. When he’d showed up with food and Michael had let him in, expressing concern for Ainsley, he hadn’t been sure this was the right thing to do. Until he had seen her and been sure. Seen her relief. Seen her fears fade. He might be the fake boyfriend, but he really hoped moments like this could help her see that they could be real.

Everything had felt real. Real pain. Real ache. Then real peace. Real laughter. Maybe it was his prayers, or those of Chris and Diana, or multitudes of her fans. She seemed so much better than when he arrived, and he’d like to think he was responsible for some of that. He suspected it was more God working in her heart.

Her beautiful heart. Soft with compassion for others. Sensitive to hurts. A beautiful heart that was reflected in her face, and life and legacy. If only she could believe it.

Seeing her relaxed in this way made him feel like she might end up believing it one day. That God could somehow use this moment of awfulness for His purposes. That her post could be a way of letting grace get in the middle of this heart-wrenching situation. Too often he’d seen this kind of thing turn into a combative dark tunnel of trolls, where anger and fear motivated commentary and slashed with words that cut.

Ainsley’s post by way of contrast felt like soothing balm. Thank God for inspiring that thought.

He watched as her eyelids got heavy. He’d stay all night if he could—on the sofa—just to make sure she didn’t suffer from any bad dreams. But from the way her blinks became longer, sleep probably wasn’t too far away. Which meant he needed to go. Especially as he had to catch a plane tomorrow.

“When can I next come and watch you play?”

“Well, you could come to Seattle and watch me tomorrow night if you wanted.”

She smiled. Then looked thoughtful. “Maybe I could.”

His heart trickled with excitement. “Really?”

“We finish shooting at five, so I could see about catching a flight. What time does the game start?”

“Eight.”

She nodded. “And did I hear a rumor that you might be playing at the All-Star game?”

“It’s in Minnesota, in the first week of February. Why?”

Her look held shyness. “Would you like me to come?”

“Are you kidding?” Get the chance to show off his skills in front of her? Maybe impress her a little bit more? “I’dlovefor you to come.”

“You don’t think it would be awkward? I don’t want it to turn into a circus or anything.”

“Sorry babe, but this is one gig when I’ll likely be the bigger star of the show.”

“The starriest of the All-Stars, huh?”

“You know it.” He rolled his eyes.

Her lips tweaked up. “I suspect we’ll have wrapped up shooting, so I should be free by then.”

He internally fist-pumped.

“And it’d be great for everyone to see we’re still together, after all.”

His heart fell.