Chased Dreams by Lacey Weatherford Read Free Book Online Page B

chances of
winning this bet were pretty high.
    She plucked the wrapper out of my hand,
stood, and walked across the room, depositing it into the
trashcan.
    “Hey! That’s not fair!” I said laughing.
    “Oh? Did someone forget to stipulate the
rules before they called it a deal?” She sent a wink in my
direction and giggled. I could tell she was quite pleased with
herself.
    “Smooth,” I replied, shaking my head as I
realized she had won. How had I managed to let that happened? I’d
made a deal with her though. I couldn’t back out now. “You can find
a counselor and make an appointment. Just make sure it’s not some
cheap crackerjack therapist out looking to make a buck. And,” I
leaned over and picked up the other wrapper, wadding it up. “If I
make this shot from here, the foot massage deal is off.” I grinned
widely, waiting to see if she’d agree.
    “Okay, Mr. QB. Let’s see that great arm of
yours.”
    I quickly judged the distance and aimed. I
threw it with ease, confident in my skill as it sailed through the
air directly on target until Brittney suddenly jumped in front of
the can and caught it.
    “Interception!” She called out doing a
victory dance. “You may be able to do that to those silly boys you
play against, but this girl here, knows you too well.” She
sauntered off toward the kitchen. “I’ll be looking forward to that
massage tonight, babe.”
    I sat dumbfounded with a big goofy grin on
my face, watching her as she left. That was definitely one thing I
loved about Brittney—Nikki too, for that matter. They were never
afraid to be themselves all the time. It was funny to me how they
were both so alike, yet so different, as well.
    Reaching for the remote, I settled down
farther into the couch and sighed. It looked like I was headed for
therapy, but maybe it was a good thing. I always felt better when I
did loosen up and talk to Brittney. Maybe someone who was used to
dealing with issues like this could help me through it. After all,
it wasn’t like I wanted to be unhappy. I just needed a little help
getting some focus and choosing what direction to move in.
    That seemed like half my battle right there.
I was lost. I didn’t know which way was the best way to go. Did I
try to get better with the hope that somehow a miracle would
happen? Or did I try and find something completely new for my life?
And if I did go in a new direction, what direction would that
be?
    I dug my phone out of my pocket and pushed
the speed dial before lifting it to my ear.
    “Well, this is a surprise! How’s my boy
doing?” Grandpa Warren’s voice came through the phone. Just hearing
it made me long for home. I’d give anything to be sitting up in the
loft right now, staring out at the view. I sobered instantly when I
realized I couldn’t even climb into the loft, right now.
    “Hey, Grandpa. I’m okay. Just feeling a bit
homesick at the moment.” I missed everything about that place—my
room, working with the animals, sitting down by the creek, eating
Grandma’s good cooking, family dinners with my mom and Greg, laying
on my bed and talking to Turk. I closed my eyes and tried to
envision myself there.
    “You don’t sound okay. You sound beat down.
What’s going on?” I could hear the love and concern in his
voice.
    I sighed heavily. “I just got back from the
doctor. He’s worried that my fracture isn’t properly stabilized; so
they’re going back in to do some more surgery on it. I guess
they’re gonna add some plates and screws.”
    He was silent for a moment before speaking.
“I’m sorry to hear that, son. I know you were hoping things weren’t
so bad, but at least they’re paying attention to details and trying
to get you healed up right. Try not to let it upset you too
much.”
    “It’s hard not to. I feel like I’m going
backward instead of forward. I don’t know—everything is just
hanging. I can’t play or work—that’s money we were counting on to
survive. We needed that