Straddling the Line

THIRTY-FIVE

TREVOR WALKED OFF THE FIELD, A MUDDY, VICTORIOUS mess. It had rained almost nonstop through the entire game against Green Bay. He didn’t know when he’d had more fun. He’d caught two passes for touchdowns, and had over a hundred yards in the game.

More importantly, they’d won, and that’s what counted the most, especially since the Hawks were on top of their division. He wanted them to stay there, which meant playing well every week. Right now they were firing on all cylinders.

Professionally, things were going well.

Personally, things were going even better. In the past two months, he’d been working with a specialist in learning disabilities who’d been patient in diagnosing his dyslexia and teaching him to read, plus work on his frustration issues when things didn’t go his way. Denise Lancaster was formidable and no bullshit, and she didn’t fall for his charm. She made him work and work hard. For someone nearly sixty and barely five feet tall, she was one scary woman.

But she was his savior, and for the first time in his life, he was starting to enjoy reading. And even better, he was learning to comprehend what he was reading. It was like the lightbulb had finally gone off in his head, and a whole new world was opening up for him. He could already imagine diving into books he’d waited his whole life to read. Sure, he’d enjoyed audiobooks, but he’d waited a lifetime to read books—really read books.

Denise told him she’d set him up with someone just as scary as she was once he moved back to St. Louis.

He couldn’t wait.

He’d flown home to Springfield and had a long talk with his mother, telling her everything he should have told her years ago. She’d cried. Hell, he’d cried, too, and they’d talked out a lot of shit about his dad. His mother apologized for not being there to help him, and he shouldered the blame for hiding everything, explaining about how he was afraid he was going to end up like Dad.

She’d understood, and she told him she was so grateful he’d had Haven in his life.

Yeah, so was he. He promised to bring Haven there so his mom could meet her and his stepdad soon.

Tonight, Haven’s network was broadcasting his interview. His life story. Which meant the revelation about his dyslexia was going to be front-page news. He’d already told both his coaches and all his teammates. No one had thought it was a big deal, and many had asked why he’d waited so long to talk about it.

But he was talking about it, and he was going to keep talking about it. After the special, the network agreed to do a public service announcement about dyslexia and other learning disabilities, including an 800 number for people to call to find out more about assistance programs. Trevor had insisted, and Haven’s producer had agreed that it would be a great public service.

Trevor and Haven had invited the team over tonight to watch. Trevor was having the event catered, which made Haven roll her eyes.

“I can cook, you know,” she said in between showering and tidying the place up. She’d wrapped up her interview months ago, then promptly quit her job with the network, which had shocked the shit out of Trevor.

They’d argued about it, too. Trevor had told her she had all these ideas for interviews. And she’d told him she was trying to find her place, and while she’d enjoyed the interview, she’d found something she loved more.

“You don’t need to cook for that many people. And are you sure when you watch this tonight you aren’t going to regret giving up your job as a sports reporter?”

“Absolutely not. Working with you has reminded me of my first love—education. I’m doing exactly what I want to do—going back to school to get my master’s in special education, so I can work with kids and adults with learning disabilities.”

“You enjoyed sports reporting, but I’ve seen a real fire lit under you since you decided to reignite your career in education.”

She finished setting the dining room table, then turned to him and grinned. “I know, right? Before my dad died, he told me to follow my dream. To do what I love. At the time, I thought that was journalism. And I did enjoy it a lot. But when I started working with you, I realized that this is what I was meant to do. This is what really makes me happy, Trevor.”

He came over to her and put his arms around her. “You’re what makes me happy.”

“What? Not a dual career of baseball and football?”

“Surprisingly, no. You come first.”

She wrapped her arms around his neck. “So do you. I’ve never been happier. And I think this—you and me—would have made my dad very happy.”

He brushed his lips across hers. “I hope so.”

“It’s making my mom extremely happy.”

He grinned. “I know. I’ve always been her favorite.”

Haven rolled her eyes. “Whatever.”

She started to pull away, but he held her tight. “It’s true. When you were sad and depressed over your dad, she called me and asked me to help.”

Haven frowned. “What? She did? When was that?”

“Right before you got assigned the interview.”

Haven couldn’t believe he’d done that for her. “You orchestrated that interview for me.”

“Partly. And partly to be the focus of a feature story.”

“You weren’t at all interested in that. You did it for me.”

“Yes.”

Haven took in a deep breath. Even back then, he cared about her. “That makes me love you even more.”

“Wait till you see the interview. I’m handsome, I’m charming, I have charisma.”

“Don’t go overboard.”

“I have a nice ass . . .”

She laughed as he walked away.

She was . . . happy. Content with her life, and looking forward to an amazing future. And for a lot of that, she had Trevor to thank.

If not for being assigned to interview Trevor, she might not have come to terms with her father’s passing. And without Trevor’s admission of his learning disability, she might not have rediscovered her love for teaching. She’d been honest with Trevor when she’d told him that while she’d thoroughly enjoyed her time in sports reporting, when she’d dug in and started working with him again on his dyslexia, she’d discovered a newfound passion. And it had taken this journey for her to realize this was where she was meant to be.

Funny how life had such twists and turns sometimes. And how one person could intervene and change your entire life.

She smiled, thinking about her dad. For some reason, she wondered if he had something to do with the matchmaking, if somehow, he’d maybe put a heavenly whisper in her mom’s ear to send Trevor in her direction.

Knowing her dad, he would have found a way. Because Trevor had come into her life when she’d needed him most. He’d turned it upside down and inside out, but she’d ended up happier than she ever thought possible.

She smiled up at the heavens.

Thanks, Dad.