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Sadie pulled Zack aside the next morning. “I wanted to tell you I’m not shaking anymore.” She held her steady hands out in front of her.
He smiled, grateful to see her feeling better.
The crew called to put on their microphones, and they learned they’d be traveling to San Antonio. Only three hours from Katy, it’d been one of their favorite places for weekend getaways. He hoped being there would bring back pleasant memories for Sadie.
As for him, he didn’t need a reminder. He recalled the times they spent exploring the city, and the fun they’d enjoyed.
Twenty minutes from their destination, a shower pelted down. He turned the windshield wipers to full speed. The rain had been constant since leaving South Padre. The highway ahead looked like a lake. An eighteen-wheeler zoomed by on their left, splashing water in its wake.
They’d eaten lunch earlier after stopping to fill the gas tank. Sadie now napped in the passenger seat, but he’d have to wake her soon to navigate. Each day she talked more and more, acting like her old self.
The downpour turned into a light drizzle.
He’d not heard a peep from Truman the last two hours, so the guy must be snoozing. He’d tried to get them to talk about their separation the first few days but gave up and spent most of the time in the SUV sleeping.
Blurry red brake lights suddenly came from the cars ahead. He pressed the brakes.
Sadie sat up straight. “How close are we to San Antonio?”
“Less than twenty miles.”
Traffic slowed more, and the cars ahead transferred into his lane—the farthest to the right. He let in a group of vehicles and sighted the problem.
The eighteen-wheeler truck and trailer that flew past him a while back was on its side obstructing two lanes.
A car faced the wrong direction. Another butted against the center concrete wall separating east from westbound vehicles.
As they passed the wreck, Sadie gripped Zack’s arm. “Stop.”
Truman’s head popped up in the rearview mirror. “Oh, hell. I’m calling 911.”
Zack drove into the blocked lanes, leaving the one lane passable. Sadie exited the car before he shifted into park, and he quickly caught up to her. The rain had passed, but everything was still soaked.
Crying wailed as loud as car engines passing by. An elderly man in the automobile facing the wrong way slid out of his car. “Is everyone all right?”
They hurried to the truck, more particularly, the underside of it. Sadie hollered, “Hello, can you hear me?”
“Yes,” a muffled, masculine voice answered.
“Are you hurt?” She sidestepped to the other side of the vehicle, Zack on her heels.
“My buddy ... unconscious ... bleeding ... airbag and the seat belt ... holding me here.” Some of the man’s words were drowned out by passing traffic and the baby’s cries. The shattered windshield held together, leaving nothing visible inside the cab.
“Give me a leg up.” Sadie waved her arms.
Zack cupped his hands, and she stepped into them as he lifted her. She used her arms to steady herself on the door and peered inside the driver’s side. “Can you put the window down?”
A moment later, the person inside answered, “No.”
“Try to wake him. Call his name as loud as you can,” she instructed.
“Kevin! Kevin!”
She looked down at Zack. “I can’t do anything here.”
He eased her to the ground. Once her feet hit the asphalt, she ran over to the white car, the one by the median.
The driver had gotten out of the passenger door and leaned over the crying baby in a car seat in the back. Windows intact, the airbags were not deployed.
“How are you two?” Sadie asked.
The woman straightened and faced them, a baby bottle in her hand. “I saw the truck approaching in my rearview mirror and slowed. He passed and lost control. I slammed on my brakes to avoid him and slid, scraping the median. We’re fine.”
“Let the paramedics check you both out,” Sadie insisted.
She and Zack rushed to the last vehicle. Sirens rose over the sound of crying and revving engines.
The man standing at his open driver’s door asking if everyone was alright appeared unharmed even though his car was now aimed into oncoming traffic. A short someone sat in the passenger seat.
When they got close, Sadie pointed. “Who’s inside?”
“My wife, Harriett.”
“Sir, you should sit in your car until the police and paramedics arrive.”
The man stared at the truck. “It happened so fast. He started to jackknife, and I hit the brakes. Around we went.”
They skirted to the passenger side, and Zack opened the door.
Fear in her eyes, the gray-haired woman gasped.
“Hi, Harriett, do you hurt anywhere?” Sadie calmly hunched down and clasped the woman’s wrist.
Harriet pressed a hand over her heart.
“Zack, please get our lunch bag.”
He sprinted to their SUV. Sirens screeched louder and red lights flashed from somewhere across the median. It wasn’t until he started back that he saw Truman filming the mayhem.
Upon seeing Zack returning with the bag, the old man stooped to look into the car. “Darling, is something wrong?” He crawled into the classic sedan and scooted across the bench seat to sit next to his wife.
“She’s hyperventilating.” Sadie took the bag from Zack and placed it over Harriet’s mouth. “Slow and easy.”
“Oh, my love, is it your anxiety?”
Harriett nodded. She clutched the bag as it inflated and deflated with each breath she took.
“I’m sorry. I should’ve realized this might happen and stayed in the car with you.”
Harriett pulled the bag from her mouth long enough to say, “Strike two, Louie.”
He smiled. “I’ve dreaded this day since I got my first strike on our second anniversary. But you have to admit, we both knew this day would come. After fifty-six years of marriage, it was bound to happen.”
“What do we have here?”
Sadie stepped back for the paramedic to assess the patient.
“You want to stay until everyone is rescued?” Zack offered.
“I’ve done what I can.” She laced her fingers with his. They started toward the SUV, and she called, “Truman, we’re leaving.”
“Go.” He waved without stopping the camera.
Another white Audi SUV pulled in front of theirs. Brett, Kelly, and their cameraman hopped out.
“How can we help?” Brett yelled as they approached.
“Paramedics arrived moments ago and are handling it. Two guys are stuck in the truck, one is unconscious.” Sadie gestured to more rescue workers crossing the median. “We thought we’d continue with the race. Truman wants to keep filming.”
“We’ve lost Trent as well.” Kelly pointed at their cameraman shooting the underside of the truck.
“We should ride together and leave a car for them,” Sadie suggested. “Do you guys mind?”
“Of course not,” Brett and Kelly spoke in unison.
Zack popped the back hatch of their SUV with the fob and ran over to Truman. “Here. You and Trent take our car.”
Truman held out his hand, his attention still on filming. “Thanks, man.”
Brett carried their backpacks to his car, put them in the back and got behind the wheel. Sadie gathered their apples and bars that had been in the sack, and Zack picked up their cooler before locking the Audi.
Kelly offered, “Zack, you want to ride up front?”
“Sadie might. She gets carsick.”
“Have at it, girl.” Kelly slid into the backseat behind her husband and Zack behind his wife.
Once on the road, Sadie said, “Thank you for stopping.”
“Brett’s a volunteer firefighter. He always stops for wrecks or when someone is pulled over on the side of the road.” Pride colored Kelly’s voice.
“Sadie does the same. She even delivered a baby once.” Zack grabbed the wipes from the pocket behind the seat in front of him and offered one to Sadie before he cleaned his hands.
A moment later, she peeked around her chair and held an apple out toward him.
He purposely placed his hand on hers over the apple. “You did great back there.”
She smirked. “I can’t stop wondering what Louie did for his first strike.”
He laughed.
~
“Who’s Louie, and what first strike?” Kelly rummaged through their lunch sack. She and Brett ate their apples earlier, but they had energy bars left. In this contest, you never knew when you’d eat another meal. She handed one to Brett over his shoulder.
Laughing at Sadie’s story of the elderly couple, Kelly glanced into the rearview mirror, and her gaze collided with Brett’s. They’d shared many looks the last five days. Looks filled with longing. If only there was a way to fix their problem. Since learning Sadie was a PA for gynecologists, he’d repeatedly asked Kelly to talk to her.
She refused each time, telling him they’d already tried everything. Only doctors, who swore the Hippocratic Oath, knew the reason for their separation. Brett told her he’d requested Sadie approach her. She was grateful her roommate told him she wouldn’t, but would be open to Kelly coming to her.
Her problem in speaking to Sadie was the same as with talking with anyone. She feared people would think of her as a failure. Or worse, they’d pity her. That was the one thing Brett never did, and she loved him for it.
Twenty minutes later, they pulled into a lot denoted as Chasing Sunsets parking, where a group of camera workers waited. The four doors on the SUV opened the second Brett put the car into park. They followed arrows down the sidewalk next to the busy traffic until they came upon two signs. RIVERWALK BOAT SERVER and ALAMO SOLDIER.
Kelly put her hands on her hips. “Which do you want, Brett?”
He’d always asked her first, and she wanted him to decide today.
Zack and Sadie ran in the different indicated directions. No wonder they were excellent racers, it didn’t take them long to make decisions.
“Either is fine,” Brett replied.
“No,” Kelly insisted. “This time you decide. I’ve chosen the individual tasks we’ve done.”
He turned his back to the cameraman taping them and mouthed, “What’s up?”
She truly didn’t know, she didn’t understand her insistence for him to decide, but for some reason, it mattered to her at this moment. “I want you to choose.”
“Fine, I’m a soldier.”
Hours later, after she served meals on a Riverwalk restaurant boat and Brett fought a paintball battle in a mock Alamo stand; they reproduced a sun mosaic to the exact number of tiles, colors, and design specifications. They were fifth to finish, mere seconds before sunset.
They spoke to each other very little, their words curt and cold.
She felt the distance between them growing and hated it.
~
Upon returning to his suite after having dinner with Sadie, Zack found the bag he’d put his phone, charger, and wallet inside the first day. Since tomorrow was a day off, they could spend their own money on anything they wanted.
He’d felt close to Sadie today. They’d worked together when they stopped at the wreck site, and again while designing the sun mosaic. With his colorblindness, he couldn’t have gotten the damn thing right without her.
A knock rapped on the door as he turned on his phone. He crossed the room and opened the door. “Hey, Ruben.”
“Some of the guys are going down to a pub on the Riverwalk. Come and I’ll buy you a drink for helping Tamara and me the other day.” The guy’s huge frame filled the doorway.
“Sure.” Zack slid his wallet into his back pocket and his phone into his front. “You owe my wife more than me though. I suggested you ski.”
“Yeah, I guess I do. What do you do for a living?”
“I’m a high school football coach.”
“I love football. Some of the best times of my life were on the field.” Ruben sounded nostalgic as they boarded the elevator. “I tore my ACL my senior year, in a game ten college scouts attended to see me play. Needless to say, my hopes of a scholarship vanished.” He ran a hand over his face. “I tried to walk on at Texas Tech the next fall. My knee wasn’t ready, and I injured it again. I dropped my college classes and started working at a gym part-time.”
“You look like you’re still in shape.”
“I am. I have buddies, and we push each other to continue developing our skills. But it’s nearly impossible to get noticed by NFL scouts.”
When they arrived at the pub, Zack said, “I’m going to make a quick phone call.”
Ruben went inside, and Zack punched Dre’s number on his phone and wandered away from the noisy pub.
Dre answered on the third ring. “How’s the race?”
“Okay, I’m hopeful. How are you?”
A groan came over the line. “Spring training is kicking my ass.”
Twenty minutes later, Zack entered the pub and walked over to where a few of the guys from the competition were seated with a bunch of young girls who looked college age. A man played piano and patrons sang along. He motioned for Ruben to follow him outside to talk in private. Once a few yards from the entrance, Zack began, “I explained your story to a friend of mine who knows Snyder White.”
Ruben’s back straightened. “The Snyder White? The linebacker?”
“Yeah. His story is similar to yours. He was able to get into spring training eight years ago and has played ever since. My friend set up a call between you and Snyder tomorrow morning at ten if you want to talk to him.”
Mouth open, Ruben gaped at him.
“Nothing may come from this meeting, but you’ll be able to ask him questions.”
Ruben shook his head. “Are you screwing with me?”
“No. I merely called a friend. He made the rest happen.” Zack gestured with his phone. “I need your cell number to send you the Colts’ number. Tell the receptionist your name, and you should be put through to Snyder.”
“How ... why ... who ...” Ruben blinked. “Why would you do this for me?”
“Don’t raise your hopes. As I said, he might not be able to help.”
“It’s amazing he’s even willing to talk to me.” He rattled off his number as Zack typed it into his phone. “Who’s your friend? I want to thank them.”
“I already did. I’m beat. I’m going back to my room. You going inside?”
“Nah.” Ruben stepped alongside him as they returned to the hotel. “I’ve got to tell Tamara about this. She won’t believe it. Zack, I don’t know what to say.”
He grinned. “When the race is over, maybe you’ll buy me that drink.”
~
Following dinner, Kelly excused herself and acted like she was going to the restroom. Knowing Brett would bring up her talking to Sadie again, she snuck out the hotel exit and onto the Riverwalk in hopes of avoiding him.
She wandered a considerable distance, enjoying the lush foliage and sat on a stone bench for the longest time. Couples strolled by, many holding hands. White lights in the trees canopied over the river ignited glinting sparks on the water. Breezes through the trees softly whispered undecipherable sweet nothings. The incredible beauty around her exuded romance.
Romance.
She missed it.
“You’ve yet to file for a divorce.” Brett’s voice came from somewhere to her left.
Because I still love you. She bit her lip to keep from saying the words. Steeling herself for another confrontation with him, one she’d hoped to avoid, she didn’t comment until he took the spot beside her. “The papers are drawn up and with my attorney.”
Taking a deep breath, she smelled his cologne. He’d been wearing the same scent every day. She’d never smelled it on him before the race. The pleasing fragrance was delightfully zingy without being overpowering.
“Why haven’t you filed?” she asked.
“I have no reason to file.”
Anger flared inside her. “You have every reason.”
“I told you when you announced—” He turned toward her. “Did you notice I used the word announced, like I had no choice in the matter? You didn’t even bother to discuss it with me. You decided marriage got too hard and wanted to quit.”
Good, he was as mad as she was. “It wasn’t your choice whether we separated or not.”
“Obviously. But it would’ve been nice to be consulted.” He glared at her, his eyes searching her face. “Let’s put that aside for one minute. Let’s put aside the fact you cut me in half. I told you then I would wait however long it takes for you to come to your senses.”
That infuriated her even more. “I’m in control of my senses. I do wonder if you are, though.” She didn’t mean for her words to come out loud enough for anyone to hear, but fury had a way of getting away from her.
His eyes narrowed in annoyance before he looked away and stared at the water.
Emotions and thoughts scampered through her mind. Her heart squeezed, painfully. “Will you forgive me, Brett?”
“For what?”
“If I divorce you.”
~
Brett struggled to keep from yelling at her. “No.” There was no reason for him to lie. He’d never forgive Kelly. They both knew it. She knew the answer to the question before she asked it. For some reason, she insisted on torturing both of them.
“I’m sorry.”
“So you’ve said.”
“We were miserable living together.”
“You were miserable,” he corrected. “I was willing to do anything to fix us.”
“We went to five specialists. Five. There’s no fixing us.”
He faced her and grabbed her hands. Fearful she might pull away, he was rewarded when her body relaxed at his touch. He spoke slowly, trying to reach her. “If you’d stop talking at me and simply listen and believe me, none of this would be happening.”
She tugged her hands from his, her tension returning. “It’s so unfair.”
“Yeah, it is.” He sighed.
“Do you regret marrying me?”
“Hell, Kell, I still want to be married to you.”
In the weak light from a distant lamppost, he watched pools of tears fill her eyes. He hated to see her upset, but their problem wasn’t going to disappear unless they found a way to deal with it. He didn’t want to fight with her right now though, so he changed the subject. “I go back to work the week after taping the show.” His boss had kept in touch and promised whenever Brett returned he’d have a job. “Roscoe has a contract lined up for me. I’ll be doing trim work on a new house.”
“All I’ve done is work since you left,” she admitted.
“I got that impression from our conversations. Plus, your mom calls me every three days. She’s worried about you.”
“And you.”
“She does love me.” He smirked.
“Everyone loves you,” she replied, something she used to say often.
They spoke about their families, and he told her some of the things he’d done while in Colorado.
“We should turn in,” he finally said. “I’m sure you’re as exhausted as I am. At least tomorrow is a day off. Still, we better get as much rest as we can.”
She stood, and he joined her as they followed the winding stone path.
“I miss you. Even right now, walking next to you, I miss you,” she admitted.
Her confession eased his heart. “I miss you too.”
“I wish we could go back to how we were before we married. Happy. Carefree. Blissfully in love.”
Her wish was not his. He wanted his wife back, his best friend. They didn’t speak the rest of the way or on the elevator to their floor. When they approached her room, he appealed to her again. “Think about opening up to Sadie.”
They stopped at her door, and she pulled the keycard from her back pocket.
Frenzied desperation hit him. He took her face in his palms. “She might be able to recommend someone who can help.”
Her miserable expression appeared hopeless.
He had to make her understand there was more they could do. “Fight for us, Kell. This is what marriage is, fighting to be together.”
“It’s too hard, Brett. I can’t...” Her words trailed off, and she spun away.
“Expect my nagging to continue.” Except, he wouldn’t do it during taping of the show with the damn microphones listening. Neither his family, nor hers, knew why they were living separately, and he wouldn’t be the one to reveal the reason to everyone.
She opened the door and gazed back at him with a sad smile. “Night.”
The door shut, and his resolve burned stronger than ever. He’d never lost a fight in his life, and he wasn’t about to start now.
“You will never experience personal growth, if you fear taking chances.” ~ T. Sorensen