The shock registers on their faces, but Gran is the first to recover. “Perhaps you are aware of Ollie’s…activities, Fallon, but the university is not. His account is a violation of policy. If the dean were to find out about this, scandal would befall the school and Ollie would surely be dismissed from the team.”
It takes a moment to process what she’s saying, but then the weight of her words—and her intended actions—hits me like a truck. “What are you saying? You’re going to report him to the school just because he makes videos? Why would you do that?”
My grandmother blinks. “To protect you. Darling, you simply can’t stay married to someone with these proclivities. I don’t want to shock you, but this is likely just the very surface layer. I have no doubt there’s more to be uncovered. People who want this kind of attention are usually into a lot of seedy stuff, if you know what I mean.”
My grandmother’s righteousness doesn’t sit well with me, and I wonder what she’d have to say if she knew about some of the things I’ve been up to lately. Seedy, indeed. I keep my mouth shut, though, because I’m sure she’d only use anything I say as evidence that Ollie has brainwashed me.
“We’re going to take action, Fallon. It’s the responsible thing to do.”
I know that look. My grandmother means business. “You can’t tell the university. Ollie will lose everything.”As soon as the words are out of my mouth, I realize that’s exactly what she wants. Because she knows I’ll do anything to stop it from happening.
Gran reaches out and puts her hand on mine. The look on her face is one of pure torture. She truly thinks she’s doing what is right, even though it’s so wrong that it’s breaking my heart. “We feel obligated to go to the school with this information, of course,” she says, “but we are willing to keep quiet about it. All we ask in return is that you take a break. Give yourself some time and space from Ollie. That way you can look at the situation with a clear head and decide what’s truly best for you.”
“You want me to leave Ollie? The answer is no.” My response is immediate.
“No, dear,” Grandad corrects. “We want you to give yourself some time to think things through. And you can do that while you’re traveling. The mission trip leaves in just a few weeks, so the timing couldn’t be better. Just explain to this young man that things moved too quickly and that you need some space. When you return, if your feelings haven’t changed, we’ll be willing to give Ollie another chance.”
I’m stunned. I can’t believe what they’re suggesting, but what’s even worse is that I know they think they’re helpingme. Not only do they believe that what Ollie does is depraved, but they actually believe that I’ve somehow been brainwashed, that time apart from Ollie will give me a much-needed perspective.
But I don’t need a new perspective.
And I don’t need time away from the man I love.
Yes, love.
We haven’t used that word yet, but I know my mind. There’s no doubt in my mind that my feelings for Ollie are genuine and no one else can make me feel the way he does.
I look up at my grandparents once again. They share a determined look that causes a pit to form in my stomach. The very thought of what they’re willing to do to keep Ollie and me apart has bile rising in my throat.
Suddenly, it’s all too much. My head spins and my stomach pitches. I race out of the room and make it to the toilet just in time to throw up the meager contents of my stomach.
I roll over in bed, wishing that I was at the hockey house in the room I share with Ollie, instead of the frilly guest bedroom at Gran and Grandad’s.
After I got sick in the middle of dinner, my grandparents insisted I stay for the night. I was in no shape to drive, so I agreed, even though they’re the last people I want help from now.
The worst part is, I’m considering taking it.
Instead of sleeping last night, I played out every possible scenario in my head. I could tell Ollie, and we could figure it all out together, but he has so much on his plate right now. As Captain, he has tons of responsibilities, and he’s still working hard to maintain peace on the team.Plus, there’s the pressure from his dad. He already feels like he’s not good enough—which drives me crazy—and if I unload all of this onto him, he could collapse under the pressure.
I might try to talk sense into Gran and Grandad again, but it’s probably a lost cause. They truly believe that what they’re doing is right, and I’m not sure how to convince them otherwise.
Maybe I should talk to Booker? I know he’d hate what Gran and Grandad are doing and why they are doing it, but maybe he’s not the person to go to? Based on his reaction to my marriage, he probably thinks a little time off is a good idea.
I consult Emersyn on just about everything, but she’s a wild card. She would never agree with Gran and Grandad, and I know she’s Team Ollie all the way, but her solution would probably be for Ollie and me to change our names and go off the grid.
I’m tempted to call my mom, but after the nasty divorce with Dad, she doesn’t need me to give her another problem to solve. Plus, Gran and Grandad are her parents. I know she’ll want what’s best for me, but do I really want to force her to make a choice? And even though I adore her, I have to admit that my mom has a long history of following other people’s expectations. She stood up to my dad, but it took about twenty years. Would she take a side against her parents after all the ways they supported her? I’m not sure I want to take that risk.
My phone lights up with a text, and when I see Ollie’s name, my heart leaps and then cracks just a little.
Ollie: Tried calling last night, but you must have been asleep. We won 3-2. We play again this afternoon and fly out tonight. I miss sleeping next to you, but I’ll be back in our bed tomorrow night. Be ready for me. ;)
I wasn’t ready for Ollie. Not at all. And I’m not ready to leave him.
34
Ollie
Thanks to a delayed flight, I don’t get home until nearly midnight Sunday night. We won split games against Olmsted, and were pretty evenly matched, so that gives us a lot to work on before we face them again on our turf.
