Release (Off Balance 3)

I pressed the ignore button and sent them straight to voicemail. I didn't have time to go over the results now with practice about to start.

"No, it's fine. I can call them back during lunch."

"Congrats on making the national team. I'm not surprised though. I had a feeling you'd make it."

"Thanks," I replied. Not even the reminder of making the team could get me out of my dark mood.

"I've been trying to reach you for a while now," he said.

My gaze averted to the ground then back up. He had called a few times but I’d hit the fuck you button every time. "I know," I said quietly. "I'm sorry. I've just been really busy."

Hayden tilted his head to the side and gave me a knowing look. "I can see past your bullshit, you know, but it's cool, I get it." He shifted on his feet and offered me a small smile. He wasn't the type of guy to ever make someone feel bad. "Listen, there's something I want to talk to you about. Something I wanted to tell you that I haven't told anyone yet. I wanted you to be the first."

"You haven't told anyone? Not even your sister?"

"Of course I told her. I just meant no one else, not even Reagan," he added. The corners of his eyes crinkled as he gave me an impish smile, and that alleviated the pressure on my shoulders. Being the good guy that he was, Hayden pulled me into a hug and I melted into him. A few moments of silence passed. I found the reprieve that I needed, and one that our friendship needed as well.

"I'm sorry I was a dickhead and ignored your calls," I said, my face smashed against his chest.

Hayden tightened his arms around me. "Don't worry about it. We all have our moments. Think we could meet up later?"

I pulled back. "Is everything okay? I have a few moments now if you want to talk."

"It's all good. Very positive actually. I just want your opinion about something."

"Sure. Want to grab dinner later? I probably won't get out until seven-ish."

Hayden nodded. "I'll pick you up around eight."

I smiled. "Perfect."

I wracked my brain trying to figure out what Hayden wanted to talk to me about. Maybe he’d decided to quit dealing to our teammates. But did his sister even know about that side of him? I only had about an hour to really put any kind of effort into it since I’d been focused on practice, but while I got ready for dinner, I came up with nothing. Absolutely nothing, and it drove me crazy.

Taking the elevator down to the lobby, I stepped outside and spotted Hayden's car.

"Okay. Spill," I said the moment I sat in the passenger's seat, throwing a huge grin at him.

Hayden shifted into gear, and chuckled. "Calm down. I'll tell you soon enough."

I turned toward him. "Really? You're going to make me wait? Fine. But can you at least give me a hint?"

He gave me a fleeting look before turning his attention back to the road. "You look nice."

"You do too," I replied quickly. We were both dressed casually, my favorite style. My hair was damp and my face makeup free.

"Where do you want to eat?"

"Anywhere." Another quick response.

"Something fattening?"

I hesitated for a split second and it produced another chuckle from Hayden. "Sure."

"Wow. You'll agree to anything right now if I give you a hint, won't you?"

"Pretty much." I laughed. "You're killing me! Give me something." A giant, contagious smile spread across his face. "See!" I said, pointing at him. "You want to tell me."

/> "Fine," Hayden said, pulling onto the main road. "It involves my gymnastics career."