7. Kieran
7
KIERAN
W atching Grams deteriorate more and more every day is devastating. But watching Effie fall apart in front of my eyes is even worse.
With Grams, sadly, there is nothing we can do. She is in the best place, with the best care possible. Effie did her research and chose the highest-rated—and most expensive—facility she could find. It was pure luck that it happened to be in driving distance from Grams' home. It wouldn’t have mattered if it were miles away, though, Effie would have made it happen.
But Effie…all I want to do is make it better. I want to wrap her up in bubbles and protect her from all the pain she’s feeling.
If only it would help.
I feel completely useless.
Sure, my presence helps. Or at least, I think it does.
She tells me it does, and I have to hope she’s telling the truth, because other than supplying her with copious amounts of iced coffee and attempting to feed her, I’m at a loss for what else to do.
As Grams gets worse, she refuses to leave her side. It takes everything I have to get her to come home at night.
I fear that if I weren’t here, she’d be living in the chair next to Grams’ bed, and that isn’t good for anyone.
For Effie to be here properly for Grams, she needs to look after herself first.
If only she’d listen…
Grams was awake last night, and although she was struggling, she was lucid. Effie wanted to make the most of it.
Since I’ve arrived, there have been very few times that she’s looked at us both and known who we are. I understand Effie wanting to savor the moment while she could.
But while she might have been lucid, she wasn’t entirely making sense, rambling about how we’ve made all her dreams come true.
As nice as that all was to hear, it was nicer still to see her and Effie interacting. Or at least, it was, until she slipped back to sleep and Effie fought her tears.
She’s trying to stay strong while we’re in Grams’ room, but it’s getting harder and harder as Grams slips away from her.
Every night, she’s been crying herself to sleep.
I feel like I’m losing a little more of my best friend despite the fact she’s right there in my arms, sobbing into my chest.
As always, I’m up with the sun. As quietly and as gently as I can, I roll out of bed and pad across Effie’s room.
When I came here, I didn’t have any intention of sleeping in my best friend’s bed. But every night, she’s been so sad I haven’t been able to leave her.
Even now, knowing that she could wake up alone pains me.
I just can’t stay lying there, staring up at the ceiling.
I have to move. My body and my mind crave it.
It can probably be said for most professional athletes—or at least it is for those that I know. Exercise is our therapy.
Everything feels wrong if I don’t get up and instantly start moving. Get my blood pumping and empty my mind.
After freshening up, I pull on a fresh t-shirt, some shorts, and my sneakers before popping my earbuds in. Leaving a note for Effie in case she wakes—not that I don’t expect her to know where I am; she’s not in the best frame of mind right now—I slip out of the house.
The morning air is fresh, but I welcome the chill on my skin as I take off down the street.
The sun is rising over the horizon, casting this town in a soft orange glow. It’s pretty, and I can totally understand why Grams made this place her home.
She had the means to move anywhere in the world. Effie’s parents might be selfish assholes, but they show they care with money. It’s the easiest option and a less risky way of showing affection when you’re rich beyond your wildest dreams, I guess.
But she never moved. Something tells me she never spent the money, either. I think in the coming weeks, Effie will probably discover that Grams is sitting on a fortune. Not that Effie has any interest in her parents’ wealth either. Much like me, she’d rather earn her own money and live her own life than be tied to them and their unrealistic expectations for her.
There is a job and life ready for her should she decide to pick up the phone and offer up her services. Not her services as a daughter; however, they’ve made it more than clear over the years that they’re not interested in that.
My feet hit the asphalt harder as I push myself to max speed. Anyone watching would probably think I’m running from something.
I guess I am.
Expectations.
All my life, Dad expected me to follow the path he wanted for me. Just like Effie’s parents did for her. It worked with my older brothers, Kingston and Kian. They toed the line and are now CEO and CFO of Callahan Enterprises.
Good for them. They both deserve it. They’ve worked their asses off to get where they have, and they’re kickass at their jobs.
That life, though…from a very early age, I just knew it wasn’t for me.
Sitting in an office all day, board meetings, managing people and money and projects, and whatever else they spend their time doing…it sounds awful.
From the first moment I picked up a football, there was only one thing I could picture myself doing.
And it wasn’t just a want. It was a need.
I need to play. I need to push myself physically.
It took a long time for Dad to come around to the idea.
He had my place at Callahan Enterprises mapped out. He noticed from day one that I was the creative one of his three sons, and he was pushing me toward marketing. But it was never going to happen. No matter how hard he pushed, I pushed back more until he had little choice but to let me do my own thing.
He is proud of what I’ve achieved, sure. He comes to a lot of games every season and supports me. I’m grateful for it, because I know how easily he could have turned his back on me for not falling into line.
Of course, it helped when I started my foundation. Dad saw that as me putting one step into the corporate world and backed me all the way with Callahan Enterprises being one of the KC Foundation’s biggest sponsors.
Football will always have my heart. It’ll always be my life. But the Foundation allows me to give back. It helps me to support those who aren’t as fortunate in life and give them a chance to play professionally.
I’ve lost count now of the number of players we’ve helped to secure a future. It’s incredibly rewarding, and I can’t wait to see some of those names filter into the NFL in the years to come.
I know Effie feels the same. It’s why she stood right by my side when I started the foundation. She’s my wingwoman and will be forever.
We miss her at the office. The place isn’t the same without her smiling face. But it’s only temporary. She’ll be back; there are just more important places for her to be right now. And when she does return, I have no doubt that the KC family will pull her in with open arms and make her feel like she’s returned to a safe and loving place.
I keep running until my legs and lungs are screaming, but I welcome the pain.
Despite the cool morning air, sweat covers my skin, my shirt sticking to my body.
I pass a few people, mostly other runners, but no one pays me any attention and I’m thankfully able to lose myself without interruption.
Before long, I turn back on a loop that I used to do as a teenager when I stayed here with Effie and make my journey back to the house.
When I’m only a few minutes away, I slow to a stop as I approach one of Effie’s favorite coffee shops.
I wipe my sweaty face with my arm, hoping that it makes me look a little more acceptable, before pulling the door open and walking inside.
There are a few people sitting around, but thankfully, there isn’t a line, and I walk right up to the counter, ordering two of Effie’s favorite and a box full of pastries.
I’ve woken her up with the scent of cinnamon buns a couple of times this week. I love seeing her smiling face when she comes to find me—and the buns. But as much as I need something to keep my hands and brain active, I don’t need to be baking every single morning. And I’m not sure croissants are in my repertoire yet.
I rest my ass against one of the stools at the counter as I wait for my order and pull my cell from the safety of the zip pocket on my shorts.
I find a stream of notifications from several apps, but it’s the message notification from my brother that I open.
King, Kian, and I are pretty close. As close as we can be when our lives are dominated by our careers.
Kian: About fucking time, Bro. Kinda wish you’d told me instead of letting me find out online.
“The fuck?” I whisper before clicking the link that follows his message.
The website opens and my stomach lurches into my throat at the words that are staring back at me.
Chiefs star, Kieran Callahan, to marry his childhood best friend in a small, romantic ceremony.
Effie Campbell’s grandmother is delighted about the union that she’s been dreaming of since the two of them met at school.
“It’s been so wonderful seeing Nora so excited for her granddaughter. Effie is a regular at our care home, and we’re all thrilled for her,” Laura, Nora’s nurse, explains. “Her happiness is infectious, and her ring is beautiful.”