Total pages in book: 121
Estimated words: 115577 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 578(@200wpm)___ 462(@250wpm)___ 385(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 115577 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 578(@200wpm)___ 462(@250wpm)___ 385(@300wpm)
That was Mom now. The second the words were out of Dad’s mouth, she was on her phone, her brows pinched and mouth in a tight line. Maybe she was looking at her own calendar. Maybe she was wondering how much of a pain it would be to change flights. Maybe she was looking up rental houses where the two bedrooms were spaced out enough, where there was enough to do nearby that she and Dad could get away when they needed to.
They didn’t actually want to stay.
It was all out of obligation — parental guilt.
Just like always.
I swallowed, readying myself to perform as I picked at my nail polish and shook my head. “No, Dad, don’t do that. You guys need to get back to the city.”
“We can move things around,” Dad said, but I already heard it, the way he was leaving it open for me to keep arguing, to convince him.
“It’s really not necessary. I’m glad you came and I appreciate it, but you don’t need to wreck your calendars for this.” I gestured to my arm. “I’ll be fine.”
Mom and Dad shared a look — the Huxley Pause. They were having a whole conversation inside that look.
My stomach roiled.
“Honey, I think it might be nice to be surrounded by family right now,” Mom tried gently, but she’d already tucked her phone away, like she knew she didn’t need to change anything. I thought I saw the relief in her eyes, but didn’t trust my senses enough to be sure.
“I will be,” I said, and this time my smile was better acted. “I’ve got my teammates.”
As if I’d cued her, Darcy perked up from where she’d been in our kitchen brewing a pot of tea for all of us. She was still in her hair and makeup from the game. So was I.
For the last time.
An anchor settled deep in my gut at the thought, tears stinging my eyes.
“Of course,” Darcy said, bounding over to me with a smile. She looped her arm through my good one and rested her hand on top of mine. “We’ve got her. She will be well taken care of. And the team trainers said they’d be checking in on her, too.”
I nodded, bile in my throat as I managed another smile. “See? All good. I know you guys need to get back. I mean, it’s why you flew in this morning and have red eye tickets tonight, right?” I swallowed the hurt in that statement, that they’d flown all this way but hadn’t even committed to one full night in town.
They didn’t want to have to pretend any longer than I did.
“I’m sure there’s a lot waiting for you when you get back. And I’m okay. Really,” I promised.
Mom sighed, her hand resting on my father’s shoulder. “Well… all right. If you really think so.”
I nodded. “I do. It’s all good. You can still make your flight if you head to the airport soon.”
Mom was already in action, but Dad stayed put, his eyes searching mine. He looked like he wanted to say more but didn’t know what.
Me either, Dad.
After a long moment, he tried a smile again, but it was weak. “We’re just a call away.”
“I know.”
He paused, like he wasn’t sure I did know it, before he stood and went to help Mom gather their belongings.
It took less than twenty minutes for them to be out the door, a kiss from each of them on my forehead and a promise that they’d check in tomorrow.
Then it was just me and Darcy.
“Don’t,” I begged her as soon as the silence settled over us. I was already shaking my head, biting back tears, trying to swallow past the lump in my throat. I didn’t know what I was asking her not to do. Maybe make any sudden movements, since I felt as fragile as a house of cards.
“I won’t,” she promised, laying her head on my shoulder.
My phone buzzed again from the kitchen island. It’d been buzzing since the game ended. There were missed calls from Claire, texts from Marcus, social media tags of well wishes from other members on the team.
And a string of texts from Braden.
“Do you want your phone?” Darcy asked.
I nodded, though I wasn’t sure I actually did. When she handed it to me, she disappeared down the hall in the name of taking off her makeup and changing her clothes. She promised she’d be back to help me do the same just as I swiped past my lock screen and tapped into my messages.
He was right there at the top.
You okay?
What happened?
Emily. Answer me.
Did you go to the hospital?
Game’s over. Tell me where I can go to see you.
Just overheard Claire. She said you’re home. Are you home?
I’m coming.
That last one had just come through.
Without thinking, I typed with my left hand, slow and clunky, and sent one word.