Whenever her sisters had car trouble, they called her. Like they expected her to know why their cars weren't working. Like they expected her to drop everything and rush over to wait with them until the auto club or a tow truck arrived, which she always did if they were stuck somewhere alone.
Whenever they needed anything, she was their first call. She didn't mind doing things for them, but at times, she wished they'd take some personal responsibility. After all, she had been younger than Lauren when all the parental duties had fallen onto her shoulders. She wished for someone she could lean on, too.
Liam's face filled her mind. He would do anything for his friends. She liked to think they were growing close enough where she could count on him if she needed to. She already knew she'd do anything for him.
She dialed his number. He was probably in the middle of his physical therapy appointment, but maybe he could pick her up after he'd finished.
The call went to voice mail. She smiled at his voice and the recording and kept her voice light, breezy, and free of the disappointment weighing down her stomach. "Hey, I need a ride. I'm stuck at an auto shop near the coffee place we went to last weekend. My car got a flat and won't be ready until sometime tomorrow."
Fifteen minutes later, just as she'd resigned herself to calling a cab, her phone pinged with a text. Hoping for Liam or one of her sisters, she was surprised by Savanna's name.
Savanna: Hey, are you still waiting at the auto shop?
Claire: Yep. Sorry I had to cancel on you.
Savanna: No worries. The spa will let us reschedule our appointments. Send me the address. I'll pick you up.
Surprise and gratitude filled her. Claire sent the address and a series of happy face emojis.
When Savanna arrived, she waved off Claire's thanks and insisted on stopping to treat Claire to coffee, an iced concoction drizzled with chocolate in a colorful coffee cup print that they sipped at an outside table under a large white umbrella.
Savanna gestured at her car. "Five years ago, I was on my way home from a fundraiser and my engine seized. I was without my car for over a week. One of the guys I used to work with had lived sort of near me and gave me a ride to and from the office. I gave him money for gas and bought him lunch all that week. When I got my car back, he sent me an email, like a bill if you can believe it, charging me for the wear and tear of having an extra person in his car. I was shocked. Any time after that, I either rented a car or borrowed my parents' spare. At least they don't charge crazy, made-up fees."
Claire rolled her eyes. "What an ass. That's too awful. But I'll give you gas money."
Savanna shot her a narrowed glance over her cup. "No. That is not the reason I told you the story. The point was that it's nice to have someone there when you need it, even if they are a little anal about their cars. My parents drive me crazy a lot, but it is nice knowing that no matter what, they'll always be there."
"I didn't really have that. My dad always worked a lot. He would help with something if he could, and if I needed something, he'd make sure I got it, but I had to figure a lot of things out on my own. And then my sisters turned to me. I can't believe none of them called me back today. They're all home on summer vacation." The muscles around her heart tugged. She hadn't realized how much their lack of concern bothered her until she'd said it. She shrugged and smiled. "I'm glad you came."
Savanna tapped her cup against Claire's. "Of course. What are friends for?"
LIAM
PHYSICAL THERAPY WASN't easy, then again, Liam hadn't expected it to be. But he hadn't counted on how much things would hurt. He'd been working hard, sessions three times a week for the past two weeks, in addition to doing the exercises three times a day at home, and was beginning to see some progress along with the diminished aches and swelling.
After ninety minutes of stretching and strength-building exercises, followed by time on the treadmill, he sighed in relief at his ten minutes with an ice pack.
Usually, he worked out alone with the physical therapist in one of the stadium's training rooms. But today, Dom, Slade, and Adam occupied the room with him. Dom and Adam were getting in some preventative care with one of the trainers and Slade had tagged along because they were going to lunch afterward. Having his buddies around him made everything easier.
Slade sat in a chair near the training table, playing with his phone. "Hey, Li, I found a new ring tone to use just for you. Call me so you can hear it."
Liam felt the pocket of his shorts. "I left my phone in the car. Play it from yours."
Slade held up his phone and menacing cello music filled the room.
Liam burst out laughing. "Dude, really? The theme for Jaws?"
"Funny, right?" Slade looked proud of himself.
"It's great."
It was great. He was on his way to fully regaining his job as Fin, attacking his recovery the way a shark attacked its prey.
He left PT sore but energized and rode with Slade to the restaurant, a cafe they frequented with a discrete wait staff and a large selection of beer.
He waited until they were served and then looked at Adam and Dom. "Since PT is going so well, I think I'll be close to one hundred percent by the All-Star game. I can probably go back to watching your dogs during road trips then too. I miss the
