“Yeah, of course, I’ll call you later tonight. I have a feeling after practice I’m going to need a nap.”
“Okay.” She steps back and gives me one of those sweet, Ginny smiles. “Feel better.”
35
Ginny
December
I’m sitting at the bar at The Hideout waiting for my friends and brother. Reagan’s the first to show.
“Hey.” I stand to hug her. “Where’s Dakota?”
“She wasn’t done studying for her biology test. She said to tell you she was sorry and that she’d make it up to you.”
“Well, boo. I was hoping she’d come. Adam’s running late and the rest of the guys didn’t feel like going out. It feels like everyone is bailing.” Monday night was a bust after Maverick and Heath got sick, but I was hoping tonight we could all finally hang out.
“Actually, I’m glad I have you alone. I need to talk to you.”
“Okay.” We sit and when the bartender comes over, she orders two shots of RumChata.
“You’re making me nervous, Rea.”
The shots come and she downs one without waiting for me.
I start to chuckle. “Woah, there, it can’t be that—”
“I like your brother.”
Her words hit me slowly, but she doesn’t give me time to respond anyway.
“I’m sorry I lied, but we’d just met, and I didn’t want you to think I was some weirdo or that I was pretending to be your friend because of Adam.”
His name makes it all finally click.
“Your crush, the hockey player, is my brother?”
“Yes, and I’m going to tell him tonight, but I wanted to tell you first.” She eyes the second shot. “Do you need that or do I?”
“I’m not upset. Adam would be lucky to have someone like you, but you can’t tell him tonight.”
“Why not?” Her brown eyes crinkle at the corners as she draws her eyebrows together.
“Because I invited Taryn and she just walked in. I’m sorry. I didn’t know.” As I stand to greet my brother’s girlfriend, I see Reagan down the last shot.
“Hey,” Taryn says tentatively.
“Hi, Taryn,” I say and we hug. “Thanks for coming.”
She laughs lightly. “You didn’t leave me much choice. You said it was life or death.”
“Maybe that was a little dramatic, but it is important.” I glance to either side of me, but there’s nowhere for her to sit.
Reagan hops out of her seat. “Here, you can have mine. I’m going to… go. I just realized I need to be somewhere.”
“Are you sure?” I ask. I feel awful, not that I could have predicted this.
“I’ll call you later.”
Taryn takes a seat and I blow out a long breath. Best to just dive right in. “Whatever my brother did or said… he’s an idiot. He’s going through some things right now, so he’s not to be trusted.”
Her face twists into a surprised expression. “You mean your parents separating?”
“He told you?”
“Yeah, of course. He’s really torn up about it.”
“Exactly. Don’t let him push you away because of it. I think he just needs some time.”
She smiles sweetly. “I agree, but that’s not why we broke up.”
“It’s not?”
“No.” She shakes her head. “It probably was the catalyst, but it wasn’t the reason.”
Well, shit. I guess this is what I get for meddling. “Oh.” I slump in my chair. “You’re sure? You two seemed great together.”
“We are. Your brother is fantastic, and I really like him, but I’m transferring at semester and neither of us really wanted to try to manage a long-distance thing.”
“Oh.” Well, shit. “I didn’t know.”
“I just decided before Thanksgiving break. I got into a really competitive design program at my dream college.” Her face lights up.
“Wow, well, congratulations.”
“Thank you.”
For the next half hour, I listen as she tells me about her plans and the program at her new school. The more we talk, the more I like her and the sadder I am that she’s leaving. We part with a hug and a promise to keep in touch. I don’t know if we actually will, but it’s more than I can say for my relationships with most of Adam’s ex-girlfriends.
I’ve got a bunch of texts from Adam apologizing for not being able to make it. This night is a giant failure.
I call Heath on my way to his apartment, but he doesn’t answer. Since he got sick, he’s been keeping me away for fear I’d catch it, but right now, I’m willing to risk it to lay in his arms.
Noise filters out, laughter and loud voices, as I head up the stairs to their door. I knock twice before walking in. Rhett, Maverick, and Heath are in the living room. All eyes are on the TV and whatever video game they’re playing. Beer cans line the coffee table. It’s far from the scene I was expecting.
When they finally notice me, Maverick and Rhett’s glassy stares and big smiles give me some idea of just how drunk they are. Heath doesn’t look drunk, but I’m still a little irritated that they’re all hanging out together when I tried to plan a night out with all of us.
“Genevieve!” Maverick calls. He’s got a bottle in one hand and a controller in the other. “Come be on my team. They’re kicking my ass.”
Rhett puts his controller down and runs a hand through his dirty blond hair. “You can take my place. I’m out, boys. I need to call Carrie.” He stands and heads to his room, leaving me with Heath and Maverick.
“Need another?” Mav stands, sways, and then walks to the kitchen. He grabs a beer and holds it up.
“No, thanks,” Heath says. He motions me over to him and holds his arms out.
I go to him and climb into his lap. As he wraps his arms around me, I snuggle in close and breathe him in.
“Hey,” I whisper into his jaw. He’s unshaven and I love the way his scruff feels against my smooth skin. “Feeling better?”
“Mhmm.” He places a thumb under my chin and lifts my mouth to
