Irritated, she unbuckled her seatbelt. “Killed?”
“Well, you had a Tinder date today. And since you ignored my messages…”
Right. She actually had planned a date with someone before canceling it to help Lucas. “I’m still alive, Dax.”
“I see. So, how was the date?”
“It was…surprising.”
“How?”
“Well, things happened that I didn’t expect,” she said, chuckling softly.
“Oh God, do I want you to stop talking?”
Yes. He did. “You asked!”
He sighed. “So, you had…a nice evening? Without studying? Without working? Just…living?”
She smiled and locked the car. “Yes.” Because that was what it felt like. “How about you?”
“Lucy forced me to watch a romantic movie.”
“And by forced, you mean asked?”
“Yes. As I said,” he replied, irritated. “How do you like the job so far? You haven’t said much about it.”
“Because you all just kept asking: Why are you using Tinder, Anna?” she said ruefully.
“I’m asking now.”
She smiled. “I love it. It’s fun to have so many new challenges. I’m looking forward to traveling next week. I also like seeing you all so often, even if you’re driving me a little crazy.”
“Hmm.” Dax paused before continuing grumpily, “Lucy thinks we’re overprotective.”
Understatement of the century. “And as always, Lucy is right.”
He sighed heavily before saying quietly, somberly, “We just want you to be happy, Anna.”
“I know that,” she murmured, her heart heavy. “And I appreciate you looking out for me.” She understood them better now, since Lucas’ speech. “But, Dax…” Hesitantly, she opened the building’s front door and climbed the steps. “You know you don’t have to feel guilty, right? About our past? For me having to mediate between you for so long…”
A stubborn silence fell on the other end before he replied, “We’ve put a lot on your shoulders these last few years.”
“That’s okay. You’ve been burdening yourselves with problems my whole life. And I brought most of it on myself. My education, caring for Mom until the end… That wasn’t your responsibility.”
“We ran away to play hockey, Anna.”
Shaking her head, she unlocked her apartment and leaned against the door. “No. Neither of you ran away. I love that you pursued your dreams. I truly do. I don’t regret anything. You should stop hoarding all that responsibility. Everyone says siblings are better at sharing!”
Her brother laughed softly. “Okay. We’ll try. Did you get home safely?”
“Yes. I’m going to go to sleep now. So, I’ll see you tomorrow after you’ve beaten the Arizona Wolves.”
“Oh, no doubt about it, as long as Moreau pulls himself together. He was rather distracted at practice today.”
She smiled as a flutter settled in her chest. “Hmm. Really?”
“Yes. But who knows what’s going on in the guy’s private life. He’s a mystery.”
