“What do you mean?”
“I mean that I've read enough business management books to know this is exactly what all the experts are trying to encourage people to do. Here there’s this free program that's set up to walk you through it. So why isn't everyone going to AA meetings?”
Brett chuckled. “Only took three weeks for you to become an advocate, eh? This is like honey crullers all over again.”
“That only took one time, and I will convert you.” He flashed an arrogant smile. “Everyone needs to eat a honey cruller, and I think everyone needs to hear this.”
“I agree, sans the geriatric donut,” he quipped. Tyler laughed, and Brett leaned back against the seat. “I don't know why we all believed that we didn't need any help to become the best versions of ourselves.”
“Yeah, I don't think we were ever meant to do this alone.” Tyler's hands gripped tighter on the steering wheel, and a pang of understanding hit Brett's stomach. Tyler's dad had passed away at almost the same time that Brett got injured. His mom had passed away years before that.
Now he had Emma, but he didn't have any siblings or close family like Brett did. It seemed unfair. Here Brett sat with his immediate family still in his life when he'd been hell-bent on ruining those relationships for ten years. Tyler had made all the right choices and didn't get to enjoy the lasting relationships.
Brett cleared his throat. “You don't ever have to do this alone, bud. I'll always be here for you. The team will always be here for you.”
Tyler nodded. “I know that.”
They dropped the items at the donation center and headed over to Sean and Kelty’s for Sunday Supper. Brett's phone buzzed in his pocket as they turned onto their block. He pulled it out and saw a notification from the hockey board he'd posted on earlier. “Huh.”
“What is it?” Tyler asked.
“Looks like Penny has her first patient.”
Tyler’s eyes lit up. “Someone commented on your post?”
“Oh, someone commented all right,” Brett muttered. Tyler put the car in park. “Guess who had the balls to pipe up that he needs PT for a rotator cuff tear?”
Tyler cursed under his breath. “Please tell me you didn’t post Penny’s number.”
“I posted it like a slapshot in the dark, bud.”
ChapterThirteen
Brett 10:00pm
You feeling okay about tomorrow?
Penny 10:05pm
Slightly bridge jumpy
Brett 10:06pm
If you need help putting anything else up in the garage, let me know
Penny 10:06pm
No, it’s all good. Thank you, though
Brett 10:07pm
I’ve got dinner tomorrow night
Penny 10:10pm
Better be something fancy
Brett 10:12pm
