Emma made a face. “I'm so sorry. Of course, you can sleep in here, and Tyler can—”
Penny waved her off when she saw Tyler’s face fall. “It’s fine. I can sleep in Brett’s tent if he’s okay with it.” She looked over, and Brett’s heart didn’t get the memo that this was a sleepover of desperation. “Sean’s right. We both have our own sleeping bags, and it won’t be that different from being at home.”
It was totally different. Penny was going to be inches from him. Lying down. And smelling like shampoo and cinnamon. “You sure?”
She nodded. “As long as you don’t snore.”
“I don’t. At least I didn’t use to.”
Penny’s face split into a nervous smile as she stared at the forlorn tent deflated on the ground. “I’ll give you the verdict in the morning.”
ChapterFifteen
Andrea 6:32pm
I can’t wait to see you!!!
Penny 7:15pm
We only have six hours. How will it ever be enough!?
Andrea 7:29pm
It won’t be. Just accept it now
Penny 8:32pm
When you get a sec, remind me of your flight time and airline. I’ll be there with bells on!
Andrea 8:34pm
No bells. Or signs
Penny 8:34pm
You know you just issued a challenge I can’t back down from
The six ofthem sat around the campfire as dusk deepened into twilight, and Penny pulled on a sweatshirt. Smoke curled into the sky above the crackling fire Tyler had started for them.
She, Kelty, and Sean had just returned from washing the dishes, and her hands were still damp and a little chilled.
Accepting the tent situation had been easy after talking with Brett in the van. She'd been about ready to bow out and go home when she saw it was just going to be the six of them. Since she'd ridden over with Brett in his car, she didn't want to make things complicated and either ask him to drive her home or ask him for his keys. He probably would have given them to her no problem, but it still felt like just enough of a stretch that she stayed put.
Brett had driven for the first time that morning, and though he was in a little discomfort, it had gone just fine. That meant next week he'd be back to work on-site instead of sitting at the kitchen table.
Penny watched the flames dance in front of her and put her feet up on a log to warm her toes. She kept telling herself it was for the best, but the twist in her lower gut every time she thought about Brett being gone all day wasn’t convinced.
Regardless, they wouldn't have to spend so much time together, which would make all of this less confusing. She wouldn’t have to see the ink peeking out under his sleeve, see him twist his hair when he was concentrating, or feel warmth diffuse over her skin every time he looked up with those blue eyes when she entered the room.
Plus, now that she'd already met three of the players she'd be treating, she wasn't as worried about him being home when they came to their appointments.Six weeks.She only had to make it through six weeks. Get more clients, make the money, pay Andrea, and drive back to Vancouver. The rest she could figure out once she was back with family.
Andrea had a layover in Calgary on Monday, which was why she hadn't scheduled any appointments until Tuesday. She'd get to spend the day with her sister. Then she'd work, and that would be another week down.
The fact that she kept feeling a tug to stay in Calgary made her more sure she needed to leave. That was always how it went for her. She was like the needle of a compass always pointing to the path of least resistance. Wouldn’t it be easier to stay in Calgary the rest of the summer? Wouldn’t it be easier to be with someone than to be alone? Wouldn’t it be easier to give in and cross boundaries with Brett?
All of it was a lie, because none of those things would be easier in the long run. Her track record had proven that unequivocally. The hard stuff always landed. Choosing the “easy” only delayed it, and she was sick of stagnating for years at a time waiting for the shoe to drop.
Penny needed to fill the hole in her heart with something other than a reflection. Brett only needed her for PT, and once he was healed, he wouldn’t need her around for anything else. He needed to sort his own life out, and Penny was in the exact same boat. If it took writing on her bathroom mirror, she would force herself to remember it was possible to support each other without tangling their heads, emotions, or especially, their legs, and making everything more complicated.
