Bailey: I’m all for you pulling this stuff with Lily, but her situation is different than mine.
Sutton: Lily went back to school so it has to be you for now. And I’m not even sorry about it.
Bailey: Give it up. Wes and I are neighbors, we see enough of each other without needing to be caught up in whatever scheme you two have cooked up.
Sutton: Whatever you say. *smiling emoji*
Bailey: I mean it.
Sutton: Of course you do. *smiling emoji*
Bailey: Seriously, Sutton.
Sutton: See you when we get back. *smiling emoji*
Tossing my phone down, I shake my head, knowing she’s brainstorming some sort of plan. Little does she know that I need to stay away from Wes, because I don’t trust myself around him anymore.
I was able to push away the memories of how he feels for years, but now that we’re playing this game with each other, I can’t stay away. Even though I should. I don’t want a relationship. I doubt he does either. And sleeping together while we’re just neighbors seems like a recipe for disaster.
There’s just no way this ends well for either of us, which is why it should stop right now before anything else can happen. Before I can lose any more of myself with him. He’s already seen pieces of me that others haven’t.
I let out an annoyed sound and grabbed the remote to turn on the TV to drown out my runaway thoughts before I can spiral too far.
I forgot the last thing I had on was the sports channel. Sometimes I watch to see if there are any updates in the hockey world. The season is about a month out from starting. My attention is pulled to Brent’s headshot being shown with the Denver Dragons team logo next to him. I turn up the volume, and am a little surprised to hear what’s being said.
“Brent Collee, the captain of the Denver Dragons, has announced his retirement going into this season. Who do you think will take over as captain or will the Dragons go without one for now?”
Another voice chimes in while the camera shows four men sitting at a giant glass desk. “Do you think they will ask Matt McQuaid? His temper has been better in recent seasons.”
“Hardly,” another man scoffs. “McQuaid doesn’t have what it takes to be team captain. They might consider Vince Dumont or Charlie Mann for the spot.”
“Mann and Dumont aren’t captain material either. What about Wheeler? He’s shown improvement both in his gameplay and attitude.”
The first man speaks again. “I think no matter who they choose, it will be an adjustment. They’re losing a great captain and a great player.”
I mute the TV while they continue to talk about the future of my brother’s, soon to be previous, hockey team. It’s weird, even though I don’t really talk to him, but the thought of him not playing hockey isn’t something I’ve ever thought about.
He’s Brent. My big brother, the hockey player. And now he’sjust not going to anymore? Sometimes I would find myself turning on his games for a glimpse of him. Although hockey is so fast paced and it’s not like I could really see him, it was enough to know he was okay. As ridiculous as it seems, that was enough to justify not needing to reach out and check in on him.
Brynn texts me enough for me to know she’s okay.
Bryson is probably out screwing half the population and updates his social media enough for me to know he’s okay.
Brandon lost his battle with addiction, and none of us talk about it. We didn’t even have a funeral for him.
I chew on my bottom lip, staring at my phone laying face down next to me. I debate for several minutes, but finally pick it up and type out a quick text to my brother.
Bailey: You’re retiring?
Part of me doesn’t expect him to reply, especially not so quickly, but my phone dings in my hand and I fumble with it for a second, almost dropping it on the floor as I open the text.
Brent: I am. It’s time since there’s about to be two babies around. I don’t want to be on the road as much.
Brent: I’m surprised you heard.
Bailey: Apparently losing you from the team is a pretty big deal.
Brent: They’ll be fine. How’re you doing?
