Allie: So, I feel really bad because it’s Saturday night and you’re probably busy, but Happy is obviously in Texas, on the ice, and I can’t settle Lucky. She’s really, really upset, and when I told her Daddy can’t FaceTime her right now, she asked for you.
I balk, taken aback as I read Allie’s words at least three times.
Me: She asked for me?
Allie: Yeah, she said she wants Hannah.
My heart hitches in my chest, skipping a beat. Lucky asked for me. I know Happy said it’s surprising that she opened up with me so quickly, but the fact that she’s asked for me because her dad isn’t available? I swear I feel tears burn the backs of my eyes.
“Is everything okay?”
I startle, turning to find Fran watching, her face a little fraught with worry.
“Um, I-I…” I’m lost for words because I can’t tell her the truth. I heave a sigh. “Actually no, there’s a huge… thing happening at work. Blowing up. A… a story.” Lies, lies, lies, but judging by Fran’s face she buys every word.
“I need to go to the office for… an emergency meeting.”
“Oh no. I can leave,” Fran says. “Or if you need me to stay with Toasty, I can hang out with him.”
I smile down at Toast Malone, his big head still resting on Fran’s thigh, his eyes only opening to look at me as if to say,Bitch you better not fuck this up for the both of us.
“Would you mind?” I ask. “I’m not sure how long I’ll be…”
“I don’t mind,” Fran assures me with a wave of her hand.
“I owe you one.” I pull her in for a quick hug. “And snacks are in the cupboard above the coffee machine.”
She pulls back, winking at me, and I go back to my phone.
Me: Allie, I can be there in 20.
Allie: OMG, Hannah, you’re a lifesaver.
CHAPTER 26
HANNAH
Allie is clearly flustered when she answers the door, her eyes tired, the messy bun on top of her head half falling out in wisps framing her face.
“Oh my God,” she huffs under her breath, launching herself at me and wrapping me into an unexpected hug. “Thank you so much for this.”
Releasing me, she invites me in, and I step over the threshold, looking around the familiar foyer. “It’s fine, you don’t need to thank me. Is… is she okay?”
“She won’t talk to me,” Allie says, leading me up the stairs. “She’s completely shut down.”
“What started it?”
“We were watching the game, and she saw one of the players get slammed against the glass. And… I think she thought it was her dad.”
“Oh, no. That was Robbie, and he’s totally fine,” I say, remembering the hit. Two Houston players slammed up against him only a few minutes into the first period. Robbie fell to the ice, acting in the way many hockey players do to try to milk the penalty, which worked, the two players being given two minutes each all while Robbie got straight back up and grinned at themas he skated past the box and went on to score a goal during the double power play.
“Yeah, when I tried to tell her that it was number nine and that her dad is number nineteen, she got really upset, and I think she thought I was trying to lie to her, and she’s been up in her room. She won’t let me near her.”
We pause on the landing of the first floor, and I look to the stairs that lead upward, glancing curiously at Allie. “Should I just…” I point at the steps.
She nods. “Please.”
I take a deep breath, removing my jacket and placing it and my purse onto the couch before giving myself a mental pep talk and walking up the stairs.
