Owen explains what happened with Ollie nodding and clarifying a few things. Then Owen adds, “Ollie punched Coach Toddy square in the nose.”
“What?” I side-eye Ollie. I notice a faint graze on his knuckles, obviously from earlier, but it’s not the punch that gets me. It’s the image of him, storming in like some avenging angel for Owen, that makes my chest twist in a way it shouldn’t.
“Everything’s fine,” Ollie says, giving my little brother a look.
“Are you in trouble?” I ask, eyes wide.
“Nope! Sheriff Matthew says he didn’t see nothin’,” Owen says proudly.
Oh, thank God. I take a mental note to fix his truck for free next time he brings it in. I’ve always liked the sheriff. Rumor has it he used to take his vehicle over an hour away to get fixed. But when my dad left, he started coming in, and that isn’t lost on me. He didn’t trust Sully but trusts me.
“You’re still working?” Ollie asks, eyebrows pulling together as he looks around the shop like he’s trying to change the subject.
“Yep.” I roll my shoulders. “Almost done.”
“You eat yet?” he asks, his gaze on me.
I shrug and turn back to the engine. “I ate earlier.”
I haven’t eaten since this morning, with the two pieces of stale toast I threw in the toaster and put the last bit of peanut butter on, which I make a mental note to replace at the General Store next time I get groceries.
Owen cuts his eyes at him, as if he’s telling him I’m lying—little traitor.
Ollie’s voice goes serious but firm. “You need to eat.”
“Whatever,” I mutter, grabbing a ratchet to avoid eye contact.
“Why did the school call you and not me?” I ask, suddenly realizing that I didn’t get a call.
Ollie takes a breath like he’s prepping for impact. “Owen called me from the locker room.”
“But you were on shift?” I ask, confused.
“We all went.” Ollie shrugs.
That’s great. The Bridger Falls fire department will show up for my kid at the drop of a hat. They’d roll out in full trucks if he called. And Sully can’t be bothered even to remember he exists.
The rage tastes bitter on my tongue.
“Thank you,” I say softly to Ollie. “For being there.”
I want to say thank you for always being there. For being the best friend I could ever ask for. I want to say so much right now, but I’m so exhausted, and there’s so much I’d want to say if I could find the words.
He looks at me like he doesn’t understand why I’m thanking him at all. “Of course. He called. I’m his emergency contact for a reason. I’ll show up for you both anytime and anywhere.”
That right there… that hits me too deep.
“Oh, hey, and guess what, Poppy? Guess who’s my coach?” Owen smiles proudly.
“Who?” I ask. “And if you say Toddy, I’m gonna throw him off a cliff.”
Owen smirks. “Ollie.”
I snort and look at my best friend. “You’re coaching?”
“Hey! I’m going to be a great coach!” Ollie says.
“Yeah, you will be.” I lean into him, and for a moment it’sjust a hug, full body contact, arms wrapped tight around each other. “Thank you,” I whisper.
