We told the girls to get a flight that would connect with ours arriving at the airport. Sully and I are waiting at baggage claim when we spot them, giggling together, dressed in oversized sweaters, each rolling a suitcase behind them that's seen better days.
"Ember!" I call out.
Her face lights up when she sees me as she launches herself at me. I catch her in a bear hug, lifting her off the ground.
"Hey, Em. Missed you." She hugs me tightly. It's been too long. I didn't realize how much I needed this.
"Missed you more."
She pulls back, studying my face with those eyes that are exactly like mine. "You look exhausted. Are you sleeping?"
"Why does everyone keep asking me that?"
"Because you look like you haven't slept in a month." She pokes my chest. "What's going on with you?"
"Nothing. Just busy with the season."
She narrows her eyes but doesn't push.Yet. I know my sister. She'll circle back when I least expect it.
"Cassidy." I hug Sully's sister. "It's good to see you."
"You look like shit."
"That's because he's hiding a secret," Sully adds.
"Secret?" Ember turns and looks at me.
"Ignore him. Anyway, I thought Kevin and Trevor were coming."
The girls look at each other sadly. "There was an emergency with one of the homes, and ... they didn't want to ask the guys to work the holidays. So, they are dealing with it themselves," Ember explains.
"It's been forever since just the four of us have hung out," Cassidy adds.
"This is true. I mean, you're the ones who got married and turned boring," Sully adds.
"And you're the ones who got famous and left us," Ember throws back at him.
"Anyway, I'm exhausted. I need a shower." Cassidy moans.
"Come on. The car is waiting outside for us." Sully takes her luggage, and I do the same for my sister. It's so good to see her. They are the reason Sully and I became best friends in youth hockey. No one understood what it was like to have a twin sister and how annoying they were. Once we found out we weretwins with sisters, that was it. Friends for life. Then, when we introduced our sisters, it was instant too.
It's just like old times.
The car drops us at my building, and I help the girls with their bags.
"God, it's good to be back here," Ember says as we walk through the lobby. "I've missed this city."
"Same," Cassidy agrees. "Wisconsin is great, but it's not exactly ... this."
Sully hits the elevator button. "Thanks again for letting Cass stay here, man. I owe you one."
"Of course. I've got four bedrooms. No point in her sleeping on your couch when I've got space."
"His couch is terrible," Cassidy adds. "Last time I stayed there, my back hurt for a week."
"It's not that bad," Sully mutters.
"It's pretty bad," Ember confirms.
