I retreat to the kitchen to get us some bottled water and a box of tissues. We clean ourselves up in contented silence. Everything is lighter. I’m still tired, but the sense of impending doom that I’ve had all day has subsided. I love my brother. More than I even thought possible. He’s a pretty impressive guy, and maybe it’s time I recognize that.
“Have you eaten? Cause I’m starving.” I smile because Walker is always hungry.
“Actually, no. I haven’t had time to get dinner going.” I tell him.
“Let’s order something. It’s on me.”
“I’m tired enough to let you pay.” I say, leaning back against the soft cushions of my couch.
“How ya doing? We good?”
“Yeah. We’re good.”
“It all feels less heavy, ya know? Like when I finish taking off all my equipment.”
“We’re gonna be okay, Walk.”
“I know, but thanks for saying it.” He nudges me with his shoulder, and I roll my eyes with a smile.
The takeout arrives. Walker got it from my favorite Thai restaurant. He even remembered my favorite dish. Spicy chicken pad Thai with extra peanuts, because I love the crunchiness.
As I sit and savor my noodles, we talk about hockey and the team, which is more entertaining now that we associate with the same people. My brother is a funny guy, and his observations of his teammates are spot-on and hilarious. We talk about the studio and Ace. It’s refreshing because for once I’m not looking at him through the lens of my resentment. We don’t talk about Liam, and that’s okay for now. There’s been enough emotional turmoil for one evening.
The heaviness of everything unspoken is dissipating and allowing us to connect on a deeper level. Not only does it feelgood, but our relationship feels safe to me in a way it never has before.
After dinner, we lay back on the couch, sleepy and depleted from the events of the day. Even his nasty burping doesn’t annoy me like usual.
“I’m so full. Why did you let me eat all that? I have a food baby.” Walker groans, patting his stomach.
“You are a baby. You’ll burn it off tomorrow.” But there’s no heat to my teasing.
“Oh, I see how it is.”
I smirk at him. I’m just as full, and he’s actually moving better than I am.
“I’ll pay you to take the dog out.” I’m not sure I can get up off this couch right now, and Ace is giving me his look.
“Fine. But you’re gonna owe me.”
“Whatever. I’m fairly certain you owe me.”
He takes Ace down to the park across the street, and I sigh. My eyes drift shut, and I’m almost asleep by the time they get back. The slam of the front door jolts me awake. My body is heavy as I pull myself upright. I should at least sleep in a bed. God, I’m so tired.
“I think Ace is starting to like me better.” Walker says as he lets him off his leash. Ace cocks his head at Walker, who gives him a treat.
“Good boy, Ace. You love your Uncle Walker, don’t you?”
“Okay, dork. You need to go home. I need sleep. You can woo my dog another time.”
“What no more sibling bonding? I had an entire evening planned! We were gonna do face masks, drink wine, and talk about who has the best hair.”
“Oh my God, leave before I hit you. Also, I totally have the best hair.”
“Lies. My hair is sick.” But he gives me a hug, squeezing me tight and twirling me around like he always does, before setting me back on my feet next to the bed. “I love you, sis. Tonight was good for us, Mads. Really good.”
“Yeah, it really was. I love you too, Walk. I’ll try and be better about telling you that.”
“Thanks, Maddie bear, I’ll lock up if you just want to crash.” I give him a grateful look as I flop onto the bed with a contented groan.
