I dart a look at Dad in disbelief when he cheers for Penn State scoring the first goal.
Dad chuckles. “I still root for my alma mater.”
“I hope you like losing.” I smirk, getting into the game as Heston fires back with a lighting-quick play. “Heston is taking this. They’re going to the championships again.”
It’s a tense game. No one’s able to stay ahead for long. It comes down to a play during overtime.
Easton—no, Lainey’s brother has the puck now. He passes it back to Easton.
I jump to my feet clutching a pillow to my chest, eyes wide. The players move so fast, the camera has trouble keeping up with them. It’s so different from watching in person.
I miss the moment they score, but the lamp lights up and they’re going wild with their arms in the air.
They did it. Heston won.
Dad gets up from his armchair with a resigned sigh. He opens his arms and I fall against him with a giddy noise.
“Your boyfriend dusted my school.”
Laughter bubbles out of me. “Yeah, he did.”
He doesn’t let go, hugging me tighter. I sense he needs a minute and return it. The last week since I got home has been like this. For the most part he holds it together, but at random moments his emotions unravel whenever he remembers something he’ll miss about Grandpa. I understand, going through the same bouts when I see something that reminds me of him.
“Love you, sweetie,” he utters hoarsely.
“Love you too, Dad.”
When I pull back, I catch a glimpse of Easton on TV, helmet off, grinning that silly big grin that makes my heart beat faster, laughing at the center of his teammates jostling him in celebration.
More than anything, I want to be with him right now. I can picture his ecstatic laughter and it makes me want to be there for him, to support him and his team the way he’s supported me.
I can’t stay at home frozen in time forever, missing Grandpa. The world won’t stand still. At some point, we have to go on even though he’s not with us anymore.
It’s time for me to face that sometimes we plan our life out, but one small thing can make it all fall apart. But it doesn’t change the fact Grandpa is proud of me no matter what.
He might not be with me, he might not be here to call up whenever I want to talk. I close my eyes, feeling how much he loved me in all the memories of growing up with an amazing grandfather like him.
Grandpa knows how important it was to me to graduate this semester. I’m not giving up on that goal. I’ve put three years ofhard work into this degree and I want to see it through to the end.
I was so afraid of losing him. It’s the most difficult thing I’ve ever experienced.
But Easton’s shown me that even though loss is inevitable, it doesn’t mean there isn’t love to help heal the broken pieces of my heart.
“Where’s Ryan?” I ask.
“Upstairs, I think. I’m surprised he didn’t watch the game with us.”
I cover my smile with my fingers. “When I asked earlier he told me he didn’t want to watch Easton’s team since they beat Elmwood.”
I find Ryan in his room, chin propped in his hand while a show plays on his laptop. I lean in the doorway.
“Hey. Can you do me a favor tomorrow?”
“What?”
“Give me a ride back to Heston Lake?”
He sighs, then nods. “You’re ready to go back?”
