Dixie breaks down into giggles. Eli’s jaw drops, his mouth a gaping O. Jude’s eyes bug out of his head, Zoey looks excited, and Winnie looks confused. I want the floor to open up and swallow me.
“Oh, honey, I’m not judging,” my mom whispers. “I know you’re a smart woman and you’ll always make smart choices…and use protection.”
Everyone starts to laugh, and Dixie, who was already laughing, takes it to a new level and snorts. Jude is the only one not laughing. “Who the hell are you dating?”
“Not dating. One date. And it’s none of your business,” I counter.
“One date and your shirt is on backward,” Jude retorts.
“Really? You of all people are going down that road?” Zoey warns him. “Remember how when we met you were on the verge of moving apartments to avoid your hookups?”
“I’m not judging…” he replies with his hands in the air like he’s got a gun pointed at him. He directs his stare at me again. “But Sadie is smarter than me, and I know she doesn’t wear backward shirts for just anyone. So we should meet him. I get final approval on all their serious boyfriends.”
“Glad I made the cut,” Eli pipes up.
“Barely,” Jude kids with a grin.
“You’ll be lucky if you get an invite to my wedding,” I tell my brother.
“We’re talking marriage?” Winnie looks horrified. “Already?”
“No. It was just a random statement.” I sigh. “You people are exhausting.”
“I’m sure it’s not us,” Dixie mutters. “It’s whatever caused you to put your shirt on inside out and backward.”
“I hate you,” I reply.
“I hate you—because that’s my shirt, and now I have to dry-clean it,” she retorts.
I am about to dare her to hold it up under a black light first, but then I see Dr. Staal walking toward us. Mom sees him too, and we both stand. The family follows our lead. I can tell by the expression on his face that it’s the worst possible outcome.
I’m right. He explains Dad has fractured his hip and will need to surgery. He’ll have to stay in the hospital for a while.
“The surgery is fairly routine, but Mr. Braddock’s condition does make it a bit more complicated for both the surgery and the recovery,” Dr. Staal warns. I reach out and take my mom’s hand.
“But he’ll recover, right?” Winnie ask, her voice trembling.
“I think it’ll be a long road, but I’m hopeful, yes,” Dr. Staal says. “Surgery will happen tomorrow morning. I’ll be doing it myself.”
“Thank you,” my mom says as Jude looks over at me. He’s wanting confirmation that Staal is the best option. He’s not going to let anyone but the best work on our dad. I give him a solid nod, because Staal is the best we have in orthopedics and even one of the best in the state.
“You can see him now,” Dr. Staal says. “We’ve moved him up to the fifth floor. Room fifty-eight.”
Everyone walks to the elevators. I pause by the women’s restroom. “I’ll meet you all up there.”
Jude glances at the restroom door. “Fixing your shirt so Dad doesn’t notice too?”
“Shut up! And yes,” I bark back and disappear into the restroom to sounds of my family laughing their dumb asses off.
15
Griffin
Iglance at my phone. It’s been two hours since Sadie’s dad went in for surgery. Is that long enough to fix a hip? I wonder as I put my bag in the back seat next to Charlie’s booster seat and jump into the driver’s seat. The team leaves on a seven-day road trip this afternoon. Management has made the decision to send the entire coaching staff, which is rare, but we’ve been in a losing streak and we’re on the verge of falling out of playoff contention, so they’re pulling out all the stops.
Of course they didn’t tell us until this morning, and so I have to change my schedule with Charlie…which is going to give Lauren fodder for her custody case. Hunter swears it won’t be a big deal and that the case is still bullshit, but I still worry. A lot. I pull up in front of Lauren’s place and don’t see her car in the driveway. I should have called, but if I called she wouldn’t let me come over, and I wanted to say goodbye to Charlie myself. I’m at the point where I wonder if my messages to Charlie via Lauren are getting through.
Despite not seeing her car I head up the path to the front door. I ring the doorbell and wait. I’m there so long I’m positive she’s not home, so I pull my cell out of my pocket and sit on the swinging bench I installed on the porch for Lauren the day she moved in…when we were on better terms and trying to be actual friends. I start to text her, but then suddenly the front door opens and my daughter is standing there grinning with joy.
