“Yeah, I’ll try and give you an answer before that.” I shook my head as Webber skated towards me. “I’ll call you back as soon as I have an answer.”
I hung up before Webber came too close. My heart raced as I thought about what had just happened. A ping alerted me of a text and I glanced at it. My heart twisted when I saw it was my sister.
Melanie: I miss you. I hope you’re doing ok.
“Hey,” he said, a little out of breath.
“You about done?” I tried to keep my voice neutral.
“Yeah, I’m cold as hell,” he chuckled, looking adorable with his red nose and cheeks.
“Great, get your ass out before you give me a heart attack,” I said playfully, hoping to mask the nervousness I was feeling.
I know I hadn’t done anything yet, but I felt like I had betrayed Webber and Jude by taking that call, but staying put wasn’t me.
“Yes sir,” Webber said, and I forced myself to smile.
He got off the lake as I helped him get his boots on so I didn’t have to look at him, too afraid he would see the betrayal on my face.
“Thanks, Daddy,” he said, as I helped him up.
I rolled my eyes at him, but he got me to finally smile.
“Come on, get your ass moving,” I said, slapping his behind. “I’m starving.”
“Okay,” he chuckled. “Hey, I was wondering if you'd like to come to a college hockey game next week.”
“Sure, just tell me when and where.” I grabbed his hand as we started walking back to the cabin.
“OK, I’d like you and Jude to see the kids, I?—”
He stayed silent for a moment when I looked over at him to make sure he was ok. He had a small smile on his face.
“They are pretty cool, and I think they have come pretty far since I first met them. I think it would be cool to see them play,” he said, sounding nervous.
“You’ve gone to see them a few times?” I asked, helping him over a log.
“Yeah, I see improvement and I think it would be awesome to see them in a game,” he said. “During practices, I can almost picture myself working as a coach and I know it's stupid.”
“Nah, Peaches, it's not,” I said, pulling him to me where I was able to see that adorable blush a little better. “If it's something you want, maybe you should ask.”
He shrugged, looking at his feet. “They have been interviewing coaches.”
“Hey, look at me.” I pushed his chin up to look at me. “Put your hat in the ring. You won’t know if you don’t try.”
He blushed again. “Ok, but if I do, you have to try to come to my games, cheer me on as coach.”
“You got it, Peaches,” I said, kissing his forehead.
We continued to walk back to the cabin as my stomach soured. If I left, I wouldn’t be able to support him, but who knew how long this was going to last. Maybe it was best to cut and run now, even if everything in me wanted to stay. Sam was still a free agent, and he could leave at any moment. If that happened, we didn’t know where he would go. Would he still want us? Sam and Jude had the power to destroy me, and I didn’t know if I'd be able to survive another heartache.
23
jude
Being in the same space with all of my siblings was one of the best feelings in the world. I never knew how much I missed our non-existent relationship. Now that we saw each other a few times a year, I couldn’t imagine a life without them.
“Is it just me, or is Forest getting more handsome?” Camila, my brother Luke’s wife, asked their girlfriend Genevieve.
