Zeke stands up.
“He loves you,” he says, walking toward my door. “He got injured pretty badly during the first round. He said he’s still in a lot of pain and probably shouldn’t play tonight, but I think he’s just dragging it out.”
“Why would he do that?”
“Because the person he’s playing for isn’t there.” Zeke forces a smile. “I’m not telling you what to do, Em. I’m not telling you to take him back, marry him, or even trust anything I’ve told you. But tonight determines if we make it to the semi-finals of the frozen four, and he could use his good luck charm. We all could.”
“Zeke?” My voice stops him as he reaches for the door. “What did you mean when you said that Tanner saw Declan’s interest?”
He smiles at me and shakes his head. “Declan always knew you were special; it just took the rest of us a little longer to catch up.”
And with that, he’s gone, leaving me to question what that even means.
My room looks completely different than it did hours ago when Zeke stopped by. I’d like to say that his words really got to me and caused the change, but the truth is, I would’ve had to get everything in order today anyway. With everything that’s happened, I told my parents I’d come home, at least for the summer. So, since the school is on the way to Cam’s hockey game, they thought they’d pick some of my stuff up on the way.
I don’t know how much they know, but from the last time I talked to my dad, it seemed pretty evident that Cam told them we aren’t exactly on speaking terms right now.
“Ember!” My dad’s voice echoes in our living room before my door swings open. “Hi, sweetheart.”
He pulls me into his arms, and it’s at this exact moment that I’m glad I finally showered.
“Hi, Dad.”
“Is everything packed up?”
“Yeah, just have to pack the big stuff into the car before you hit the road. I’ll bring the rest with me when I come back after finals.
“Are you sure this is what you really want?”
I don’t know if my dad has ever asked me this question. Typically, my mom is in charge of both of their thoughts, which are always more about what she wants than what is best for anyone else.
“I think it’s the best option for both of us. Maybe after the summer, things will cool down between Cam and me.”
“Why didn’t you tell us about Declan at Thanksgiving?” he wonders. “Or Christmas. I told you I always liked the kid.”
“Honestly? I didn’t think you guys would believe me.”
Just then, the person I dread seeing peaks her head through the door.
“What an interesting room,” is the first thing she says. “Have you ever been in your brother’s room? I think maybe while you’re gone this summer, I’ll tell him to come to fix up your room so—”
“I like my room.”
“It’s just so… out there.”
“Well, I like it, and since I have to live here, I think it’s just fine.”
“Ember,” my dad’s voice trails off as he walks toward the end of my dresser, “did you do these?”
I forgot about the painting I’ve been working on for the guys. I’m honestly lucky that Zeke didn’t see it earlier. It’s a painting of all the guys. I thought they could hang it in their living room when I’m done… but now I’m not sure. There’s also one of Brinley… and Tate… I miss them.
I wish I didn’t.
“Yeah.” I shrug. “I’m still a little rusty, but De—”
I don’t even know how to finish that sentence. Declan was one of the reasons I stopped painting two years ago, just for him to become the reason I started painting again.
“I thought you gave up that little hobby of yours.” My mom’s still in the doorway. “I never knew why your therapist thought that’d be a beneficial way to spend your time.”
