Ember hasn’t talked to us in weeks. Honestly, it feels weird coming to Greystone without her. It has become a tradition of sorts over the last several months. Now, every day, Brinley and I come here to meet Maia, even though we know Ember isn’t going to be here waiting for us.
“I don’t blame her for needing time to feel all of her feelings, but I hate that she’s taking what happened with Declan and holding it against the rest of us,” Brinley sighs. “I didn’t even know about what really happened until Declan finally opened up about it.”
“I know this sucks,” Alex rests a hand on Brinley’s shoulder, “but she probably doesn’t know how to feel about everything that happened.”
Brinley reaches up, her hand meeting his, “I get that. But if she would just talk to us, she would know we weren’t involved in it in any way.”
She gives his hands a squeeze before hers falls back down to the table, and his hand rubs comforting circles on her back.
There’s no way something isn’t going on between them. They’d been flirty before; she even told us they’d kissed, but she told him she wasn’t ready for anything like that. However, the last few times I’ve seen them together, they’ve screamed couple.
“Brin, I agree with you, I do. But you also have to think about the fact that Ember fell in love with your brother just to find out he was keeping something from her the whole time. As much as she probably wants to trust that we were friends with her for the right reasons, it’s probably hard to do that right now.” I give her a sad smile, and she taps the table with her nails.
“I just don’t know why she’d think we would hide something like that from her. We’re her best friends. If I knew the truth about that night and how much it haunted her, I would’ve told her. Not to hurt my brother but to protect my friend.”
“She’ll come around eventually, guys. And I’ll keep trying to get through to her. I mean, she doesn’t even know I went and chewed out your brother after everything that happened.” Maia isn’t showing it, but I can see the sadness in her eyes.
I don’t blame Ember for wanting space from everyone after what happened, but she knows Maia had nothing to do with it. I can’t imagine my best friend not leaning on me when they needed me the most.
Or maybe I can.
It wasn’t long ago that Fletcher and I weren’t leaning on each other when we should’ve been.
“Can we talk about something else, please?” Brin sits up a little taller. “Like this game we have in a couple of days.”
“Fletcher has been stressing out about the game big time,” I add. “He’s barely sleeping because of it.”
I fail to mention that I help calm his nerves by having sex with him any chance we get.
“I honestly don’t know what’s harder, making it this close or being out of the running earlier.” Brinley leans back against the booth. “I couldn’t imagine being so close to everything I’ve worked so hard for, and then it being over in just one game. Like if they don’t win this game, they’re out of the running for the championship.”
“That was always my least favorite part of going to Cam’s games.” Maia rubs her hands together. “I always hated seeing the other teams lose in big games. Like regular season games, I had no problem when we’d crush them, but seeing their faces when they knew that was it, it always sucked.”
“You would feel that way.” I give her a gentle smile. “If anyone were to ask me what you were like, I would use that example right there. I think it represents you perfectly.”
“Thank you… I think.” She slides out of the booth and smooths out her apron. “Got to get back to work; we’re packed, as per usual.”
She winks at us before heading back to the kitchen through the double doors.
It’s not busy. It never is. Occasionally, she’ll get a rush of old people, or sometimes, when the guys are playing away games, shefinds a way to broadcast them on the TVs, which draws in a crowd. But most of the time, it’s like this.
I think that’s why we love it so much. It feels like our own personal sanctuary.
“Do you want to drive down to the game with us?” Brinley asks, popping a fry into her mouth.
“I’m driving down early with Fletcher.”
“Coach is letting him drive to the game separately?” Brinley’s face fills with confusion.
“Oh, hell no. You know, Coach is superstitious as hell. I’m following the bus down there, so we can hang out a bit before the game. You know, help him with his nerves.”
“It’s nice to see the two of you back to normal. I was worried everything was going to change and our friend group was going to slowly fall apart.” Her face falls, and she stares down at her hands. “Well, I guess that’s happening anyway, huh?”
“Everything is going to work out with Ember. I know it. We’ve built a bond that can’t be broken, Brin. She just needs time.”
“Speaking of time, we’re running late for a movie.” Brin frowns. “Sorry, I don’t want to just dump all my feelings on you and run, but—”
I shake my head, waving my hands in front of my face.
