Abby folded her arms. “That’s the thing about him—he always comes around when things are good, just so he can make them bad again. He’s never there when the shit is hard.”
It took her back to his sporadic appearances during her childhood, disrupting whatever peace she and her mother managed. It took her back to two years ago, when Abby was drowning in grief. Now that the floods had receded, now that she was playing the best softball of her life, of course he wanted back in.
“I told him it probably wasn’t a good idea anyway,” Isla said. “It’s just…”
Abby narrowed her brow at the way her voice wavered. “What?”
Isla stared at her for a beat and Abby knew whatever she said next wouldn’t be the full truth. “He looks out for you in his own way,” she finally said.
“Fuck, Isla—”
“That’s it.” She threw her hands up. “I’m not saying he’s a good guy or you need to forgive him or that you even need to see him. Okay?”
Abby clenched her jaw. She dried a skillet like she might rub it to pieces until Isla touched her shoulder. A timid, uncertain hand that she left there.
“I’m going to miss you, you know?” she said.
Abby gulped and stopped drying. “I’m going to miss you too.”
“But we’ll see each other. You can both come visit.” Isla smiled when Abby shifted to meet her gaze. “You and Kate.”
Abby’s eyes widened. “What?”
“I mean, well. You two. Are you…” Isla raised her eyebrows.
Abby blushed. “Yes.” For all the secrecy and sneaking, it felt good to tell someone. And this, despite their parting ways, felt like a chance at something closer. Something like sisters. Like family. “Just, you know, don’t make a big deal out of it.”
Isla grinned so wide that her eyes nearly shut. “Okay.”
“Stop smiling like that.”
“I’m not.” Isla handed her another dish.
Abby groaned. “You’re still doing it.”
“Sorry, you’ve just liked her for so long.”
“I have not.” Abby’s mouth fell open, uncertain whether she’dalways been that obvious or if Isla just knew her better than she thought.
“Don’t mess it up.”
“Wow.”
“Kate’s just…you know, she’s special. Sweet. Really smart.”
Abby’s gaze drifted out the sliding glass door. Kate’s hair tangled in the wind, her dress fluttering while she nodded and smiled. Abby sighed. “I know that.”
Isla smacked her with a dish towel. “Sister to sister, she’s out of your league.”
“Out of my league?” Abby smacked her back with her own towel.
“Oh yeah.” Isla laughed before hugging her. “I’m happy for you.”
Abby closed her eyes as she held on. “Thanks.”
She savored the chiding and Isla calling her sister. She savored what felt like the last breaths before a plunge. Everything was moving too fast and she wasn’t ready. Not even close.
Kate knew she’d lose her virginity to Abby. She just didn’t expect it to be after dinner at Isla’s, though maybe she should have. It lived in the glances, in Abby squeezing her hand, in the talk of the future that lately felt equally terrifying and thrilling, in the way Isla grinned at her when she and Abby returned from doing the dishes. In the way Abby pecked Kate’s cheek, uncaring of their audience. She’d fluttered with surprise, but it also grounded her. Like it solidified everything they’d always been.
