I forced a slow exhale and ran a hand over my jaw, trying to reset. But when I looked down, one of her pins was still at my feet, glinting under the light. I picked it up and rolled it between my fingers, the metal warm from where she’d just held it.
I tucked it into my pocket, just to keep my hands busy.
And as I walked toward walkthrough, the faint smell of her shampoo clung to my shirt, making it harder to remember where my head was supposed to be.
9
EM
Fridays were supposed to feel easy. They were invented to be that half-breath before the weekend, but this morning didn’t feel easy at all. Noah paced the kitchen like a caged bear, his phone in one hand, his travel itinerary open on the counter.
He’d already double-checked his bag twice, his tablet three times, and his keys at least four. The game wasn’t until Sunday night, but the team was flying out this afternoon for their first away series of the season—a Sunday night opener in Dallas, national broadcast, all eyes on them. I’d watched enough of these to know how big it was. I just hadn’t realized how nervoushewould be about leaving.
“Okay, so Miles gets out at three,” Noah said, scrolling through his phone. “You’ll pick him up at the side gate—not the main entrance, since it’s chaos. Library day, so he’ll have his bag stuffed full of books. He gets snack after school, but don’t let him have juice or he’ll be wired. I told them you’ll be picking him up. You’re cleared but bring an ID.”
I smiled, leaning on the counter, Sassy sitting obediently beside me. This reminded me of the chaos of watching Danieland Penny. I felt right at home. “Got it. No juice. Library books. Side gate.”
“And bedtime is seven thirty,” he went on, his tone bordering on manic. “But he’ll try to bargain. He’ll ask for nine. Don’t fall for it. It’s always seven thirty. He thinks if he wears me down, he wins.”
“Noah.” I tried not to laugh, because he was so serious about it. “I think I can handle it. You’re gone three days. We’ll be fine.”
He stopped pacing, exhaling hard. “It’s not you I’m worried about.”
“I know,” I said softly. “But he’s resilient. And we’ve got Sassy. She’s basically an emotional support animal at this point.”
At her name, Sassy lifted her head, tail thumping once against the cabinet. Noah cracked a reluctant smile. “Yeah, she’s a good one,” he admitted.
“She’s the best one,” I corrected. “And she adores Miles. He’ll be fine, Noah. You need to focus on your game. This is huge. Plus, Sunday night?”
He nodded, but his hand raked through his hair again, tension written all over him. His were wide, like little saucers, and his hair stuck up in every direction. “I just—he’s still having nightmares sometimes. And he’s finally sleeping through the night again. What if it sets him back? What if?—”
“Hey.” I cut him off before the spiral could start. I reached across the counter and touched his wrist, steadying him by wrapping my fingers around him. “You’re an incredible uncle. By trusting me with him, you can focus on you, and that’s what he needs. A role model.”
That made him blink, his expression softening. “Are you sure?” he asked quietly.
“Yes, I’m very sure.” I squeezed his wrist one more time before letting go with a smile.
He didn’t answer right away. His eyes searched mine, like hewanted to argue but couldn’t find a reason to. His hand turned under mine, fingers brushing my palm. The warmth of it sank in slow, grounding and intimate.
“Thank you,” he said, his voice low. “For doing this. For being here. I’m not sure there is anyone else I trust as much as you.”
His words were like a warm hug, deep in my chest. No one in my family trusted me like that besides my two younger siblings. Daniel and Penny and I had a special bond, since I’d basically been a parent to them almost two years. Theo was too, but once he made it to the NHL, the responsibility landed to me as my mom healed.
“Go win a game,” I said, forcing a small smile. “And stop worrying about juice boxes.”
That earned a laugh, finally. He shook his head, but some of the tension drained out of his shoulders. “Right. Juice boxes. Got it.”
“Is there anything I can do to reassure you?”
“Fuck.” He squeezed his eyes shut, his throat bobbing before he met my eyes again. His beautiful brown eyes were filled with worry, anguish even. “Don’t let my parents stop by. They could try something with me gone.”
“Wait, what?”
“I’ll tell you everything when I get back. I promise.” He scrubbed his face again. “I’m not sure what I would’ve done if you weren’t here, Em. I’m barely able to leave now, and you’re with him.” He exhaled, eyes filling with moisture. “Okay, I need to leave. I should just go.”
God, seeing him struggle had me saying to hell with it. I hopped off the stool and went to him, wrapping my arms around his middle and hugging him. “Everything will be okay. I promise you, Abbott. Call me as many times as you need. Text. FaceTime. You won’t annoy me ever.”
His whole frame went rigid before he exhaled against my hair. The sound was rough, uneven, pulled straight from his chest. I could feel the tremor in him under my palms, that impossible combination of strength and exhaustion that made my throat ache.
