Page 10 of Break Out

He runs a hand through his hair. “I don’t know. Still upset that our season ended the way it did, I guess.”

“Okay,” I say, although I’m not entirely satisfied with that answer.

He changes the subject, and I let him even though I think there’s something he’s not telling me. But I won’t push him, the same way he doesn’t push me to talk about things when I’m not ready. That’s probably why we became such good friends in the first place—because we let each other be and don’t try to change the other person.

“You ready?” Brody asks twenty minutes later when we’ve finished eating and he’s paid the bill.

“Yeah, I guess.” Leaving dinner means I’m one step closer to seeing my mother and I’m dreading it.

“Want me to come with you?” Brody asks as we walk out the door, as if he read my mind. He probably did. He’s good at reading people, it’s why he’s so good on the ice. He’s got a sixth sense about things and not just when it comes to playing hockey.

“Nah,” I say with a shake of my head.

“Are you sure?”

“Yes, but thanks, Brod. For everything,” I say glancing over at him and meeting his gaze. Hoping he can see the sincerity in what I’m telling him.

“You know I’d do anything for you, Aubrey,” he says quietly, and the sentiment goes straight to my heart.

We reach my car and I unlock the door, then turn to face him. His brows are pinched together, and he appears to be deep in thought, like there’s something else he wants to say. But he shakes his head and, instead, pulls me in for a hug. I breathe in his comforting scent of pine and cedarwood and relax into his arms, not questioning why he felt the need to give me a second hug tonight.

We hug—just not normally this much.

Far too soon, he’s letting me go, and I reluctantly climb into my car. Brody steps back, his hands in his pockets, and watches as I start my car and back out of my spot. Finally, with a wave he heads to his SUV.

Hopefully tomorrow goes as well as dinner tonight did.

Here’s to hoping.

But if I know my mother and Clara, something is going to go wrong.

If only I knew how wrong it would go.

“I’m on my way, Mother.” She hangs up without even a goodbye, and I shake my head, turning up the radio and concentrating on the road.

Today is going to be so much fun. Yes, that’s sarcasm. She felt the need to call me as I was driving to meet everyone to make sure I was on time. I hate that she feels the need to remind me a million times what time the appointment is and to not be late.

Like I could forget.

I pull into the parking lot of the bridal boutique, Refined Silk, put my car in park, and take a deep breath. My middle sister, Brielle’s, van is parked a few spots over, and I let out a sigh of relief. At least I won’t have to face Mother and Clara alone. I take a few deep breaths before getting out of my car.

“Hey, Aubs.”

I turn toward the voice and see Bri getting out of her van. “Hey, Bri. How are you?”

When I get close enough to her, she puts out her arms, and I step into her embrace. We’ve always been close, especially growing up and being two years apart.

“I’m good, big sis. How are you?”

“Fine. Ask me in a couple of hours and that answer might change.”

She laughs and raises her eyebrows at me before linking her arm through mine and steering us toward the shop. “I got your back, sis.”

“She already called me on my way over here to make sure I wasn’t going to be late,” I say, rolling my eyes.

Bri shakes her head, pulling the door open. We’re greeted by a sales lady who leads us to the back of the shop.

“Hello girls,” Mother says, coming over to greet us. She gives us both the once-over and must like what she sees because she doesn’t comment, giving us each a peck on the cheek instead.