Page 40 of On the Breakaway

“My sister likes me.”

“She bullies you recreationally.”

“That’s how she shows affection.”

Wyatt grunts. “I can’t believe you’ve roped me into your sick family.”

I answer the call, already feeling some of the tension ease from my shoulders. “Hey, Katie.”

“Look at that, losers do answer the phone.” Her voice comes warm and light through the speaker. “I wasn’t sure after my last one went to voicemail.”

“Sorry, I was a little busy losing the game.”

Something in my tone must give away my actual mood, because her tone shifts from playful to caring older sister in an instant.

“You’ll get them next time, Gray.”

“We should’ve had them this time.” I pull at a loose thread on my sweatshirt sleeve.

“You’ve always been so hard on yourself.”

“That’s because I’m surrounded by underachievers.”

I’m joking, and she knows it. Wyatt does too, but he still flips me off without even opening his eyes.

Katie laughs. “Tell Wyatt I said hi.”

“He’s pretending to sleep.”

“He’s so dramatic.”

“He heard you.”

“Good.”

Wyatt lifts one hand lazily in acknowledgment. I shake my head slightly, smiling despite myself.

Katie has always been able to pull me out of a bad mood faster than anyone else. Probably because she’s been doing it my entire life. Being the youngest sibling with three older sisters means I’ve spent most of my existence getting bossed around by women who love me too much.

“Dad sent me twelve separate texts analyzing the third-period collapse,” she says.

“That man treats hockey like military strategy.”

She laughs, but doesn’t bother trying to deny it. “He once called me crying after you lost in overtime.”

“He did not cry.”

“He absolutely cried.” There’s rustling on her end before she speaks again. “So, when are you coming to dinner? You’re in New York next month”

Most of my family is in Indiana, but Katie moved to New York for her husband’s job a couple of years ago. Whenever we play there, I make time to see them.

“I’ll be there,” I promise. “Don’t know what the schedule looks like yet, but plan on me for at least one meal.”

“You’d better. The kids ask about you constantly.”

“That’s because I’m their favorite.” I sing-song.

“You buy them candy and teach them bad words.”