Page 102 of Breakaway Hearts

I can think of a dozen snide remarks, but I promised Coach I’d be on my best behavior and try to get through to him, not bully him into submission. Not that he thought I would go that route, but I don’t think he thinks this will work either.

Before I get a chance to talk to him, Danny gets a phone call he takes in the hallway – to make sure any stranger walking by can hear instead of me – then Amber facetimes me with questions for her history project just as he comes back. By the time we hang up, Danny’s already in bed, probably pretending to sleep, but I don’t want to start us off on another wrong foot, so I do the same.

At least we’ll be well-rested for tomorrow.

At practice the next morning, I’m happy to see Colt and Cooper joking with each other when I’m pretty sure he called him a trust fund asshole last week, but Mike looks exhausted.

Coach is looking at me like this was a terrible idea and we’re too old to be forced into making new friends, but I still have faith this can help.

That night, Kyle calls me during bath time, because Evan scored a goal at their game and couldn’t wait to tell me.

“I’m so proud of you, buddy!” I say, which turns into reading the twins Little Blue Truck.

I hang up and turn to Danny, who’s doing homework at the desk in the corner. “Sorry about that, my nieces—” I say, hoping to get a conversation going, but my phone rings again, this time with Izzie. “Just a minute,” I tell Danny, who rolls his eyes.

“I’ve got a dilemma.” Izzie sighs as soon as we’re connected.

“I’m flattered you called me.”

“Noah and Darren are both on planes,” she explains with an angelic smile.

“I’m glad I’m your third choice, then,” I tease.

“Savannah also didn’t pick up.”

“Now you’re just being mean,” I call her on it.

“You know I love you,” she assures me.

Danny pretends not to listen while I walk Izzie through her dilemma, but this is the first time I haven’t been able to hear the music blaring from his air pods. I was worried the weekend would cost him his hearing.

“You’re going to kill it, like always,” I say once she’s written it all down.

“You’re still coming next week, right?”

“I wouldn’t miss it.”

“You could though, if you’re busy. It’s the figure skating one, and we’re all kids, so there’s no one to flirt with,” she warns, and I can’t help but laugh.

“I don’t mind figure skating, and if you’re doing it, I’ll love it. But be prepared for a very vocal and engaged cheering section.”

“Please don’t embarrass me.” She covers her face in anticipation.

“What kind of big brothers would we be if we didn’t?”

“Nice ones.” She sighs.

Danny is looking at me funny when I eventually hang up. My guess is he wants to ask something but can’t admit he was eavesdropping, or that he even remotely cares.

“I didn’t know you had siblings,” he says finally. “Other than your sister.”

“Four others, but they’re a lot older than me. My oldest niece is too, but the youngest just turned two, so it kind of works.”

He nods, and this is definitely the most we’ve talked without fighting.

“That was Izzie though.”

He looks at me blankly.