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Maisie

Well, I’m going to his mom’s house tomorrow to try out some stew. And…I really like him.

Her finger hovered above the blue arrow before finally, she sent it. She held her breath for as long as she could. Daphne’s three dots appeared over and over again, but a few minutes passed, then five, then ten, and still, Daphne made no response.

Maisie shook her head in frustration, though really, all she felt was hurt deep inside her heart. She knew Daphne was worried. She could understand that. But why did she ask Maisie for updates if she didn’t really want those updates? And why couldn’t her aunt just accept that Maisie just might want a life of her own?

With another sigh, she silenced her phone and set it on the bedside table, praying for a restful sleep and for the excitement to return from that evening.

She would hang out with Finn tomorrow. She would meet his parents. She would let hope guide her life.

And the biggest hope she was choosing to focus on right now was the hope that she would be able to shed the guilt Daphne cloaked around her for wanting to pursue another dream instead of the one she’d fashioned for Maisie.

CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE

Day Six

“Ced’s probably already finished, hasn’t he?” Matthew asked, panting next to Finn as they ran down the streets of Belfast together.

“No doubt,” Finn said, his lungs burning as they ran. He definitely should’ve trained for this more than he had. “The man has more energy than the bleedin’ sun itself.”

Matthew let out a short blast of air in a sort of laugh.

Cedric had broken away from them a few short minutes into the race, then Graham next. Eventually, even Winnie had even left to sprint ahead, leaving Matthew and Finn to linger near the back.

Neither of them minded. They usually brought up the rear. It allowed them to speak a bit more.

“How’s Ced’s leg been?” Finn asked. “Last I heard he was gearin’ up to play again.”

“Yeah, he is. But he’s pushing it too hard. His physiotherapist says he’ll be ready for his first match soon, and Cedric’s said he’s prepared, but I don’t know. It’s too risky.”

Finn shook his head, worry marring his brow. Cedric’s entire life revolved around football, so when he’d injured himself playing for Habergham FC, having to sit out the rest of last season, it had killed him. He was dying to get back out onto the pitch, but if he got out there too early, he’d risk injuring himself permanently.

But Finn knew Cedric couldn’t handle waiting. The man lived for the sport—and he lived for the celebrity status he’d achieved because of it. Unfortunately, when he’d been injured, his fans had turned on him. Now that there was the chance of him returning partway through this season—potentially even playing for England at the World Cup—Cedric couldn’t help himself.

“I don’t know what he’d do if he couldn’t play anymore,” Finn said. “The last seven months have been torture for him. But a career-endin’ injury would end more than just his career.”

Matthew grimaced. “We just need to keep him anchored. That energy makes him fly too close to that sun sometimes.”

Finn couldn’t help but agree. Cedric had always been the most ambitious of their friend group. Ambitious, though caring. He felt deeper than most of them. He and Finn had always connected due to both of their poor upbringings, but in the last few years, Cedric had gotten a slightly swollen head. Hopefully that swelling wouldn’t cause him to make poor decisions.

They continued running, people on the side cheering them on and handing out cups of water at various stations. As they passed by a café, Finn’s eyes roved around the people standing outside the door, though Maisie wasn’t one of them.

The only thing sustaining him right now was the mere thought of seeing her tonight.

“Why are you smiling?” Matthew asked.

Finn looked at his mate, only then realizing a smile was, indeed, on his face. “Just lookin’ forward to the race bein’ done,” he lied.

“And seeing Maisie,” Matthew stated.

“That, too.”

Matthew laughed. “Winnie’s excited to see her, too.”

Finn had heard all about how much they’d loved Maisie when he’d returned from walking her to her hotel.

“Marry her,” Winnie had said.