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“Okay, so why’s she texting?”

“I think she’s lonely, actually. She wants to see me when I get back. She’s inviting me for Easter.”

“You don’t need to see her, Lil. You are not responsible for her feelings.” Remy felt good about that advice, mostly because Lily had once given it to him. Also, not getting sucked into their mother’s life was always the best plan.

“I know, I know. But I think maybe she’s not drinking as much anymore. So maybe it wouldn’t be so bad to visit.”

“Lil, you told her—and me—that you weren’t going to see her again unless she went to meetings regularly for three months. Has she done that? Because if not, I think I remember you saying something about healthy boundaries and how we all need them.”

“I did. And we do. It’s just—especially now that you’re out here, for holidays, she’s the only family I have.” Lily wasn’t looking at him as she said that, like she felt guilty, like it was wrong for her to want to have family around to spend a holiday with.

“And I don’t want you to feel bad about living here,” she continued, before he could say a word, “because you clearly love it. And don’t think I can’t tell you finally made a move on your crush. Who seems great, by the way, except for the whole he’s-a-teammate thing and also the he’s-super-old thing, so I hope you know what you’re doing.”

Now Remy didn’t know which part to argue with, which was probably her plan. He settled on saying, “Jed is great, and I really, really like him,” because that part he was sure about, even if it was pretty scary to say out loud. “Also, I will fly you down here whenever you want. If you want to give Mom another chance, I can’t tell you that’s the wrong thing to do, but it’s not your only choice. And I may not be here for good.”

Lily gave him a half-hearted smile, followed by one of her super-tight hugs, and Remy squeezed her back tightly enough that she squeaked.

“Maybe you’ll be here for good and maybe not. Just don’t make that decision because of me, okay? I want good things for you, too.” She reached up to kiss his cheek. “Thanks for everything, big bro. I’m going to go take a shower. Jed’s guest bathroom is a lot nicer than Petey’s.”

She left Remy leaning against the window, absorbing the icy chill from outside and taking deep breaths and trying to let the anger swelling up in him float away. Getting mad at his mother didn’t help Lily, and it didn’t help him, either.

And the cold helped calm him down, a bit. Enough to wonder how long it was going to take Jed to get home, because he could really use another hug and maybe that’s something they did now.

By the time Jed returned, Lily was back out in the living room, so there were no hugs, not even when she wasn’t looking. Then Jed went downstairs to work out. Remy wanted so badly to follow him, but he also didn’t want to be needy. So he slumped on the couch and iced his foot some more while Lily scrolled through various of his teammates’ social media accounts and scolded him for not posting more often, because apparently, that was a thing “literally every other guy on your team does, at least the ones who aren’t ancient.”

The afternoon was endless.

Eventually, they ordered takeout, and he and Lily watched a movie while Jed read a book on his side of the couch. Remy couldn’t focus on the movie at all. He’d been holding in the need to touch Jed again all day, and now he was practically vibrating with it. He couldn’t believe Jed hadn’t noticed.

When the credits finally started rolling, Lily gave him a long hug, and she and Jed exchanged “Good nights,” too, and finally, finally, it was just him and Jed on the couch.

Remy scooted closer and waited.

Jed kept reading.

“Jed.” Remy tried not to sound desperate, but it came out close to a whine.

“Yeah?” Jed glanced up and gave him a half-smile, and Remy melted a little.

“Lily’s probably asleep now.”

“She did look tired.”

“So.”

Jed put down his book. “Remy, I’m not comfortable doing anything with your sister in the house.”

“But she’s gone to bed.” Remy’s heart was already speeding up, and he was close enough to smell that cedar-and-spice scent, and in about five seconds, he was going to be crawling onto Jed’s lap. “Don’t you want⁠—”

“She’s leaving in the morning.” Jed gave him a look that was part question, part amusement. “I’m pretty sure you can wait another twelve hours.”

“Really?”

Jed nodded.

“Fine.” Remy couldn’t keep the grumpiness out of his voice, because actually, he didn’t think he could wait another twelve hours. If anything, he should be the one telling Jed they couldn’t do anything with Lily around, but he couldn’t bring himself to care.

He’d been waiting all day to kiss Jed again.