AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Maybe I wanted to make my girlfriend proud.”
“I always am, Theo. But you are exceptional on the ice.” She held my gaze and said the words in a serious, deep tone. “You’re incredible.”
“Thank you.” I cleared my throat. I wanted to yank her against me and declare my love and demand she never leave me. It so wasn’t the time, plus I needed more details on her brother. Instead, I kissed her against and held her tight. “And thank you for being so kind to Em.”
“Don’t thank me for that.” Audrey sighed, and her minty breath hit my face. I loved her little sighs. “What are you grinning about?”
“You. Just you.”
Her eyes warmed, and her cheeks pinkened as she intertwined our fingers. It felt so natural, and there was no hesitation on her. We were finally together without a doubt. “We can talk about your sister and my brother later. Right now, I just want to spend time with you.”
God, I loved those words. My life was a dream right now, and instead of worrying when the other shoe would drop, I was gonna enjoy it. “Lead the way, baby.”
25
Audrey
Quentin was trying.
It had been a few weeks since the home opener where we hugged, and he promised to be a better brother. A real friend to me. I wanted to trust him because I missed my brother. But time would tell the truth.
Today was the day we were meeting up at a diner to hang. He wanted to hear about my clinicals with Theo and my plans for next year. And he offered to pay and insisted I’d never pay for another one of our meals. My stomach still squirmed with anticipation, but us talking again was worth giving it a try. Em really hit me in my feels talking about how she felt about her brother. Her older brother. I never gave much thought to sibling dynamics, but hearing her, a wonderful upbeat innocent girl who went through a lot, talk about the hurt she’d feel if she and Theo fought, it woke me up.
Quentin wasn’t innocent in this, but he didn’t have to be guilty forever. I played with my straw wrapper when the door to the diner chimed. Not Quentin.
Theo: Let me know if you need me, okay? You got this, Auds.
Audrey: I can do this.
Theo: Call me after. I don’t have to be at the rink for another few hours.
They had another home game tonight, and Theo’s dad was joining. It felt big. Massive, even. They hadn’t really spoken since that night at his house, and just like I was opening up with my brother, Theo was doing the same with his dad.
People were complicated. People weren’t all good, nor all bad, but talking out feelings fucking sucked. No one wanted to do it, and the cycle of resentment grew. Some things were able to be repaired. Not everything.
Like the texts from my mom I never answered.
Mom: send me money or I’ll starve
Mom: you think Dad would be proud of you? You were so selfish, Audrey
Mom: please, I’ll miss my bills
Mom: honey, I was hungry. I’m okay now, please help me?
Mom: DID YOU TURN QUENTIN AGAINST ME? HOW DARE YOU?
Mom: I’m calling your BROTHER.
The last one was sent yesterday. It hurt, but I blocked her. She had Quentin’s number and my email and address. If she wanted to make an effort, she could.
The remaining guilt stabbed me, picturing what my dad would say if he saw us now. He’d want me to try, but I had been. I could only take so much before I had to let her go.
Theo’s struggles reminded me that it wasn’t our job to emotionally babysit our parents. We could help, be supportive, but the relationship had to be reciprocal and genuine. Maybe I’d be ready to talk to my mom again, but I could decide that later. For now? I was better off without her.
My brother and I? Theo and his dad?
They were repairable if both parties were honest and willing. And they were.
