Page 118 of Cross Check

THIRTY-EIGHT

GRANT

Puck Kings

Huddy Boy

Just checking to make sure everyone made it home from the hospital okay.

Mavvy

Yeah.

Easy E

Yup.

Sully

Yes.

Me

Okay is a generous word.

Connor

I cried into my pillow for hours.

Me

Same.

Huddy Boy

Get some sleep. Drink water, eat food. We have to take care of ourselves if we’re going to come up with a plan. We’ll reconvene tomorrow.

It’ll all be okay.

Easy E

Will it?

After three servings of pancakes, I’m not happy, but I’m better.

I’m coherent enough to help Amelia to the guest room without crying. I even smile when she makes a joke about paint color and door knobs, which feels like a step in the right direction.

Progress, I guess.

“I don’t know the last time someone stayed here,” I say, flipping on a light. The early afternoon sun pours into the room, and I pull the curtains closed to help block out the heat. “But the sheets are clean, and there’s a bathroom right across the hall.”

“This is really nice.” Amelia walks into the room and opens a dresser drawer. “Do any of the guys ever sleep over at your place?”

“If they’ve had a drink too many during our video game marathons, they’ll crash here.” I fix one of the decorative pillows and wonder if I should order a throw blanket so she’s extra comfortable. “The older we get, the more we’ve turned into homebodies. The nights out end earlier. We pick water over beer. My youth is slipping away.”

“I’m going to get you a subscription to the AARP magazine for your birthday this year.”

“Wow.” I laugh for the first time in what feels like days. The clouds that have been following me break. “That’s kind of you, Amelia. Thank you so much.”