49. Evie
Evie
VALENTI
see you after the game?
EVIE
of course!
VALENTI
wearing my jersey?
EVIE
always x
“Icalled them to help you. I promise, they’re very kind,” I say calmly, tuning out the other dispatchers’ voices around me, the blinking lights alerting me to the numerous calls waiting.
“Are you sure?”
The old man on the line can’t see it but I smile. It’s not a happy one, it’s full of sadness and warmth for the confused citizen.
“I promise, Mr. Hucklbee.”
Flicking my eyes to my notes, I know I’m not wrong about this one.
Dementia.
I’m not sure what prompted him to dial 911, but the moment he heard my voice, he thought I was a woman named Louise, I’m assuming his late wife. After coaxing a last name from him, I was able to locate his file.
A widow. Eighty-nine years old. War veteran.
“Okay…” he says, sounding unsure.
His words trail off as I hear the knock at the door, the officers making themselves known as they try to coax Mr. Hucklbee to open the door.
“Mr. Hucklbee, I promise you they’re there to help. Could you do me a favor and open the door for them? We wouldn’t want them to get cold now, would we?”
“Well, no, I suppose not.” He pauses. “And they’re going to help me get to the store until you can meet me there?”
That I can’t promise, so instead I say gently, “They’re going to assist you in the best way they can.”
“Well, all right then.”
I hear the lock turn, the door creaking open a moment later, followed by a young officer’s gentle voice asking, “Are you Mr. Hucklbee?”
“Yes, that’s me.”
Before the officers capture his attention fully, I say, “You’re in good hands, Mr. Hucklbee. Thank you for speaking with me.”
“Bye, Louise. I love you, dear.”
“Bye, Mr. Hucklbee.”
Disconnecting the call, I take off my headset and sit back in my chair, feeling like a boulder is resting on my chest.
Angel comes to sit on my desk, cocking her head as she assesses me. “Heavy call?”
I weigh my head side to side. “Just sad is all. He was confused, thought I was his late wife. He was wondering why I wasn’t home to drive to the store with him.” My lips flatten. “Nearly ninety and a war veteran.”
She whistles low. “Sad how your mind can betray you like that, just jumping from timeline to timeline.”
“It’s heartbreaking,” I add. Turning fully in my chair, I catch her gaze appearing far away. “Hey, are you okay?”
Angel’s lips purse, trying to keep the tears welling at bay. “I will be.”
“Want to talk about it?”
She pauses, thinking before slowly shaking her head. “Maybe later. It’s too fresh right now, and then I’ll start crying.”
“Fair enough.” Squeezing her knee, I give her a friendly smile. “Here if you need an ear.”
“Thanks, chickie.” Seemingly shaking off her melancholy, she pastes on a forced smile, trying to rid herself of the darkness coating her. “You clocking off now?”
“Yeah, I’m done for the day,” I say. “Off to my brother and Matteo’s game.”
Angel wags her brows. “And how is Mr. Six-Foot-Five Hockey God treating you?”
I was right, telling her about Matteo and me. As if fireworks went off in her eyes, she was so excited for our happiness, and my God did she ask questions. She wanted to know every minute detail.
My cheeks heat, a furious blush crawling across my face as I pack up my bag. “He’s treating me well.”
More than well, he’s heaven-sent.
“By the blush on your face, he’s treating you exceptionally well.” Craning her neck around the room to make sure no one’s listening, she bends down, whispering, “Slept with him yet?”
My eyes widen. “No, and stop asking me at work,” I scold her. “One of these days someone’s going to overhear you.”
She just waves me off as she flicks her bouncy, dirty blonde hair over her shoulder. “Please, as if I’d ever get caught. I’m as stealthy as a ninja.”
Scoffing out a laugh, I place my bag over my shoulder as I turn to leave. “Whatever makes you sleep better at night, Angel.”
Hopping off my desk, she follows me out, both of us smiling at those that we make eye contact with. I’ve never felt so at home at a job before, have never felt so right doing something. As if everything I’ve gone through was to lead me here, where I can actually help people and make a difference.
Pushing through the exit, Angel is gearing up to no doubt ask me more about my sex life—and more so why I haven’t slept with Matteo yet—when we run into Tristan at the front of the building. For now, the questions brimming in her eyes float away.
“Thank God, save me from her inquisition,” I tease.
Angel gasps in mock horror, placing her manicured hand on her chest. “I’m offended.”
“Good, maybe it will keep your trap shut,” Tristan deadpans.
“Doubtful.”
I can’t help but laugh as I playfully knock her shoulder. “When the day comes I’ll tell you. Until then, you’re going to have to find something else to pique your interest.”
She bats her lashes at me but I just click my tongue, tsking. “Those doe eyes don’t work on me. I don’t have a dick.”
She cocks a hip, crossing her arms over her chest. “I’ll have you know that move works on women, too.”
“Does it?” Tristan asks, genuinely perplexed.
“Have you seen me?”
“Touché.”
Shaking my head at them, I’m about to say my farewell, worried I’ll miss the warm-up on the ice when Angel suddenly squeals beside me, her hands smacking over her lips.
Tristan and I whip our heads in her direction, but Angel screams once more before taking off into a run, colliding with a woman down the street. I’m perplexed and as confused as ever, but Tristan has a smile lighting up his face.
“Uh, what’s happening?” I murmur.
He points. “That’s Kalani.”
Excitement buzzes through my veins. “The Kalani?”
“The one and only,” he says as we make our way over.
I knew they were best friends, Angel’s other half having been away traveling for the past two months, but seeing them in the flesh together clicks everything into place. With all the stories Angel has told me, I feel like I’ve already met her.
I think Angel downplayed their relationship, though. These girls aren’t just best friends, they’re soulmates. There’s no way they’re anything less by the way they’re clinging to each other, tears in both their eyes.
“Oh my god!” Angel screams. “I thought you were getting back in three days!”
“Figured a surprise would be worth seeing your reaction, and I was right,” Kalani says, her voice sugary sweet.
She’s also drop dead gorgeous. Her skin is a deep ebony color that makes her green eyes shine. Her curls are defined and bouncy, the ringlets brushing along her shoulders.
Tristan clears his throat. “Um, hello? Can I get a hug or am I forgotten?”
Kalani rolls her eyes. “I could never forget you, Tristan. You’d never let me.”
As Tristan and Kalani embrace, Angel’s hands twitch at her sides, as if fighting to hold herself back. My thoughts are only confirmed as, once Tristan steps away, the girls turn to each other again, searching for any changes from the passing eight weeks before laughing and hugging once more.
I’ve seen bonds like this before. In Caleb and Matteo, Grayson and Kieran—two souls, able to read each other’s minds.
Angel pulls back, only to grip Kalani’s forearm. “This is Evie!”
Turning to me, Kalani grins. “The infamous Evie.” Stepping out of Angel’s touch, Kalani wraps me in an embrace, and I have to bend slightly as she murmurs, “I owe you a drink, numerous actually, for damaging Carter’s car.”
Throwing my head back, I can’t stop the laughter exploding from my chest. “I honestly forgot about that.”
“I didn’t! I’ve heard so much about you through Angel, I can’t wait to hang out more.”
“Me too,” I say earnestly.
Angel stands behind us, bouncing up and down on the balls of her feet. “Yay! I’m so glad you two got to finally meet!” Her eyes widen suddenly. “We have to go out and celebrate Kalani being home.”
Though Kalani and Tristan agree, I say sadly, “I hate to be the party pooper, but I have the game tonight.”
Angel frowns. “Fuck, I forgot.”
“It’s okay, you three go ahead and catch up. Why don’t we do drinks tomorrow night after work?”
“Sounds perfect!” Kalani says. “I don’t start work until next week so that gives me plenty of time to mope about jet lag beforehand.”
We all chuckle at that.
Checking the time on my phone, I wince. “I hate to cut this short but I really have to go or I’ll be late, but it was so wonderful to finally meet you.”
“And you too. Excited for tomorrow night!” Kalani says, giving me a warm smile.
“Same here. Bombard me with photos and videos tonight!” I call out, walking backward in the direction of my car.
Angel points at me wickedly. “Back atcha, chickie. Send me videos of the hot sweaty men!”
“Specifically that hot brother of yours!” Tristan adds, fanning himself.
I roll my eyes, but pause as I remember something. “I almost forgot! I’m having a birthday dinner this Sunday night and I’d love for you to all come.”
Angel’s eyes widen. “It’s your birthday? Why didn’t you tell us?”
I’ve always dreaded birthdays and now I know why. Now that I remember.
Quickly shaking off the thought, I take a deep breath, grounding myself and swatting away the emotions. “Sorry, I’m not that big of a birthday person. I’ll text you the details.”
“Fuck yes we’ll be there,” Tristan announces.
“Should we catch up for breakfast instead then? Cancel drinks if we’re going to do a dinner this week?” Kalani suggests.
I nod. “Sounds good to me. I’m excited for you to meet the other girls as well.”
“And the hockey men!” Angel teases.
“Trust me, plenty of fuck boys for you to play with.” I give one final wave before turning and making my way to the parking lot, and the whole way there, I find I can’t stop smiling. Commuters on their way home pass by giving me quizzical expressions, but despite it, I can’t force myself to stop.
I’m happy.
Really, truly happy.
If I told myself a year ago I would be where I am today, I’d be in awe.
Working a job I adore and love, one that makes me feel like I’m making a difference, like I have a purpose in this life.