Chapter 42
Forty-Two
Tweetie
I watch Tedi go to her usual seat on the plane as I plop down in mine. All three of my friends look at me. “What?”
They all laugh. “It’s good to see you smiling again.”
I nod, pulling out my phone and hoping that I get this handled before the plane takes off and I have to put it on Airplane Mode. Searching through my contacts, I find the right Toby. How do I know four Tobys? I really need to learn to put last names in my contact records.
Hey Toby, it’s Tweetie.
The three dots appear, and I really hope it’s not someone saying, “Toby who?” because he’s changed his number.
I know.
He’s just as much of a smartass as his sister.
I didn’t know if you’d still have my number stored.
I debated, but lucky for you, you’re a professional hockey player.
Thanks?
Tell me you’re not texting me to ask for my sister’s hand in marriage. Did my dad not respond or something?
“Who are you texting?” Rowan asks from across the aisle.
I glance at the window, seeing our plane is being de-iced again. Love flying in the fucking winter.
Why would you think that?
Because you two are demented, and now that she’s with the Falcons, I’m sure you’re going to give it a go again. Please tell me I’m wrong.
I think you should hear it from Tedi.
Don’t make me have to kick your ass.
If I hurt her, you get five good shots.
Deal. But really…
I’ll meet you today if you want to talk face-to-face. But I’m on limited time here. You have a son, huh?
You’re on a time crunch but you want to know about my son and how I’m a single dad??
So he and Carrie didn’t work out. I can’t say I’m surprised. She was so bossy and pushy. Their entire wedding, all she did was drag him around. He deserved better.
Mason, right? What did he ask Tedi to do today?
The three dots appear, disappear, and appear again before disappearing again. I look out the window to clock how much time I might have.
“Seriously. Who are you texting? Because I can see her, and she’s reading a book or something.” Rowan glares at me as if I really would be messaging another woman.
I’m insulted until I realize that these guys have never seen me with Tedi. They’ve only seen the version of me after Tedi, when I tried to forget what it was like to be with the woman I loved. The guy who couldn’t breathe without her. I’ll prove it to them in time.
Why do I feel as if we’re both going to be put in a headlock?
Stop with the dramatic childhood stories. What does Mason want?
There’s a boy at school…
Toby…
He told the kid he knew you, and the kid was a dick about it and told everyone Mason was lying. He asked Tedi if you could come to his school to prove him wrong. But he’s fine. I’m about to get in the car to drive him to school. No worries. All good.
As much as I appreciate Tedi not committing me to something without asking, I was already upset that I couldn’t stay with them for dinner tonight because I had to fly back with the team.
Can I have Mason’s school and address?
Tedi will strangle me if you guys lose your game.
I’m not going to lose. Hello, it’s me.
I can just see Toby rocking his head back in agony, wondering how he gets out of this and wishing we never exchanged phone numbers all those years ago.
Still afraid of your older sister?
Laredo Grade School, 5874 Washington Street. Text me on your way, and I’ll meet you.
You’ll be my favorite brother-in-law.
I see things haven’t changed. Still driving in the fast lane.
I won’t bore him with details of how his sister has put the brakes on us for a while.
The plane pulls back from the terminal.
See you soon. Plane is taking off.
If the plane goes down, save my sister.
I’ll put on her oxygen mask before my own.
How sweet.
Don’t be jealous, you’ll find your person soon.
(Gif with the middle finger)
I click my phone off and shove it in my pocket, noticing three pairs of eyes on me.
“What?” I sigh.
They all tilt their heads. As the plane’s engines roar, I lean in and ask them to do me a really big solid, to which they all agree because they’re my best friends and want me to win the girl.
I hate the ache that nestles into my chest that next year at this time, I probably won’t be with them.