Grant #2
“That sounds ridiculously fun.” Her eyes twinkle, and she reaches for her wineglass. “Hi, G. You look good.”
“So do you, Han. Fill me in. What’s new?”
“Coaching Olivia, Brody’s daughter, is going well.” Hannah sips her wine. “She’s making a lot of improvements, which makes me think I’m doing things right.”
“It’s still weird to hear you call him Brody.” I shudder. “It sounds too normal.”
“That is his name.” She clears her throat and sets her drink down. “Between coaching and working with Brody on my own skating basics, being on the ice is fun again. I’m doing what I want, not what a club wants, and it’s freeing.”
“Any chance of eyeing a comeback? I’m asking that out of curiosity.” I hold up my hands so she knows I’m not trying to be pushy. “Not because I think you should rush into anything.”
“If you asked me a month and a half ago, I would’ve said no.
The weight of being burnt out was too heavy, but things are better.
I signed up for a local competition happening in a few weeks, and after that, I might be ready to tackle some bigger events.
If it happens, it happens. If not, I have a lot of great things going for me right now.
I’m not worried, and the break has been good for my mental health. ”
“I’m proud of you, Han. It’s hard for athletes to take a step back, but sometimes it only makes them better in the long run.” I give her a wide smile. “I know that’s how it’s going to be for you too.”
“I hope so.” She matches my smile with one of her own. “I’m ready to give it a shot and see what happens.”
We put in an order of food and catch up over grilled chicken salads and a plate of fries that we split. She tells me how her best friend is doing, and I bring her up to speed on everything happening with the team.
“I can’t believe how many of the guys are settling down!” Hannah pops a fry in her mouth. “I wonder who will be next. Do you think Ethan will ever find someone?”
“He’s more likely to start a relationship with a hot dog than an actual human. Also, if he ever tries to message you, please let me know. I haven’t been in a fight in a while, and it would be fun to put him in his place,” I say.
“Defending my honor, big brother?”
“Keeping you away from my sleazeball teammates, dear sister.”
“You can’t protect me forever. I’m going to settle down with someone one of these days.”
“And I’ll have to make sure they respect you. That means absolutely no one affiliated with hockey,” I say, and a flicker of hesitation flashes across her face. “What was that look?”
“There wasn’t a look.”
“There was so a look.” I drop my elbow on the table and lean forward, narrowing my eyes at her.
“You’ve never been able to hide anything from me, Han.
I swear to god if one of my teammates is harassing you, I will kill them.
Then I’ll bring them back to life and make Coach Saunders kill them too with the most hellish workouts of their lives. ”
“Shit.” Hannah drops her fork then scoops it off the table. “Sorry. My fingers are salty.”
“Here.” I hand her a napkin. “Problem solved.”
“I appreciate the protectiveness, but I promise no one is harassing me.”
I believe that no one is harassing her, but I don’t believe that she’s not keeping some sort of secret to herself. It’s not my place to pry—she’d tell me if she wants to tell me—so I sip my water and clamp down on the other questions I have.
“The offer stands. You let me know if I need to take care of anyone,” I say.
“Thank you.” Hannah puts the napkin in her lap. “That’s enough about me. What’s happening in your life, G? You never reached out to that woman at my old rink to meet up for dinner or drinks. Don’t tell me I’ve already failed as a matchmaker.”
“I didn’t reach out to her because things are still busy as hell for me.
Between the sponsorship campaigns, practice, games, and attempting to sleep seven hours a night, I don’t have much time for grabbing drinks with random women.
” I shove a fry in my mouth so I don’t start waxing poetry about the blonde woman I can’t stop thinking about.
“Other than my job keeping me occupied for almost every minute of every day, there’s not a lot happening in my life. ”
“I’m so proud of you. You’ve worked hard to get to where you are today, and your success makes me happy. Don’t tell my other brothers, but you’re definitely my favorite.”
“I’m your only brother.” I grin. “I’m proud of you too, Han. Things are busy as hell, but I want to make more of an effort to see each other. We live in the same city. Dinner once every two weeks shouldn’t be that difficult to plan.”
“We’ll make that happen.” She reaches across the table and holds my hand.
I take a second to look at her when she squeezes my palm, and it’s obvious she’s doing well.
Her laugh lines are deeper. She’s lighter, more at ease.
Happier, and it makes me happy. “You really are my favorite brother, Grant. Thank you for always cheering me on.”
“That’s never going to change, sis. You’re stuck with me for life,” I say.
“Thank goodness. Life would be boring without you around.”
We finish our meals, and there’s a picture in my head of Amelia here too. Joining us for dinner and laughing at Hannah’s stupid jokes. The two of them getting along and spending time together without me around.
It’s a far-off dream, something that might not ever come to life, but for one night, I pretend it will.