Chapter Twenty-Four
Dash
“Do you think we scared her off?” Max eyes me with concern, a deep V forming between his brows.
Davina watches Ruby and Beck swiftly exit the suite. “Aw, she was so sweet, too.”
“I say you’re doing well for yourself, brother.” Danica slaps a hand on my arm and smiles up at me. “She’s really pretty and it’s good to finally see you with someone nice.”
I blink down at her. “Why did you say it like that?”
Her nose scrunches. “Well”—she drags out the “l”—“Sarah wasn’t exactly the most pleasant person I’ve come across. Just saying.” Her hands fly up in a helpless gesture.
This new information coming from one of the most ruthless people I know surprises me. “Sarah was nice...Right?” I glance at my other sisters and my mom, who can’t quite seem to meet my eyes. “Are you guys saying you didn’t like Sarah?” A weighty pause. “You never told me.”
“Yes, I did,” Danae points out. “I said good riddance after the fact, remember?”
“I thought you were just trying to make me feel better about the breakup.”
She shakes her head. “Nope. I literally meant good riddance. She was bossy and not very likable.”
For the first time in quite a while, I think back to when Sarah and I were dating. My sisters hardly got to spend much time with her, aside from when she was able to accompany me home for the occasional holiday.
“Don’t you remember that time we went out to eat on Christmas Eve,” Danica starts, “and the waiter brought her a salad with the wrong dressing?”
“How could I forget.” Davina scoffs.
“She gave the guy a lecture all about his poor listening skills and why he needed to step it up.” Danica crosses her arms. “It was embarrassing.”
That day plays out in my mind, but I don’t remember that happening.
“You were in the bathroom,” Danica adds as if reading my thoughts.
“Was she mean about it?”
“I wouldn’t exactly say mean,” Danae joins in. “But definitely condescending.”
Pieces of my time with Sarah collide with this new information.
All the times she tried to change me, whether it was my choice of clothing, how I spent my time off, or what we got to eat, affirms my sister’s opinion.
At first, I liked how Sarah knew her own mind, but the constant need to foist her own ideas and wishes onto me grew tiresome.
Especially when it came to her future plans. The ones I didn’t fit into.
“And that’s why we’re saying we like Ruby a lot better.” Danica places a hand on my shoulder. “She seems super sweet, even if a little introverted.”
“She is that.”
“So,” Max starts. “We did scare her off, then?”
“I don’t think so. She may just need some time to process the introductions. I’ll check on her later.”
Which is what I do as soon as I get back to the hotel after spending time with my family. I send her a text at close to one a.m., then ease my body onto the freshly made bed in my suite, replaying the events of the night while I hope she responds.
It was great to see Max. He’s one of those people you don’t realize you miss as much as you do until you get to spend time with them. The Max-shaped hole he left behind aches now that he’s back on a plane headed to Denver.
My phone pings with a text. I grab it, excited to hear back from Ruby, but it’s not her—it’s Danessa.
Danessa: Starting a new sibling group chat since Davina changed her number.
Davina: Yes, yes…it’s official! I have graduated from Mom’s phone plan to one of my own like a big girl…
Danica: That felt pointed.
Danae: Ouch.
Davina: Not casting any judgment. Just saying…got the big girl job, had to get a big girl phone.
Danae: Are you saying that being a librarian isn’t having a “big girl job?”
Davina: I’m not even going to dignify that with a response.
Danae: Some of us enjoy living at a slower pace. It allows for more downtime. More relaxation.
Danica: Your idea of down time means becoming one with your mattress while you binge read and live off shelf-stable snacks.
I push a hand through my hair and sigh. Now I feel the need to play mediator, as is usual with my sisters. Before I can, another text comes through.
Danessa: Come now, children. Let’s all play nice so Dash doesn’t suddenly block our numbers.
I take that as my cue.
Me: Hey, sisters.
Davina: Yo, bro!
Danica: Heyyyyy
Danae: I’m renaming the chat.
A new title appears a few minutes later. Ye Olde Sibling Group Chat
My smile is instant.
Danica: *eyeroll*
Davina: So…now that we’re talking sans Mom again…what’s the real deal with Ruby? Are you guys dating? In love? About to elope to Vegas?
Shaking my head, I type out a response.
Me: We’ve gone on one date. Not yet in love. Not yet eloping.
As if I’d ever live it down if I tried. Pretty sure Max would rearrange whole flight schedules just to play best man should the need arise. My mind begins conjuring images of Ruby in a wedding dress, walking toward me, smiling as if I hold the key to her future happiness.
I blink the mental image away when another text comes through.
Danae: Of course they’re dating. Did you see the way he looks at her? If I had to guess, I say they’ve already kissed!
Danica: Ohmygosh. You guys KISSED?! How was it?
Danessa: Ew, stop. I don’t want to hear details. I just want to know if we’re allowed to have her number so we can invite her out to a girl’s day while we’re here.
I run my tongue along my teeth. Is handing Ruby’s number over to my sisters a good idea? If she was overwhelmed by meeting them, what would happen if she were to spend an entire day with them?
Mom would like to know, Danessa clarifies via text.
Me: Please tell Mom that I’ll have to ask Ruby. I can’t make that decision for her. I’ve got to get to sleep right now, though. We’ll talk tomorrow. Love you guys.
Davina: Night, bro. Love ya!
Danae: Love you, Dash. Night.
Danica: Until tomorrow, then! Keep us posted!
I drop my phone onto the bed and scrub both hands down my face. I should’ve known it was too late to get a response from Ruby when she works tomorrow. Plus, meeting my entire family in one fell swoop was understandably a bit much.
Guess I’ll be trying to snag what sleep I can and wait to talk to her tomorrow.
***
Saturday brings a fresh wave of pain along with it. I spend some extra time doing physical therapy in the morning, still clinging to the hope that my shoulder will hold up for an entire season. If the pain keeps intensifying, I may need to meet with Kevin and Coach when I return to Utah.
But the thought of skipping out on my contract early has my stomach souring. I head out of the practice facility, mulling over what would need to take place should that exact thing happen.
At least I’ve got some time to consider what my next steps will be.
Except…Ruby has become a complication I didn’t plan for. The best kind, obviously, but a complication, nonetheless. After our date, I’m even more convinced that I want to ask her to continue this relationship long distance. I have no idea how she’ll react to that, but I have to try.
Her kiss left a brand on me I won’t soon forget.
I don’t want to forget it. I want to be the only one she kisses, ever, from now until we take our last breaths.
Too much, too soon? Probably. But I haven’t felt like this with anyone.
Even with Sarah, things took a long time to progress.
With Ruby, it’s like a flame ignited the moment we touched.
Dousing it early isn’t an option for me.
All I want is to add more fuel to the flame.
I just need to know she feels the same.
When I gingerly lower myself into the rental car and check my phone, I see a text.
Tinsel: Hey. Sorry, I had already fallen asleep when you texted me last night. And no worries about your family, I enjoyed meeting them! I’m at work today, so I may not be able to respond right away.
Dash: Glad you enjoyed meeting them. I know they can be a lot, but they were wondering if you might want to tag along with them on a girl’s day while they’re here. If you don’t want to, I promise I’ll cover for you. Tell them you’ve got work or something. Just say the word, Tinsel.
I debate sending something more flirty and less businesslike before giving in.
Dash: By the way, I’m still envisioning you from last night. You looked way too good in my jersey.
Her reply pops up a few seconds later.
Tinsel: Guess you only have yourself to thank for gifting me the jersey.
I do love it, though. As for the invite from your family…
I’m not sure. On one hand, I’d love to spend a day with them and get to know them better.
On the other hand, I’m terrified they’ll get to know ME and see that their brother/son could do a whole lot better.
And I don’t say that to fish for compliments, I’m genuinely just… terrified, haha.
I know she tacked that haha on the end to make light of the fact that she’s scared. But I want her to know she can be honest with me without turning it into a joke.
Dash: You have no reason to be terrified, Ruby. You’re gorgeous, kind, funny, and so lovable. My only fear in you spending time with them is that they’ll want to adopt you too. Then I’ll never get to see you again while I’m here.
Little dots appear to indicate she’s typing out a reply.
Tinsel: No chance of that. I intend to spend whatever time I can with you before you leave me for good.
Leave her for good?
Does she seriously think I’m only in this for the few weeks I’m here? Sounds like we need to have a conversation about where all this is leading, but I’d rather not do it over text.
Dash: When can I see you again?
Tinsel: I get off work at five.
Dash: I’ll pick you up.
Tinsel: See you then, Hockey Boy.