“Sure, you do, Jace. And why haven’t I heard from you?”
I roll my eyes at him. “’Cause you have a wife.”
“Hey,” Baylor complains, smacking my shoulder. “You love me.”
“I do,” I say as we hug tightly, and I can’t help thinking that I really lucked out on the sister–in-law gig. My former brother-in-law, Lucy’s ex-husband, was the biggest douche canoe I had ever met, and I was only ten when I met him. I knew then he wouldn’t last, but the moment I met Baylor, and even Claire, I knew they were the other halves to my brothers. I’m closer to Baylor, though, but that’s just because I haven’t been able to spend time with Claire the wa
y I do with Baylor. I sometimes see her more than my brother.
Which is sad, actually.
“I’m just saying,” I add, squeezing her once more as I make eye contact with Jayden. “She calls me for lunch. You do not.”
“That’s only ’cause she’s been training at the university with her dad.”
I give him a speculative look at his accusation and shake my head. “Whatever, I don’t have guilt that I don’t see you, but apparently you do.”
Jayden protests. “Please. No guilt here.”
“Well, I have guilt. Come here, brother hug,” Jude says, wrapping his arms around the both of us. “No sisters allowed!” he adds while Lucy flips us off, and everyone is laughing except me. I don’t think they understand how much I miss them, and I’m absorbing all the love my brothers are showering me with. I never thought I’d miss living in their shadows, but I do. I sort of miss them making fun of me, picking on me, and bossing me around. I don’t know; it’s just been a weird couple years.
“Losers.” Lucy’s voice holds no trace of humor, but everyone laughs anyway. It’s common knowledge that my sister is a bitch, and after all that’s happened, I don’t blame her. She’s an interior designer trying to find her way and single mom with a deadbeat ex-husband. I just wish she could be happy. That maybe someone would come along to show her what real love is like. I doubt she’s looking for him, though. I’m pretty sure we are on the same page about love.
It’s dumb.
Soon, my mom is calling us all to the table and we head toward the dining room. I’m thankful because any more of the hugging and greeting shit and I was going to scream. I hate the reminder that I don’t see these people daily like before. As I cut through the living room of my old family home, I notice my bags are packed and by the couch. “Mom, you packed my stuff?”
“You said you were leaving today, right?” she calls from the kitchen.
“Yeah, but I was gonna do it after dinner.”
“I had time,” she says, waving me off, but I know she didn’t. She did it because she is always moving. She’s never just chill; she won’t allow it. She works a full-time job as a teacher, she runs this household, and she worries constantly about all of us. Ever since the divorce, she has changed. She used to be this thick, fluffy, happy woman, but now she has lost all the fluff and thickness—and even the smile. She isn’t the woman I remember, and I wish I could bring my mom back. I just wish she’d take it easy. Find something other than her kids to make her happy.
“Well, thanks,” I call out as my niece jumps on me, and I catch her easily. Looking every bit like her momma and nothing like that douche, Angie grins at me as she hugs me tightly.
“I don’t want you to leave.”
I nod. “I know, but now we won’t be fighting over the TV.”
Her eyes light up as she hugs me tightly. “Oh yeah, but I’m gonna miss you.”
“I’ll miss you too.” I kiss her cheek before putting her back down and taking her hand. “You like school?”
“Yeah, my teacher is nice and things are cool, but I want to play hockey, Jace. Like you guys. Talk to my mom; Jayden is already trying to convince her.”
“I got you,” I say with a wink and a little guilt weighs on my chest. This summer was the last summer I had at home with Angie. I’ll be leaving soon, just like everyone else. While it’s everything I want, it’s kind of a scary thought.
“Awesome! I’m gonna play like you, and I’m gonna be the best.”
“Angie! You know I’m the best,” Jude hollers and she grins sheepishly as Jayden snorts.
“Please, I’m the best.”
But then Baylor holds up her hand. “If you want to base your play on anyone, it should be your awesome aunt who is the first girl in the NHL.”
Angie’s grin falters a bit before she glances up at me and I nod. “It’s okay. We all know I am the best. They are all haters.”
“Haters gonna hate, hate, hate, hate, hate,” she sings and I nod.