“This is fun.”
“It is.”
“Thanks for inviting me,” she says, getting up and holding her hand out for me. Taking it, I get up on my own before I wrap my arm around her waist as she grins up at me.
“Anytime. I hope you’ll come more.”
“For sure. I’m down.” She flashes me a bigger grin as she runs off to block a shot Angie just took. As I watch them go back and forth, something inside me just breaks. Well…it doesn’t really break, it just gets bigger.
It’s my heart.
Yeah, I think I’m almost there.
But I still feel like Avery could be my first heartbreak.
And that bothers me.
Today was probably one of my favorite days so far.
Angie is a hoot and a delight to be around. Of course, Jace is a blast too, but Angie was just so much fun. I’ve always wanted a little sister, someone to love and love me back. It’s been something I’ve craved, and today, I got it. I was overwhelmed with it all. It was perfect.
As we drive back to Lucy’s office, Angie has so much to say. She is so energetic and so much like Jace, it’s crazy. When he asked me to come, I was a little nervous. I hadn’t had much experience with kids, but the moment I met her, it was like when I met Jace—we clicked. She is the yin to my inner-child yang, and I love her to pieces. I’m kind of sad we have to drop her off, and apparently, so is she.
Hugging me tightly as Jace puts her car seat back in Lucy’s car, she turns to face me after I kiss her cheek. “When do I get to play with you again?”
Tucking a stray curl behind her ear, I smile. “I don’t know. I am going to Jace’s game Friday. I think you’re going too.”
“Awesome! I am. I can’t wait. Jacey is the best hockey player ever!”
Giving me a smug grin, Jace nods. “Told ya.”
Grinning, I cup Angie’s face. “I’ve heard. I can’t wait to see. So it’s a date? Me and you?”
“Yes!” she exclaims as Lucy comes outside. “Mommy! Avery is coming to the game Friday.”
Doing jazz hands, Lucy catches Angie when she jumps into her arms, kissing her loudly on the cheek. “Awesome. Means me and grandma get to feel her out the whole game and embarrass Uncle Jace the entire time,” she says with a wink, and I grin back.
“Oh yay,” Jace says dryly while I giggle.
“Can’t wait.”
“Maybe we can all go to the dinner afterward, especially since Jude and Claire will be in town. We’ll make him pay,” she adds with a grin as she hugs Jace tightly. “I called Mom.”
I watch as he tenses up before pulling back. “What did she say?”
“She isn’t happy, but she doesn’t care who is there. She is there for you.”
“Figures. She didn’t seem broken up about it, did she?” he asks nervously. I have no clue what’s going on, but it doesn’t seem good.
“No. You know since she started dating Coach, she’s changed. I think she’s getting over him.”
“I hope so.”
“Doesn’t mean you should trust him, though, Jace,” she warns, and I feel like I should walk away. This is family shit, and since I’m not family, I should probably butt out. But then Lucy is talking again, and I’m too nosy to walk away.
Personality flaw, I know.
“He is gonna hurt you. He’s burned all of us.”