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I smirk but keep it under my hand due to respect for my friend.
“We would be brothers by now, man, because I would have married your sister.”
He punches me on the shoulder. I am expecting it, but it still stings.
“I’m still not over you taking her to prom twice, dude,” he says, now truly angry. “She never really got over you, man.”
“Really?” I ask, surprised, feeling my shoulder and looking at him like a hopeful child.
Dan nods. “Don’t get cocky though. She never actually talks about you. She does wilt if we mention you, or you appear on TV. You disappointed her, man.”
I’m the one feeling defeated and crushed. “I was an idiot. I’m sorry dude,” I say, putting my head in my hands.
“You better be.” He looks at me sideways. “But it’s not me that you need to apologize to.”
“I know,” I mumble, my mood ruined.
“What’s stopping you?” Dan shrugs.
But do I deserve it?
“Why didn’t she come? She likes hockey,” I ask innocently.
“She’s holding down the fort,” Dan says, puffing up with pride. “She’s my store manager, pretty much my right hand for everything.”
“Nice.” I smile.
She wanted to go to school for literature though, so I can’t even picture her working in management.
“What does the store sell?”
“Remember how dad always talked about opening a sports equipment place?”
I nod, remembering. “You’re selling sporting goods now?”
He nods, enthused, searching for another picture on his phone, likely of his store.
“It’s just one store so far, but we’ll be opening a second and third starting next year. And if everything goes well, we’ll even be sponsoring a hockey team from the juniors.”
“Whoa, that’s impressive.” I lean back, recovering my breath. “I'm happy for you, Dan. You've found your path, and I've found mine. We're both in a good place.”
But is Emily?
Chapter Four
EMILY
Emily
My heart quickens when I think of Andrew, but I just shove that feeling aside.
Seeing him again and having him ask about Alissa was just too much. I need some time and space right now and all I want is to focus on work and my daughter.
In time, I will figure out how to handle Andrew being around again.
Dad and my brother are spending the day watching his team practice. I close the store and try not to think about Andrew, but it’s tough.
Heading back home, I get lost in thought. I never left my parent’s house. At first, it was just them giving shelter to me while I was pregnant, but later it turned into a deliberate choice. I do want a place of my own, but I’m grateful for my parents’ help with Alissa right now.
