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I’ll scream it from the top of Kings Stadium, for all I care.
Wow.I really suck at pep talks.
But I’m going to give it a try anyway.
I fluff my hair, fix my boobs, and think about spritzing my favorite body spray, but considering I’m still not feeling great, I’m gonna have to forgo that one.
“You look cute,” Brynn tells me as she pours coffee in her to-go cup. “You got a hot date?”
“I’m going to try to talk to Ares before he meets the guys for ice time today.”
Brynlee looks slightly impressed. “What about Nixon?”
“It’s about time I dealt with my family. He’ll probably be one of the easier ones to handle, so fuck ’em.”
“Vicious, good twin. I like it. Good luck.”
Not really vicious. More like so unbelievably fried that my give-a-fuck meter just might be irrevocably broken.
“Thanks, Brynnie.” I grab my keys and phone and stuff them in the pocket of my maxi dress, then head down the hall and knock on Ares’s door.
Jesus. This man knows how I taste.
Why am I so nervous that I think I’m going to be sick again?
When the door opens, it’s Caitlin—not Ares—on the other side, and I guess I’m still not over her twatty little move from yesterday because I walk right past her into the condo. “Is Ares in his room?”
“Shit. You don’t know?” she asks, and genuine concern seems to have replaced whatever thought she was having a moment ago.
“Know what?” I ask very carefully, not liking the sound of this at all. “Where’s Nixon? Is everyone okay?”
“Hey, good twin.” Nix walks into the room with a bottle of vitamin water in his hand. “You okay? You’re looking kinda... green.”
“What don’t I know?” I ask them both as the nausea grows. “Where’s Ares. Where is he?” I reach out for Nixon. “Is he all right?”
“He’s fine, Grace. But his dad died last night. They all flew up there first thing this morning. Everly and the kids too. She probably hasn’t had a chance to call yet.”
I freeze for a moment, thinking of how Ares must be feeling, but then find the only words that come into my mind. “Oh no.”
I reach for the chair to steady myself as the room starts to spin. “I’ve got to... I gotta go.”
I turn for the door, and Nixon follows me down to my condo. “Let me come with you, Grace.”
“I’m fine, Nix. I just can’t shake the flu, and I’m going to be sick.” I push through my front door and head straight to the bathroom, not bothering to shut the door.
A minute later, Brynn walks in with another wet washcloth. “You need to make a doctor’s appointment. What if this is something else? A new strain of something? They might be able to give you antibiotics.”
I wipe my mouth and sit back on my ass. “I’ve got to get to Maine, Brynn. Ares’s dad died. I’ve got to get to him.”
“Oh, Gracie. That’s horrible. But okay—let me take you to the urgent care first, then to the airport. Let them give you a scrip you can take with you. You don’t want to be puking on the plane.”
If I’d been honest about Ares from the get-go, he’d have been in my bed last night when he got the call. I would have been there for him, helping him through this instead of finding out hours later.
“Come on, good twin.” Brush your teeth and pack your bag.”
“Thank you,” I tell her, surprised I’m able to stand under the heavy weight of my guilt. “I appreciate it.”
“What do you want me to tell Nix?”
