The idea is both terrifying and appealing. “What if they don't want that? What if they think I'm an asshole for staying away all these years?”
“Then at least you tried.” Her hand comes up to cup my face. “But I don't think that's what will happen. I think they'll be grateful that you're making an effort.”
“When did you get so wise?”
“I'm the older sister, remember? Even if it is by a minute.” We both laugh. “I know about complicated sibling dynamics.” She smiles. “Sadie and I fought like crazy growing up. But we made it work because we kept trying. Even when it was hard.”
“Your situation is different. You and Sadie actually like each other.”
“Now we do. But we didn't always. There were years where we could barely stand to be in the same room.” She leans down and kisses me. “My point is, relationships take work. But they're worth it. And those boys are your brothers. That meanssomething, even if your relationship with your mom and John is complicated.”
I pull her down against me again, needing her close while I process this. “I'll think about it. You're really good at this, you know.”
“At what?”
“Making me think about things I usually avoid. Being honest about shit I usually bury.” I press a kiss to the top of her head. “Thank you.”
“You don't have to thank me for listening.”
“Yeah, I do. You make me want to be better, Avery. Not just at hockey or managing my reputation, but at everything.”
She's quiet for a moment, and when she speaks, her voice is thick with emotion. “You make me want to be better, too. Braver. More willing to take risks.”
“We're quite the pair.”
“Yeah, we are.”
We lie there in comfortable silence for a few more minutes, the morning sun starting to stream through the windows, warming the room.
“We should get up,” Avery says eventually.
“In a minute.” I'm not ready to let go of this yet.
“The day is wasting away,” Avery says.
“Or—” I roll us so she's beneath me, grinning down at her. “We could stay in bed a little longer.”
“Tempting. But you promised me a day in Toronto, and I'm holding you to it.”
“Fine.” I kiss her nose, her cheeks, her mouth. “But shower first?”
“Together?”
“Obviously.”
The shower takes longer than necessary because I can't keep my hands off her. By the time we're clean and dressed, it's after nine, and my stomach is growling.
“Room service?” I suggest, already reaching for the menu.
“On the balcony,” Avery says, pulling open the curtains to reveal the morning sun streaming in. “It's beautiful outside.”
We order enough food for four people and take it out to the balcony. The October air is crisp but not cold.
Avery curls into one of the chairs, and I take the chair beside her, close enough that our knees touch.
“So,” she says, stealing a strawberry from my plate. “What's the plan for today?”
“I was thinking we could be tourists. Hit the CN Tower, walk around the Distillery District, maybe grab lunch at St. Lawrence Market.”
