Me: There was nothing perfect about that amount of garlic. That was a vampire-repelling amount of garlic.
Liam: But did I die? No. Therefore, perfect.
Me: Your logic is flawed.
Liam: Your face is flawed. Wait, no. That came out wrong. Your face is perfect. I'm just bad at comebacks when I miss you.
Me: Get some rest. Big game tomorrow.
Liam: Can't rest. Too busy thinking about you.
Me: Liam.
Liam: Fine, fine. I'm going to bed. But I'm thinking about you there too. Just so you know.
Me: Goodnight, Liam.
Liam: Sweet dreams, Avery. I'll make you proud tomorrow.
Me: You always do.
25
Liam
I'm sprawled on the king bed in my hotel room in Minneapolis, texting with Avery. I hate being alone on the road.
Me: This hotel room is depressing. I miss you.
Three dots appear immediately.
Avery: You've been there for four hours. And aren't you rooming with Jake?
Me: No. Everyone gets their own room. Coach thinks it helps us focus. Spoiler alert: I'm not focusing. I'm just lonely.
Avery: Poor baby. Want me to send you a care package? Maybe some cookies?
Me: I want YOU. In this bed. Wearing nothing but my jersey.
Avery: Liam. You have a game in six hours.
Me: I'm aware. Doesn't change what I want.
I roll onto my stomach, grinning at my phone like an idiot. We've been doing this for weeks now. Constant texting, nights at my place where we pretend the outside world doesn't exist.
And it's been incredible.
But the more we get to the cup, the more road games, more nights apart, more time to miss her until it physically hurts.
My phone buzzes again.
Avery: Find a distraction. Watch a movie. Call your brothers.
That’s a good idea. I’ve been procrastinating calling Caden. I scroll through my contacts until I find his number.
This is stupid. He probably doesn't even want to hear from me. I'm the stranger half-brother who shows up once a year and brings expensive presents to compensate for being absent the other 364 days.
But then I think about Avery's words.Just try, Liam. The worst that happens is, it's awkward. The best that happens is you get your brothers back.
