Jules didn’t even know Frankie had a friend coming to town but she’d had a great time with Sydney when they’d gotten drinks and watching the game with her, despite only knowing her for such a short amount of time, had been fun.
It was a last minute decision to book the trip to Halifax, Sydney informed Jules, then wasted no time giving her a detailed briefing of her history with Frankie.
They’d met in college and became fast friends, were linemates for four years, won two national championships together, almost kissed once at a party before realizing how weird it would be given they were not attracted to each other in the slightest, and had been best friends ever since.
It was simple, to the point, and it was a comfort to Jules, knowing that Frankie hadn’t been alone after college, at least not when it came to family. Because Sydney was as good as family and the pride on her face when Frankie stepped onto the Harbour bench the first time that night made it very clear.
“Isn’t she though? That’s what makes her so much fun.” Frankie laughed and gave Jules a kiss on the forehead. “Come on,Juliette, let’s go entertain her for a couple of hours before I take you home to make me feel better about losingtoday. I promised Syd a greasy breakfast tomorrow morning so I want to make the most of tonight.”
Jules grinned and hugged Frankie tightly. “Lead the way, Romeo.”
As promised, they’d spent the next two hours at the same bar around the corner from their condo building that they’d already been to as a trio. This time, Sydney had gotten more than a little bit tipsy from the drinks the tattooed bartender gave her for free.
“She’s not Josephine,” Sydney whined as she tipped back one of the complimentary shots.
“Josephine?” Jules mouthed to Frankie who could only shrug in response.
“I don’t know why she won’t just commit to ussssss and let me tell the world. I would be an amazing girlfriend. You know I would, right Jules? I’d be just like Frankie, and I bet Frankie is an amazing girlfriend.”
Jules couldn’t meet Frankie’s eye when Sydney said it, though her cheeks flamed it the mention of a defined label. The ‘girlfriend’ conversation hadn’t come up in conversation yet so Jules couldn’t really answer the question the way she wanted to, even though she knew the answer was yes.
She knew Frankie would be an amazing girlfriend and that’s exactly what Jules wanted her to be but they’d skipped right to I love you before discussing an official relationship. How absolutely cliche of them.
When the night came to an end, Jules left Frankie and Sydney in the elevator so Frankie could head up to her own condo and get Sydney settled with some water and some Advil.
“Fifteen minutes and I’ll be at your door,” she told Jules, giving her hand a squeeze as Sydney swayed on her feet beside them.
“Goodnight, Juliette,” Sydney slurred. “Thanks for letting me borrow Romeo.”
Jules changed out of her clothes and put on pajamas then got the shower ready, knowing Frankie would want one after such a long, taxing day. A knock on her door made her smile and she pulled on a robe and gave herself a once over in the mirror near her front entryway, running her fingers through her short hair.
To her surprise when she opened the door, it wasn’t Frankie standing in the hallway.
“Hi.”
Her brother stood before her with his hands in the pockets of a faded pair of sweatpants that had to be at least five years old – the logo from a team he played on during his early days in the league cracked and worn just below the waist line. He looked exhausted and absolutely miserable.
She knew the loss that night would’ve hit him hard but he always bounced back. Hockey was a season full of games and never just one game. There was always another chance to perform better, a chance to win, that was the motto.
It didn’t look like he was living by that now.
“Can we talk?”
Chapter 34
It crossed her mind to let things play out longer, to make her brother sweat for days. It’s what he deserved after reacting the way he had but Jules sighed, opening the door wider and stepping aside. She wasn’t that petty, even if the look in his eyes the day before cut deep.
He stepped inside and she closed the door behind them then walked to her small kitchen table and took a seat. She hardly ever used the table, preferring to eat or work at one of the island stools or the couch, but given what she and Frankie had been doing on her couch when Cam walked in on them and caused all of this mess, it didn’t feel right to sit there now.
“I didn’t know if Frankie would be here,” Cam said, lingering by the kitchen island.
“She’s coming by later. Her friend’s in town and she got a little drunk tonight so Frankie just wants to make sure she’s okay before leaving her alone.”
“Ah, gotcha.”
He rocked back on his heels then took a deep breath and joined her at the table. He pulled out a chair and set it down right in front of her then took a seat and rubbed his hands back and forth on his thighs.
It was awkwardly silent for a moment or so before he blew out a breath. “I’m sorry,” he said.
