Page 256 of Saving Forever with the Hockey Captain

"Did he ever make you feel like your dreams didn't matter?"

"No."

"Then why are you punishing yourself?"

The words hit harder than I expect. "I'm protecting his future."

Keisha tilts her head. "Or are you protecting yourself from believing someone could actually choose you?"

I don't answer, because I can't. She already knows.

"You've spent your whole life believing everyone else's future matters more than your own."

A tear slips free before I can stop it. "I thought I was doing the right thing."

"I know." She smiles sadly. "And one day you'll figure out whether those are the same thing."

Before hanging up she points at the screen one last time.

"And eat dinner."

"I had lunch."

"Annette."

"I'm going."

"Good."

The screen goes dark. For a long time, I sit there staring at my reflection, wondering if I've spent my whole life confusing sacrifice with love.

***

Week Four…

Friday evening.

I'm halfway through reheating leftover soup when my phone buzzes across the kitchen counter.

Incoming FaceTime — Sadie

I smile.

That's unexpected.

The moment I answer, Sadie grins.

"Hi!"

"Hi."

She glances off-screen.

"I think we're ready."

Before I can ask what she means the screen shifts.

Brooke squeezes into view. "There she is!"