Page 60 of Silver Player

“So, you took her bowling?” I question to lighten the mood.

“She says she’s never been. What kind of sacrilege is that? Who hasn’t been bowling as a kid?”

“I’ve told you. Theresa had schedules and timelines, and fun wasn’t on the list.”

“You know, I hate to say it, Roxie, but Sadie sounds like she’s better off with you.”

My heart aches. I loved my sister. She was a wonderful mother in her own way, but Billy’s sentiment has crossed my mind a time or two. When has Sadie been a child?

“Where is there a bowling alley near here?” I ask, hoping to bring the subject back to something simple. I haven’t been bowling in years myself.

“Just outside of town. Bing-Bowl.” Billy cringes as he says the name, and I somehow know it might not have been the most reputable place. “I don’t want you to worry. She never left my sight.”

“You can’t watch her every second. I understand that. Besides, she’s not a toddler. She’s a teen.”

“Speaking of going places,” Billy starts, his knuckles scratching up his throat and his hand cupping under his chin. “I invited Sadie to Thanksgiving at my parents’. Sadie and you. A real Harrington tradition. It’s going to be swell,” he mocks. I’m surprised by the invitation, which includes me, and I realize this will be the moment. The big reveal.

“Don’t you think you should introduce Sadie to your family without me? They’ll have questions and…” She’s family, and you’ll want to show her off to your family.

“I don’t think I can do it without you, Roxanne.” The honesty in his voice nearly floors me. “I need you to be there for me. For her.” He clarifies again, and my head tips.

“I’m not sure that’s such a good idea,” I whisper, my eyes lowering for the collar of his shirt. I don’t want to intrude although I also don’t want to spend the holiday alone. It will be Sadie’s and my first without Theresa.

“It’s going to be amazing,” he whispers, his voice deepening as he lowers his face to mine, forcing me to look up at him. There’s a gleam to his eye as though he’s teasing me, and then I recall Sadie saying she had an amazing time with him tonight.

“Amazing, huh?”

“Amazing,” he repeats, and then his lips come to mine, and suddenly, I’m not certain we’re still talking about Thanksgiving being the amazing thing.

23

Sisterly love

[Billy]

“You’re dating Roxanne McAllister?” my sister says as she enters my office for her locker.

“Not exactly, it’s just—”

“I thought you hated that woman.” She pauses for a breath. “Then again, hate is a rather strong word. You strongly disliked her.” Mati places a hand on her hip. She might be smaller for a Harrington, but she’s fierce, and her current body language imitates our mother, who is a force. “Is this one of those enemies-to-lovers things?”

“We aren’t lovers,” I choke.

“You aren’t enemies,” Mati corrects, hiking up a brow in question.

“No, we’re…friends.” It isn’t exactly how I’d describe us. She feels like more than a friend to me. Do friends kiss? Maybe friends with benefits. But do friends think about the other all the time? Do friends count down the minutes until friends can see each other? Do friends’ fingers twitch to touch wet folds again or do their tongues swell wanting another taste? “How did you hear such a thing, anyway?”

“When did this happen?” Mati asks, ignoring my question with her own. Her back is to me as she hangs her jacket in her locker and grabs her black waitress apron. Most of the waitstaff slip their order pad into a back pocket or memorize the order, but Mati likes the apron for her things.

Mati coaches the girls’ high school volleyball team for our alma mater, and she’s in the thick of state playoffs, which is a big deal for her. I’ve told her to take some time off, but she assures me she wants to work.

What am I going to do all day? Think about the playoffs? Work is a distraction, she told me.

I can think of other things more productive as mindful distractions. Roxanne comes to mind immediately.

“Mati.” I swallow, my throat dry. “Can I tell you something?”

My sister looks up at me with eyes that match mine. “You okay?”