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“And I wasn’t there.” I pick at a streak of dried wood glue near the base of the box. “And now, she won’t answer my calls.”
Lucy looks at me earnestly. “Maybe because all you’ve given her so far are reasons she shouldn’t be upset.”
“But I said I was sorry.”
“Then give her a minute to believe you mean it.” Lucy reaches over and pulls my hand away before I can damage the wood. “And don’t turn this into you being the worst person alive. That only makes her hurt about you too.”
“I don’t know what I’m supposed to do.”
“You’re supposed to be proud of the letter, but also be sorry you missed her taping. Then, when she’s ready, listen to what her day felt like for her without explaining what it felt like for you.” She shrugs. “It’s give and take.”
Tires crunch over the driveway behind us. A car door shuts, followed by another, and a familiar Southern voice carries toward the garage.
Lucy glances outside. “Please tell me you didn’t invite more people over for your Milli Vanilli listening party.”
“I didn’t invite anyone.”
Owen appears first, carrying a pizza box. Tripp follows with his hands in his pockets, his attention already fixed on the squirrel house sitting on my workbench.
“So it’s true,” Tripp says.
I follow his line of sight. “What’s true?”
“You’re building homes for Snow White’s animals now.” He walks around the workbench, examining the box from every angle. “Thinking about starting a side business?”
“I built one squirrel box.”
“That’s how every great empire begins.” He reads the small plaque I attached beneath the entrance. “Thomas Estates. Exclusive housing for Alexandria’s most discerning rodents.”
Owen sets the pizza beside it. “Roof’s good.”
Tripp looks offended. “Don’t encourage him. He’ll be doing custom kitchens by Christmas.”
“You two drove all the way over here to make fun of a squirrel box?”
“We heard about it at practice,” Owen says.
“From who?”
“Everyone.”
I look at Lucy. “Did you tell the entire team?”
“No, but I wish I had.”
Tripp presses his thumb to the roof as if conducting an official inspection. “This thing is sturdier than my first apartment. Cool, soon you can focus on expanding into birdhouses.”
I open the pizza box and take a slice. “Why did you bring this?”
“Celebrate the newest member to our leadership,” Owen taunts as he reaches for a slice. “But also, Thomas has an open house so we wanted to be supportive.”
“It’s funny cause it’s true.” Tripp laughs before he turns serious and offers me his hand. “Congratulations, Snyder. Really. You earned it.”
The words catch me off guard, especially coming from him. I shake his hand. “Thanks.”
Lucy takes a slice and points it at me. “Don’t inflate his ego too much. He still needs to beg Eva for forgiveness.”
Both men look at me.
