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“You asked for the details,” I reminded her with a glare. “The other night I asked her why she hated me, and she answered, likely because she was half asleep. She told me I asked her to the Autumn Harvest dance that night.”
“You! You were the reason she was finally excited to attend a school dance? Excited that someone had finally asked her out?”
I nodded and dropped my head in embarrassment.
“Apparently.”
Her eyes widened in shock. “Apparently? You don’t remember?”
“Nope.” It was an admission I didn’t like, but it was the truth.
“Unbelievable.” She shook her head in disgust, or maybe it was disappointment—either way, my sister who usually looked at me like I was hero was not happy with me. “You really were a jerk,” she mumbled to herself.
“Hannah, I didn’t tell you so you could judge me. I need you to help me remember.”
“Oh, well then, please, big brother, let me refresh your memory about that time.” Her sarcasm was unnecessary, but Hannah was a drama queen and she wanted to make a point. “Kara broke up with you at the end of the summer because she was leaving for college and didn’t want to be tied down to a kid. Remember her telling you that?”
I nodded. “It’s not something I could forget easily.”
“Not as easily as you forgot about Teddy,” she growled.
“Hannah, please.”
“Sorry.” She flashed an apologetic grin and took a seat across from me. “Well, the weekend of the dance, Kara came home from college because her dad had a heart attack. She called you sobbing her eyes out and you went running, the way you always did.” She shook her head, this time her disgust was evident. “You were a fool over her, always were, and I hated it. Now I hate it even more because it nearly cost me my friendship with Teddy.”
“Her father had a heart attack, Hannah! What did you expect me to do?” My words were full of emotion as the memories flooded my mind.
“Tell her you were just a kid and couldn’t console her during such an adult time. You weren’t friends, Cal, you were exes, and you hurt someone else just to be with her.”
“I thought I was being a good guy.”
“No, you thought you could get back with her, but did you? No. As soon as he was better, she went back to college and I’ll bet you never heard from her again, right?” I nodded and she snorted. “Glad I nearly lost my best friend over it.”
“It was years ago. She can’t possibly still hold it against me. That’s ridiculous.” I knew some people never got over high school trauma, but this wasn’t a trauma. “It was one damn dance.”
“After years of you calling her ugly duckling and every other name in the book, you kissed her, Cal. You asked her to a dance and then you never showed up. Never even bothered to explain why you didn’t show up. You didn’t do anything. How do you think that made Teddy feel?”
“Like I was intentionally cruel.” Now it made sense. “That’s what she said to me.”
“Then leave her alone, Cal. If I lose her this time because of you, I won’t forgive you.”
I smiled even though her words caused an ache in my belly. “You won’t, because Teddy and I are going to become friends.”
“Doubtful,” she laughed. “But I can’t wait to see you try.”
“Why?”
Hannah rested her chin in both hands, smiling mischievously like she used to as a little girl. “Because I think it will be fun to watch you chase after a woman for a change. It might do your ego some good.”
I frowned. “What’s wrong with my ego? It’s healthy for a man of my age.”
“Bull. You haven’t chased after a woman since Kara because they all flock to the handsome and charming doctor.” Her tone was mocking, and her eyes filled with devious laughter. “And Teddy isn’t as impressed with you as most women because she knows you.”
“She doesn’t,” I growled. “She’s based her whole opinion of me on one act of stupidity.”
“One act on top of years of making fun of her for not having curves, for wearing glasses, no boobs, braces, long skinny legs… should I go on?”
“No,” I groaned. “You’ve made your point. I have my work cut out for me.”
“Yep.” She grinned. “And if you really have changed, Teddy will forgive you and maybe wait more than five minutes before leaving a room after you enter it.” She crossed her fingers, a hopeful expression on her face. “I’m rooting for you, big bro, even though the odds are not in your favor.”
“Gee, thanks. After all this abuse, I expect the best smoked trout of my life.”
Hannah laughed and served up lunch, giving me time to think of Teddy—a woman who took up far too much of my mind these days.
