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“Watching the game. I’ve become invested in the team and Liam isn’t home yet. I’m still getting used to sleeping in this place. Don’t get me wrong. It’s an amazing apartment, but it doesn’t feel like home.”
“I miss having you and Crew with me too, but it’s for the best. We couldn’t live together forever,” I say to her, even though I wish we could’ve. For some reason living with them allowed me to put a certain part of my life on hold. Skylar was broke and pregnant when we met. I couldn’t abandon her back then. We became good friends and after she moved in, raising Crew with her fulfilled a part of me because I didn’t want to have kids of my own. I didn’t want a relationship. I was helping Skylar get on her feet since she had no family to support her, and I wasn’t lonely either. It was a situation that worked.
“Still though,” she sighs. I hear her take a breath. “What are your plans for the offseason?”
I exhale. “This is the first time in years I don’t have to worry about school or working. I’m taking an extended vacation.”
“Really?” Skylar sounds surprised. “Where would you go?”
“Europe, I’ve been on short vacations there, but I’d love to take the time and explore, plus I signed up for this program to work in children’s hospitals in remote areas that have shortages of PTs. I have it all planned out. They’re expecting me. I wasn’t able to nail down an arrival date because I didn’t know when the season would end. Now that it’s over, I’m going home and booking my travel arrangements,” I state cheerfully.
“Good for you, Patty. I’m a little jelly you get to just take off. Are any of the girls going to join you?” she asks of my group of girlfriends. No one has time off now except Ellie, and she can’t afford to join.
“Nah, this is something I need to do on my own. I’ve always been in school and had commitments. I want to do me for a while,” I explain.
“I’m always proud of you,” Skylar says and then she pauses. “Just heard the door open. Liam must be home. He hated having to sit the rest of the season out.”
“You got a good one there,” I confirm.
“I do,” she agrees, and her voice sounds so lovey-dovey it makes me cringe. I don’t ever want to be like that.
“Have a good night. Say hi to Crew and give him lots of hugs from his aunt Patty,” I remind.
“Will do. Drive safe,” Skylar says.
We end the call and I head into my apartment. It’s quiet and dark. I actually don’t like living alone. Maybe that’s why I want to hightail it out of here. Skylar and Crew brought good times to this place. There was always laughter and now things are too quiet. I don’t really know my neighbors, so it feels like there is nothing left for me in Brooklyn.
Even though I’m exhausted, I take a hot shower and wash my hair. As I leave the shower, my phone pings with a message.
Evan: I figured you would be awake.
Me:I am. Tough blow tonight.
Evan:Definitely. What are your plans now that the season is over?
Me:We aren’t friends, Evan. Why are you asking that question?
Evan:We are friends. You just don’t know it yet. Now play nice and answer the question.
I blow out a breath.This guy.
Me: I’m going to Europe. Country hopping.
Evan: Sounds like you need a partner for that.
Hell no.
Me: I’m flying solo.
Evan:Sounds like a terrible idea. If I hadn’t committed to going with the guys to Florida to do some golfing, I’d be joining you on your European adventure.
Me:You aren’t invited on my European adventure because we aren’t friends.
Evan:Are you always in this much denial?
Me:I’m beginning to think you’re delusional.
Evan: On the contrary. I’m seeing life very clearly now.
