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Logan isn’t big on taking instruction, but thankfully, he’s sensible, calls a cab and when the alert comes, he’s a good boy and leaves. The rest of us seem ready to make a move apart from Georgie whose expression is decidedly disappointed the night is over at ten p.m. Molly tosses Jolie her keys and asks her to warm the car up while she and Georgie go to the bathroom.
Before I call my own cab, I’ll make sure the ladies are safe. It’s not like Starlight Canyon is dangerous; it’s courtesy. Manners, I reason. But as I walk Jolie to Molly’s car, side by side, I know it’s more than that.
I’ve always had a soft spot for Joey. I can see her time away from the Canyon didn’t change her ability to speak her mind or defend her corner, and I know she’s capable of getting to the car alone. But I’ve always thought, even when she was just a little tomboy telling us she didn’t need help, the ones who say they need it least, often need it most, and I’m still thinking about how she changed the conversation when I asked her about her job.
We reach Molly’s car, and she fumbles around with the key fob that doesn’t want to unlock the doors.
I prop myself against the vehicle. “Are you coming to the game next week?”
She peers up from under her eyebrows. “I’ve been at all your games, Ashton. Every single one of them.”
She sounds… disappointed. I should’ve known she’d be there. “Course. You wouldn’t miss Lo.”
She presses the plastic remote harder as if that will make it work. “I wouldn’t missyoueither. I’ve roped my sister-in-law into all the games, too. It’s a full house in the box when you boys play at home.”
I flip my cap around so I can see her better in the dim light. “Maybe that’s why I couldn’t see your face.”
She stares at me for a moment, completely unreadable, then shrugs, turning her attention back to the clearly broken key and picks at its edge to get the manual one out from within its plastic shell. “Or you didn’t look.”
I’m partly bummed she thinks I don’t care and partly flattered she gives a shit what I think after all this time… After dating another famous pro-hockey player, after graduating from vet school, after growing into a goddess… a lot of time has passed, but I still care what she thinks, too.
“I had my head up my ass, I guess. Anyway, it’ll be nice to see your wild banshee face up there screaming for the Scorpions.”
Her head is still lowered, but her cheeks round. And she finally pulls the silver key out, lifts it, and wiggles it between us. “Well, you know I’m a die-hard fan. I’ll be there screaming ’til I’m hoarse.” She unlocks the car.
“Good.” I open the door for her but not wide enough for her to get in. Not yet. I find myself hanging on to the evening. Drawing out the goodbye. Being here tonight with Joey has been the mostmeI’ve felt since leaving all those years ago. “Your cheerleading makes all the difference.”
The low light of the lamp and the moon illuminate her face in an ethereal way. “I’m not a cheerleader.”
“Mascot? You still got the sting.” I flick my head in the direction of the bar.
“Bobby’s an idiot.”
“Seems like one.”
I lean on the car door, still blocking the way for her to get in. But it’s not like she’s making a move. “It’s nice to see that fire never went out, Joey.”
Her eyes lower again, gazing into thedistance but focusing on nothing in particular. Still, there’s something. Her body tells me she’s ready to get in the car, but I don’t budge.
“Everything all right?”
“Yeah. Why wouldn’t it be?” She smooths hair behind her ear.
“You just disappeared for a second there.”
She places her hand on the doorframe and pries it open farther, indicating it’s time for me to let her pass. “I’d rather not catch up on the last ten years and just... try to live for today. You know?”
Forgetting the past sounds like the most luxurious thing in the world to me right now. “I get that.”
“Good. Let’s just do that. Pick up where we left off. It was really nice being with you and Logan again like the good ol’ days.”
“Yeah, for me, too.”She has no idea.
She sits in Molly’s SUV, and I bend down to check the backseat. “Molly’s dropping you and Georgie off?”
She nods.
I tap the top of her car. “Text me when you’re home safe.”
