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Nodding, I say, “Yeah, but only once. A storm hit just outside Chattanooga. I stopped and waited it out.”
“Good call,” he says, nodding.
“Yeah, but…” I blow out a breath. “Besides that one incident, the ride down here has been pretty uneventful.”
“Good, good.” Pointing back to the trunk, he asks, “Is your suitcase in there? I can carry it up to the house for you.”
I break into a grin. “Suitcases, you mean, plural. And yes, they’re in the trunk.”
Using the key fob, I pop it open.
Chuckling, Arden heads to the back of the car, where he easily lifts out my bags.
Though they’re both oversized and packed to their limits, I still have to sigh and say, “Pretty sad that my whole life fits into two suitcases, huh?”
Arden pshaws. “Oh, stop, Ellie. You have stuff back at Mom and Dad’s house. This isn’t all you own.”
He’s right, but my life in Chicago, brief though it was, does indeed fit into two bags. There’s no denying that.
But now is not the time to dwell on the past. I’m here to start a new chapter, one where I plan to have a little fun before I decide exactly what I want to do next with my life.
As my brother and I head into his house, I share with him that I was able to catch some of his game.
I, of course, don’t mention how I was lusting hard over Nils while I sat and ate my burger and fries, wondering all the while what he tastes like.
Yeah, I don’t think Arden would want to hear about that.
Nor would he approve.
So I focus instead on when the game went into overtime.
“Hey,” I say, nudging him with my elbow. “That was a great goal there at the end. Way to go.”
Setting my suitcases down in the entry hall, and looking quite pleased with himself, as he should, he replies, “Thanks, Ellie.”
Softly, I say, “I know how much it meant for you to get the winning goal against that team.”
My brother took it so hard that he flubbed a shot, one that could have won the Thunder their playoff game and the series that round.
I’m happy when his blue eyes meet my turquoise ones and he says, “Yeah, I can now truly and completely put that loss behind me.”
I know he means it.
Arden told me how Willow played a big part in him moving on from that missed shot, but I know my brother, and I’m certain he felt he needed to prove something to his teammates.
Namely, that that bad chapter is behind them all.
It is—it’s a new season.
Really, it’s a new season for all of us.
Arden yawns, and I’m reminded of how late it is.
Shit, I’m tired too.
“Hey,” I begin, “let’s get some sleep. We can catch up more tomorrow.”
“Yeah, sounds good,” Arden mumbles as he stifles another yawn. As he picks up my suitcases, he says, “Follow me, Ellie. Willow and I made up a bedroom for you just down the hall here on the first floor. Ours is upstairs, so we were thinking this way you’ll have your own bathroom and some privacy.”
