Total pages in book: 89
Estimated words: 86422 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 432(@200wpm)___ 346(@250wpm)___ 288(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 86422 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 432(@200wpm)___ 346(@250wpm)___ 288(@300wpm)
“You and your sisters are close,” I say as we navigate city traffic.
“Yeah. Even with the big age gaps. Lexi and I weren’t as close when I was Callie’s age, because she was already in university, but then we lost our parents and she stepped in, and yeah.” She shrugs and her smile is a little sad. “Callie and I were always close because we have the same dad, though. It was different for Lexi. She didn’t have the experience we did.”
“How do you mean?” I ask.
“Our mom and her dad split up when she was really young and I think it was hard on her. Mom was angry that it didn’t work and blamed Kristoff for not being present.” She sighs. “He still isn’t. He’s a New York lawyer and work focused.” She taps the armrest. “My mom didn’t openly bad-mouth him to us, but it was obvious she harbored some resentment, if that makes sense.”
“I think so? It’s like my parents, maybe? They fought a lot when they were together. Then they separated, and things weren’t tense all the time anymore.” The worst was the stifling silence that lasted days once the fighting ended.
“How old were you?”
“Like seven.”
“I’m sorry. That must have been so hard,” Fee says gently.
“Parts of it, yeah.” I tap on the steering wheel. “There was some custody stuff that they mostly tried to keep me out of, but once they were living in different houses it got better. I used to get a lot of stomachaches when I was young, and those stopped after they split.” It felt like a big loss at the time, but I still have both my parents and Fee doesn’t.
“Probably anxiety?”
“Yeah, from the fighting,” I agree.
“Divorce is hard,” Fee says empathetically.
“It can be, but my parents are happier apart than together,” I say.
“That’s good?” It’s more of a question.
“Yeah. For all of us,” I agree.
Fee is silent for a moment before she says, “I feel bad for Tally.” Her parents separated just before winter break and it’s thrown her for a loop. She’s been mostly focused on dance, school, and Flip Madden.
“Yeah, especially since her dad is in the public eye and everyone has a front-row seat to what’s happening in his life.” It’s not a high-ticket item in the hockey news sphere, but every time Toronto has a bad game, the media questions whether Coach Vander Zee’s personal life is a contributing factor.
“You know what that’s like because of your sister and Roman,” I say.
“Mm. I do. They’ve been really careful about not posting photos of Callie and Ariel on their public profiles.”
“To protect them from the media?” I ask.
“Yeah, they saw how hard my senior year was and just want to insulate them a little, I think. People can be harsh and careless with their words online.”
“Is that why you don’t really post your art on your socials?” Fee’s profile is mostly pictures of her art supplies, study photos, and still-life pictures, but not her actual pieces.
She seems surprised that I know this. “It’s part of the reason, yeah.”
I arrive at Callie’s school, so I can’t dig into that further. I pull into the parking lot and stop in front of the entrance.
“I shouldn’t be long.” She hops out and ducks her head against the blustery cold as she rushes toward the entrance.
I put the car in park and dig my phone out of my pocket. My guy chat is blowing up with messages.
Brody
Shit or get off the pot, dude.
Chase
^^^this
Gage
Maybe kiss her?
Chase
But ask first.
Gage
Obviously. Consent is king.
Brody
Or just tell her you don’t want to fake date her and you’d rather for real date her.
Gage
Gee, man, that’s some solid advice.
Brody
Mac
I’m working on it. We’re just picking up her sister now. Figured it might be better once we’re headed back to campus.
Brody
I’ll accept this.
Gage
For now.
Chase
Update us when you’ve made your move.
Fee returns a moment later with a pale, sad-looking Callie, so I pocket my device.
“Hi, Mac.” Callie climbs in, a plastic tub clutched in her hands. “Can you sit in the back with me, Fee?”
Fee grimaces. “Are you okay with that?”
“Of course. I got you.”
Fee joins her sister and I punch the address into GPS again before I leave the parking lot. It doesn’t take long to get to her sister’s condo. I park in the visitor’s space, and we take the elevator to the penthouse floor.
“Holy wow,” I mutter as she ushers me and Callie inside.
“Nice, right? This used to be Roman’s bachelor pad, but now it’s a family home.”
“Can I lie down in the living room and watch the hockey highlights?” Callie trudges to the couch, still clutching her bucket.
“Sure. I’ll get your blankets and pillow and some ginger ale.”
“Thanks.” Callie flops onto the couch with a groan.
Fee brushes her hair away from her face and presses her lips to her forehead, too. “You’re warm. I’ll get you something for the fever.”