Page 77 of Love and Other Chances

“Thanks for coming today, Teegan,” he says. His eyes fill with tears as he continues. “This would have meant so much to Angela. To see you. The fact that she knew and loved the girl that Brooks would wind up with . . . I can’t explain how much that means to me.”

I’ve officially lost the fight against tears now. He hugs me again before we join the others by the water. By the time I reach Brooks’ side, he’s already cracking jokes, retelling funny lake stories at Steven’s expense.

Julie leans in and speaks with a low voice. “It really means a lot that you came today. He never shows it, but I know this tradition is hard for Brooks. He typically glosses over everything, doesn’t really show emotion. That’s the closest to genuine grief I’ve seen him express.” Her smile is kind, appreciative as she holds my gaze.

“I’m glad I’m here too,” I reply before Brooks calls me over.

“Bet I can still beat you at skipping rocks,” he declares, holding up two flat rocks.

“You’re on, Murphy,” I say, brushing aside the heavy emotions so I can match Brooks’ need for playful energy now. Pretty soon, we’re all laughing and skipping rock after rock over the water’s surface. Steve comes out victorious with a masterful ten skips.

After an early dinner at their favorite lakeside grill, we part ways to drive back to Lee’s Summit. I share some of my memories of the lake trip I took with them, mostly teasing Brooks about how much he tried to show off water skiing only to lose every competition to Steven. We stop at Steve’s house to drop him off before Brooks will drive me home for the night.

I get out of the car to give Steve a proper hug before moving to the front seat. “Thanks for letting me join you today,” I tell him. His tight squeeze is his only response.

“Looking forward to seeing you again soon, Teegan,” he tells me before heading into the house. “See you in a little while, Brooks.”

Brooks and I get back into the car, and he asks, “Where to? You staying with your mom or dad or Amaya?”

“Dad. I’ll put the address into your map,” I say, taking his phone from him. I didn’t want to have to go home to my mom’s house and rehash the day’s emotional events with her. My dad is less likely to ask follow-up questions. “I would have stayed with Amaya, but she’s in Wichita visiting her mom for the long weekend.”

“I’m glad I got to meet her and Lana at your birthday party,” Brooks says as he backs out of the driveway. “It’s more fun being able to picture their faces and personalities with all your comments about them.”

I smile. “I only wish you could have met Mateo too. You would hit it off for sure. Hopefully we can make it happen someday.”

Brooks glances over at me. “We should fly out to D.C. and visit them.”

“Yes! That would be so fun sometime! I’ve only been out there to see her once,” I say.

“I mean, like, tomorrow,” Brooks says, voice picking up fervor. “It’s a long weekend for MLK day on Monday. We should fly out there tomorrow and back on Monday!”

“Are you for real?” I ask.

“Totally for real. What else do we have going on? Let’s just go!” he replies.

I know that this trip suggestion is probably a way of escaping the weight of this weekend. But I’m all for enabling his escapism if it means seeing my best friend.

“Ahhhh!” I scream. “Let’s do it! I’ll text Lana.”

Chapter thirty

LANA

Teegs, don’t you dare mess with me about this or I will disown you as my Beef

I’m dead serious. We really want to fly there tomorrow morning. The flights are pulled up and everything

LANA

YES!!!! omg I can’t believe I’ll get to see you!!

LANA

Sleeping arrangements won’t be ideal but we’ll make it work. We have an air mattress we can put in the small office and one of you can sleep on the couch. Unless you want to get a hotel

Heck no I don’t want a hotel. I want every possible minute with you

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