Page 48 of Riding the Pine

Even the mention of it sends shards of ice-cold fear into my bloodstream making me shiver.

“Sorry.” She reaches a hand across the table to give mine a squeeze. “I didn’t mean to upset you.”

I shrug. “You know, I’ve been upset as fuck since it happened, and a complete stereotype, Vannah. It’s made me reconsider everything. My life, where it’s going, who I’m going through it with, what I’m doing, what I’m not doing.” I knead my chest, but the pain of the last few days still splinters into my heart.

“Eh, no.” She holds up her hand. “I’m all for taking stock, but you’re not allowed to clear out your bestie, okay? I will not be replaced.” She folds her arms which pushes up her epic tits in her sweater. “Stop ogling my boobs and promise you’re not interviewing for my replacement.”

She’s kidding, but there’s a flicker of insecurity in her eyes that tells me on some level she may actually think that’s possible.

“Never going to happen. I couldn’t find a better applicant than you, bestie.”

She flicks her hair like Alexis Rose on that Gif everyone likes to use and blows me a kiss. “If anyone’s going to cure the world of anything, my money’s on you, Athena de la Peña.”

I wince at the surname attached to my name, but she doesn’t seem to notice.

“And not because you’re your father’s daughter, but because you’re the smartest, most determined, and capable woman I know. And none of that’s because of your surname. Putting your privilege to work to help someone else is always a good endeavor, Hen. Father aside.” She makes a face as though there’s a bitter taste in her mouth.

“Your family is super altruistic. Your brothers have always been so good with the team and helping people out. It makes sense that you’d be a champion of women.” She nods. “I like it a lot. And if you want to hide behind someone to take all the creditfor your hard work so you’re not in the spotlight.” She hooks a thumb at her chest. “I can totally take one for the team.”

There’s a flutter in my chest at the prospect of helping women on the most basic human level. It sets off a chain reaction that lights up my whole soul. I guess I’ve found what I want to do. And if I could figure out how to help the wives of cheating asshole husbands, that may be next on my list.

I can’t save the whole world, but maybe I can save someone’s world.

CHAPTER 20

Scott

NYE/DECEMBER 31ST 2022

It’s been, like, five whole days since I saw Athena, or rather, since she saw me. I went home to see Mom for a couple days, and she’s been at the hospital. We keep saying we’ll catch up, and I know we will, I’m just… impatient.

I saw her in Bitches Brew with Savannah a couple days ago, overheard her talking about how much she wants to change the world and leave her mark on something, and while it made me so proud, it also scared the ever-loving shit out of me.

I’m seeing her any minute. I’m not sure how much these guys paid the staff here at the hospital, or donated to the hospital itself, but they’re letting us in for like an hour to celebrate New Year with Edith.

She’s pretty depressed at everything going on, and I get it, if I was in a car one minute and the next, I woke up and couldn’t play hockey… fuck. It doesn’t bear thinking about. It really doesn’t. I can’t imagine not being able to walk, never mind skate.

I’m sure she’s glad to be alive and all, but Apollo says she’s sinking fast, and she’s going dark. He thought maybe if a few of us got together around her bed and helped her see in the New Year, it might cheer her up.

Athena’s due any minute. Last New Year’s Eve, the de la Peñas threw a massive party. They fucking love a party, and Athena wore a sparkly black number that almost made me swallow my goddamn tongue.

Tonight’s low-key, though. We’re allowed in from eleven thirty, to half past midnight, giving us enough time to watch the ball drop, have champagne flute glasses of apple cider, and snacks.

We’re not wearing fancy clothing. In fact, Ares has bought us all matching PJs to wear as that’s something Edith can enjoy, too. And she’ll be tickled by the fact we all had to go into the outside world dressed in matching onesies.

A goddamn onesie. Doesn’t Ares know how cold it gets when you need to piss in one of these things?

Anyway, do I kiss her at midnight? I don’t, right? We haven’t even had a discussion about what we are or where we’re going to be. Right after the car crash trauma doesn’t seem to be a smart play, so I’m giving her the time and space she needs to come down from the adrenaline and cortisol drowning her system right now.

It’s all good, I’ve waited a million years, what’s a couple more weeks?

Fuck. Weeks. My stomach hurts. My balls are blue. And we head to Belfast, Northern Ireland for a few days.

I can’t bail on my team, even if it is a trip for exhibition games. And rugby. One of the guy’s cousins plays on a women’s rugby team there, and rumor has it, he got us all comp tickets for the game. Can’t wait to eat all the food Northern Ireland has to offer and cheer for my teammate’s cousin in a sport I don’t understand.

But also, I’d love to stay behind and repeatedly empty my balls in my girl.

Shiiiiiiiit.

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