Page 28 of For the Win

I stroll to my car, parked just around the corner.I pull out my phone to check for any messages as I walk.There’s one from my sister, Everly.It’s a chat group she created for us, with the whole younger Wynn family.

Mom and Dad went to the doctor today.

I stop short.My gut tightens.I tap back,

And???

I don’t know any more than that yet, but at least they went.

Okay, true.

I get in my car and head home.By the time I’m there, the chat has expanded with everyone asking questions and weighing in.

I’ll try to talk to Mom tomorrow.

Everly replies to all.

Ash is home and also got the message.

“Hey, where were you?”he asks.“Thought you’d be home from practice ages ago.”

“I went to yoga class.”

He stops in the act of stirring something on the stove.“What?”

I smirk and grab a bottle of water from the fridge.“Yoga class.They’re making us do it as a part of our conditioning program, so I decided I’d do an extra class.”

“The one on water?”His eyes widen.

“Nah.Dry-land yoga.Ha ha.”

He narrows his eyes at me.“Huh.”

“What are you making?”

“Ginger beef.Can you stir that rice?”He gestures to another pot.

I grab a spoon and lift the lid.“Why don’t you use the rice cooker?”

“You have to make a ton of rice in that thing.”

“Leftovers are good.”

“Yeah, but it’s a pain in the ass hauling it out.This works fine.”

“Whatever.That smells great.”

“Have you eaten?”

“I had a couple of snacks and a beer after class, but I can eat more.”

We talk about Everly’s message about Dad as we eat on the couch in front of the TV watching a sports news network.We’re both worried.My mellow mood from yoga is fast disappearing.

So I think about Arya.That cheers me up.We had a few bumpy moments, but I really like her and I feel pretty confident that she likes me too.Will she go out with me again?With my usual impatience, I wish I could text her and tell her I enjoyed spending time with her, but I don’t have her number.

I guess I’ll just have to wait and see.Damn.

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