Page 98 of On the Line

I glance once more at Drew, whose eyes are now focused on the door Audrey just went through. Then I find Graham, who is trying to catch my girls as they go down the slide. I hustle across the lawn to him. “Hey, bud,” I say, “your mom needs to see you inside.”

He complains a bit without outright refusing to go, then insists on giving both Iris and Ivy a hug. I haven’t told him he’s leaving, but it seems like he gets that sense.

“What’s going on?” Jules asks as she approaches. She must see the concern written across my face.

“I’m not sure,” I say quietly because I don’t want Graham to hear me. “Audrey saw Drew Jenkins—he’s a new player for the Rebels,” I clarify because Jules actually goes out of her way to avoid hockey, “and now she’s hiding inside and wants Graham to come in so they can leave.”

Jules swallows so hard I’m surprised she doesn’t choke. “Okay, well we drove together, so I’ll go too,” she says to me. “Graham, let’s go, bud.”

I glance over at Jameson, who’s still engaged in conversation with Colt, but Drew’s no longer there. My eyes scan the yard, but I don’t see him anywhere.

“I’ll walk in with you,” I tell her, as Graham sprints ahead of us and into the house.

When Jules and I get inside a few moments later, Drew is kneeling down talking to Graham. Audrey’s arms are folded across her rib cage and the look on her face makes it clear that she’s not thrilled about any of this.

When Graham says, “I’m five and I’m in Kindergarten,” Drew glances up at Audrey, and from this angle it’s easy to see the confusion written across his face.

“It was good seeing you again, Drew,” Audrey says. Her voice holds a certain level of finality—a permanent goodbye.

“Audrey,” he starts, rising quickly to his full height. “We need to talk.”

“We really don’t,” she says as she squeezes Graham to her side.

“We do.” His words leave no room for negotiation. “And we can either do it here, now, or you can give me your number and we can talk later. But we will be talking.”

I’m not sure how to interpret the look that crosses her face, but she doesn’t look pissed. Jules moves to step forward, but I grab her wrist and hold her in place. I know Jules would never let a man talk to her that way, and Audrey is strong yet looks . . . interested?

“You can get my number from Lauren,” she says. “We’re leaving.”

“I’ll call you tonight. Make sure you answer your phone.”

A scoff bursts out of Audrey. “Oh, like you did all those times I called you when you moved to Vancouver?”

“Audrey . . .” Drew says, his voice placating.

“Don’t ‘Audrey’ me. I will answer my phone if I can. And if not, I’ll call you back. That’s what people normally do when someone’s left them a message. Or twenty.” Now she sounds pissed off, and she spins on her heel and heads toward the front door with Jules hot on her heels.

“Who was that, Mommy?” Graham asks when they make it to the front door.

“He’s no one,” Audrey replies right before the door shuts behind them.

My eyes meet Drew’s and he’s visibly upset. The way he looked at Audrey when he heard Graham’s age, and then Audrey’s comment about leaving him twenty messages and him not returning any of them . . . I’m trying not to jump to any conclusions, and failing.

“You want to help me carry the s’mores supplies out, please?” I ask Drew.

He shakes his head like he’s trying to clear his thoughts. “Yeah, sure.”

We head to the kitchen island where two large platters with graham crackers, chocolate bars, and marshmallows sit.

“So, how do you know Audrey?” Drew asks as he picks up a platter.

I hold up my left hand so he can see my engagement ring. “Future sister-in-law.”

“Wait . . . Audrey is . . .” he says, and I watch him work this out, “Jameson’s sister?”

“You didn’t know that?” I ask.

“I had no idea.”

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