Page 89 of Pucking Your Best Friend

“Yes. We…” She sounded exhausted. “It doesn’t matter. We can talk about it at Christmas.”

Maddie frowned and her heart sank. She honestly didn’t know anything about Rachel’s life, did she? “Is everything okay, Rach? Are you okay?” she inquired softly.

“I’ve been better,” she replied tonelessly. “But thanks for calling. I think it might do me good to see you again. I’ve missed you, too.”

Maddie’s throat tightened. In her head, Rachel was unbreakable – proud, smart, and successful, not exhausted or sad. “Hey, if you need cheering up, I just found out that it’s fun to yell at the arrogant divorce lawyer down the street. Maybe that would be something for you, too.”

Rachel laughed her bell-like laugh that always reminded Maddie of her mother. “What did he do to incur your wrath? You’re known for avoiding arguments, after all.”

The corners of her mouth twitched. Maybe her sister knew her better than she let on. “Oh, he just insulted your questionnaire and compared it to astrology.”

Rachel gasped in outrage. “He didn’t!”

“Yes. And he saiddating agencies work as well as rain dances!”

“What an asshole.”

She laughed. “You don’t even know him.”

“I don’t have to. People who don’t believe in psychology and therapy always need both the most! His statements point to a psychological disorder that I would love to investigate.”

Maddie grinned. “Please tell him exactly that. As long as I’m right there to hear it.”

“Deal. Anything else new?”

“Well...” Her cheeks glowed and she suddenly felt the need to share something from her life, something that made her feel close to Rachel again. More like family. “...I have a boyfriend now,” she finally murmured.

“Really?” Rachel asked, surprised. “Oh, I’m so happy! It’s the first one since Clemens the Clown, right?”

She grinned. “Yes.”

“Who is it?”

“A…hockey player.”

“Oh no, you too?”

She laughed. “It turns out that hockey players are pretty cool guys.”

“I’ll believe it when I see it. But okay. I have to go now. Thanks again…for the kick in the ass.”

“Anytime,” she replied softly. “Then, til Christmas?”

“Christmas it is,” Rachel replied warmly and hung up.

A relaxed smile spread across Maddie’s face and she lowered the phone — but only so she could type better.

I yelled at my dad. And I told my sister to get her ass over here.

Matt’s response promptly followed.

Badass. I’m proud of you.

She smiled and wrote back:My knees are knocking and I feel like I’m going to faint at any moment. I almost think it’s good to argue sometimes.

True. Unless it’s about my dirty laundry.

She laughed and her heart filled with warmth and apparently helium, too, because it became incredibly light.

---