Page 3 of Set the Moment
Cleo
I love you, but I’m transferring to SFU. I know things have been tougher for you here, too. You should think about it.
Talked to Dad and he’d love to see you again. Gloria, too.
I smile at that. Cleo’s stepmom, Gloria, makes mean empanadas and handles everything like a boss. Maybe moving wouldn’t be such a bad thing. It could be a fresh start, a new me? I need a plan.
“Listly, you better not fail me now,” I say aloud as I make a list, opening the app on my computer.
Lists are what keeps me from losing my marbles on a daily basis. I have morning routine lists, life goals lists, and even bathroom checklists.
If it can be a list, I probably have it.
Every good list needs a name. I type all of the things that I’ve always wanted to try, but was too scared in the past to do it when the name hits me.
If I’m going to do this, I’m giving it my all. What better way than to get it all done by my birthday?
“Sienna’s 21 before 21,” I say as I type the words at the top of the page.
By New Year’s Eve, I’ll be a new me.
one
Jace
– three and a half months later
“Youbetterworkit,girl!” My shout is loud as my non-biological niece, Delilah, prances across the stage of her first ever dance recital. Like a proud mom, I hold my phone sideways with one hand and pump my fist in the air with the other to a sound mix of classical and pop instrumental music.
“You’re doing great, Deli!” my best friend, Blake, shouts from beside me in the same exact pose as me and the rest of the hockey team. I snicker quietly at how stupidly embarrassing we all are.
Tonight’s Delilah’s first ever dance recital, and we’re all here to support our number one girl. However, her father, Derek—my best friend—is not here yet. I find it funny how the asshole made it his mission to instill the art of time management into the skulls of twenty-one hockey players, but he himself is nowhere to be found.
The thought of him not showing up for his daughter does something to my protective nature, but I know Derek. He’d never bail on anyone, especially his kid. None of us would. In the three years since we’ve met, Delilah has become the niece to all players on the Summerfield University Men’s Hockey team.
“Dude, oh my gosh…I don’t know how my mom did all that cheering for me at my Peewee games. My throat is dry.” Blake frowns, taking his seat. I follow behind him, chuckling as he blows out a deep, exasperated breath.
The idiot looks crazy dressed in his “funcle fit” consisting of a #1 Uncle tee shirt, cargo shorts, black fanny pack, and Birkenstocks, topped off with a red flannel thrown over his shoulders.
“You look ridiculous,” I say chuckling as Blake smiles, running a hand through his hair. “I know you do but, what do I? Wait…” He furrows his thick brown brows.
“Fucking idiot.”
A hand on my shoulder pauses me from laughing at Blake. Charlie Tyson, one of my teammates, pops his head in the space between Blake and I’s heads.
“How does it feel to officially be moms like Momma bear?” he asks in reference to Derek, gesturing to our semi-matching outfits.
“Puh-lese…I pull this look off better than—”
“Did I miss it?” A deep, hurried voice cuts my sentence short.
Derek Perez looks like a man who has seen better days. His usually tamed hair is a mess of damp curls around his head, the usual day-old stubble on his face has been replaced with a light beard, and he’swet.
“Why are you wet…” I grimace as he takes the empty aisle seat beside me, saved for him.
“The hell happened to you?” Blake’s bright blue eyes furrow as he looks the giant up and down.
“And why the fuck are you late?” My tone bites as my blood rushes through my veins hotter. There should be absolutely zero reason he missed Deli on stage.
