Page 92 of O Goalie Night
No suitcase. No clothes in the closet. No Beth.
The silence weighs heavily on me as I walk back into the living room to find Ben looking unimpressed.
“Well?”
“She’s gone.”
“What do you mean ‘gone?’”
I run my hands through my hair, pulling at the roots in frustration. “I mean, all of her stuff is no longer here. She must have come home after school and packed up everything.”
“Where did she go?”
Wheredidshe go? She doesn’t know many people in the area yet and the rental she secured isn’t available until the New Year. I remember that she’s hung out with Kim a couple of times and am about to text Alexei when something in the kitchen snags my eye.
On the island countertop rests a piece of light blue snowflake paper and I snap it up, my eyes recognizing Beth’s handwriting.
Foster,
I’ve decided to stay with Tamara for a few nights. I’m sorry for not talking to you about it first, but I was afraid you would try to talk me out of it. It’s still a compromise, but at least it’s on my terms.
Just like you don’t want to come between me and my family, I don’t want to come between you and your team. So you focus onhockey, I’ll focus on my family, and we’ll figure out everything else together.
I hope this doesn’t read like a goodbye letter, because that’s not what this is. Despite the fact I’m leaving, I promise you’re not losing me.
Good luck in Tampa. I’ll be wearing your number and cheering you on.
Love, Beth
I read the note three times, the pressure in my chest easing but not disappearing entirely.
I promise you’re not losing me.
Then why does it feel like exactly that? I’m proud of Beth for standing up to her family and choosing her own path. But at the same time, I can’t help feeling frustrated with myself for ever suggesting she leave. I want her here—with me.
Ben stalks into the kitchen. “Well?”
“She’s staying with her coworker, Tamara.”
He doesn’t hide his irritation. “But I told her I’d pick her up and she could stay with me.”
I shake my head, my patience officially spent. “Yeah. You told her, Ben. Maybe if you’d asked her, she’d have told you she didn’t want to do that.”
“Fine,” he scoffs. “As long as she’s not staying here, with you.” He turns to leave but stops and turns back. “Just to be clear, you’re going to stay away from her.”
“Absolutely not.”
“You listen to–”
“No, you listen to me.” I push away from the island, facing him head on. “Your friendship has meant a lot to me over the years. It made me feel less alone and I never meant to take it for granted. I didn’t mean to fall for your sister, but it happened and I’m not sorry. Beth healed a part of me that I thought would always be broken. As long as she wants me, I’m going to be here. Because I’m hers. I’m sorry if that upsets you, but at the end of the day, it’s not about you.”
I stand there, half expecting him to take a swing at me. I don’t care if he hits me. If he does, the pain probably won’t even register.
He swallows hard, then turns and walks toward the front door. As soon as the door closes, I pull out my phone and text Beth.
Foster: I got your note. Take as much time as you need, love. I’m not going anywhere.
CHAPTER 36
