Page 83 of Wild About You
My chest tightens. “I’m sorry I wasn’t there.”
Old wounds threaten to derail this night, so I add, “I’d like to see Everly graduate high school and maybe go to college. Hockey and seeing that she gets an education—that’s about all I’m capable of dreaming of right now.” A hesitant smile tugs at my lips. “And you. I always dream about you.”
She finally smiles in a way that has me hoping the night isn’t ruined. “Have you talked to her about college yet?”
“No. I keep meaning to. I will.”
“Soon,” she adds. “She should apply to several. The sooner, the better.”
We spend the rest of dinner catching up but avoiding anything too heavy. Talking with her feels so easy, so good, but the underlying tension from earlier hasn’t totally dissipated.
I know I hurt her and I’m not sure if she’s ever going to truly be able to forgive me for it.
I think about the other things I dream about, things that are more like fleeting thoughts than actionable items. I am busy, and Everly and hockey are all I can focus on right now, but the truth is, I do want a family and to get married someday. I just know that the person I want all those things with is her, and I’m not sure she’s ready to hear all that.
* * *
When we get back to the house Ash is watching TV in the living room. Piper and I take a seat with him.
Ash looks over and grins at us. “Hey, lovebirds. Where have you been all night?”
“Dinner,” I answer, and nod toward the TV. “New season ofThe Bachelor?”
“Yeah. This poor guy is dealing with some crazy drama already on night one.”
“I’m pretty sure he knew what he was getting into,” Piper says.
I lean back and throw an arm around the back of the couch. Piper snuggles in next to me. It’s nice. We sit like that until the front door opens and Everly comes inside.
“Hey, how was the game?” I ask, giving her a once-over in her Park Academy shirt. I’ve never seen her with so much team spirit before.
“They won.” She takes in the scene in front of her. “I’m gonna go to bed. Night.”
“Wait,” I call before she can head up. “I need to talk to you.”
She looks nervous but eventually nods. “Okay.”
“I think I’ll head up, too. Night, all,” Piper says, then shoots me a look that I hope means she’ll be in my bed instead of her own tonight.
Everly takes a seat in the spot Piper just vacated. “What’s up?”
“I keep meaning to talk to you about college. Piper said you might be interested in attending this fall.”
“Oh.” Everly fidgets with her hands in her lap. “Maybe, I’m not sure.”
“College is a blast,” Ash says. “Why wouldn’t you want to go?”
“More school is a blast?” she asks him.
“A few hours a day of school, but all the rest of the time is one big party.”
I cut him a look. “Not helpful.”
“Sorry,” he tells me, but then looks at Everly and mouths, “Huge parties.”
“You should at least apply. That way you have options. Do you have a list? Are there ones you want to go visit?”
“I filled everything out online, but I need help from Mom with the financial aid stuff.”
