Page 131 of Playbook
I consider texting him. Maybe I could take a picture of it, break the ice that way? I snap a pic but delete the text before I send it. He wanted space, and I want to honor that.
Sierra’s words are still floating around in my head though. Show up for him. Make sure he knows I’ll be there for him when he’s ready.
I tap my thumb on the envelope and then an idea hits me.
As soon as I get home, I run into Alec in the kitchen. He looks at me with wide eyes that tell me I must look like a woman on a mission. I am. A mission to show the man I love just how much he means to me.
“I need a favor.”
THIRTY-FIVE
“Thanks for coming.” I get to my feet as Sabrina stands in front of the outdoor table. I decided meeting outside of the apartment might be easier and less awkward.
“Of course.” She clutches her purse to her side and takes a seat across from Archer. My best friend is glaring at my maybe sister.
“This is my friend, Archer,” I tell her. “Archer, this is Sabrina.”
“His brother,” Archer corrects me. He doesn’t usually care what I call him: friend, brother, teammate, but he’s staking a claim right now and while I find it mildly amusing, Sabrina looks confused.
“Wait, did they put you up for adoption too?” She looks at me for answers and my throat tightens.
“No, they didn’t, but I went to live with Archer and his family when I was fourteen. He and his brothers took me in because things were bad at home.”
I take a drink of my water. This is going to be harder than I thought. I haven’t talked about my family in years, and of course she’s going to have questions.
“Do you want something to drink?” I ask, tipping my head to the inside café.
“Yeah, I think I’ll grab a coffee.” She starts to get up, but Archer pushes back and stands first.
“I got it,” he says tersely. Fuck. I hope he doesn’t spit in it. He pauses and it looks like it physically hurts him to ask, “Cream and sugar?”
“Yeah. Please.”
With a nod, he goes back inside, and Sabrina and I settle into our chairs.
“So…” My leg bounces under the table.
She places her hands on the table and taps her fingers. “So…”
Sabrina breaks first, smiling and then laughing. “This is awkward.”
“So awkward,” I agree.
“Look, I didn’t badger you for months because I thought we’d be automatic besties. I know this is a lot and you must be surprised to see me or to know I exist. I wasn’t sure until I started trying to contact you if you were even aware you had a sister, but I’m guessing now you didn’t know?”
“Definitely not. How’d you find out?”
“My parents never kept it a secret from me that I was adopted, but it wasn’t until about six months ago that I started feeling like I might want to find my birth mom and dad.”
“Did you find them?” I ask. Maybe she hasn’t reached out to them yet and I can save her the heartache.
“I haven’t been in contact with them if that’s what you mean.”
I don’t know what I mean. This whole conversation is so bizarre.
“I sent a letter, but never heard back.” She shrugs. “Then I found you and I realized I cared less about them and more about knowing you. Maybe we didn’t grow up together or have the same circumstances, but I felt like I had to meet you. My parents are my parents, ya know, but a brother…” She trails off. “My parents didn’t have other kids, so I guess I liked the idea of having a sibling. I’m sorry. I’m not explaining it all very well. It just felt important that I meet you.”
Archer reappears and sets her coffee down on the table in front of her.
