Page 144 of Lucky Shot
“It was, for sure. How’s Aidan? Is he in fifth grade this year?”
“Yeah. Somehow.”
“Goes fast.” Briggs gives me a reassuring grin. “Mary is in fourth and EJ started preschool. They’re so damn cute at that age. His backpack is bigger than him.”
My chest lifts with a laugh as I picture Aidan at that age. Damn. It feels like just yesterday.
When our laughter dies off, his expression takes a serious edge. “How’s your dad?”
“Good. He’s doing good. Thanks.”
“I’m glad to hear it.” Briggs’s dad had a scary bout with cancer last year and he’s made it a point to check in with me a lot ever since my dad’s heart attack. He knows what it’s like to care for a parent, maybe better than any of my other friends.
“Yeah, thanks, I appreciate you being there for me.”
“Of course. If there’s anything you need, let me know.”
As appreciative as I am of the offer, the reminder of my dad’s health has anxious energy strumming through me. He does seem better, but no matter how good he’s doing, I can’t help but worry about the future. Picturing a world without him plain sucks.
“Did you and Trav get out on the ice a lot?” Briggs asks and I’m happy for the change of topic.
“Did I hear my name?” Trav steps up to join us. He hands me a beer, then grins at Briggs. “How’ve you been, Briggsy? I missed you this summer. And your wife. Is she here?”
“She’s home withourkids.”
Trav’s smile doesn’t falter. “So you’re saying there’s still a chance for me?”
“I see you haven’t changed a bit,” Briggs says to him.
“Never.” Trav smiles with all his teeth bared. “But you know who has had atransformativesummer?”
Slowly his gaze slides to me with his smirk firmly in place.
“Oh yeah?” Briggs looks at me with renewed interest. “I feel like you left out some important details in our catch-up.”
Before I can answer, Trav does it for me. “He met a girl.”
Briggs’s brows shoot up.
I pop open the beer and take a sip. “I’m going to pretend not to be insulted by the shocked look on your face.”
“I’m sorry.” He schools his expression. “But you haven’t dated anyone seriously the entire time I’ve known you.”
“Ruby’s different,” Trav adds in an almost taunting voice.
“Okay. Enough out of you,” I tell him.
“Ruby, huh?” Briggs doesn’t miss a beat.
Looks like I’m having this conversation. I shoot a glare at my best friend, then nod. “Yeah.”
“Is she here? I’d love to meet her.”
“No, she lives in Arizona. She was only here for the summer.”
“Ah, bummer. Maybe I can meet her the next time she’s in town.”
I’m grateful that Travis doesn’t pepper in more fun facts because the few words I’ve said already have me feeling unsettled. Look, I’d love to shout about her from the rooftops, tell everyone about her and how fucking great she is, let them and her know how goddamn in love with her I am. But I can’t tell them before I tell her.
