Page 107 of Rinkmates

Rosalie fans herself dramatically. “It was the hottest summer on record, and I had to cool down every so often, if you know what I mean.”

“Weren’t you like thirteen?” Liora says, and I’m stunned she remembers how old my sister is. I only mentioned it once.

“I always liked older,” Rosalie says.

Liora looks at me and I roll my eyes. “I told you; she’s a pain in the ass. She always annoys my friends. Jay’s known her the longest and Rosie knows my friends are a no-go, but the minute you tell her ‘no’ she hears ‘yes.’”

I shoot her a warning glare.

My sister just winks at me. “Anyway, that’s when Riley and Jay became friends. They both attended Cornell University, since Jay moved there in his second year.”

I nod, picking up the story. “Jay got a scholarship. He comes from a small town in Suffolk County and had to work his ass off to make it to where he is now. So proud of you, man.”

“It’s nothing,” Jayce says, his cheeks suddenly red. He always plays his achievements down. As if it was pure luck that he got so far.

“It’s not. You’re a genius and you know it. We ended up being drafted together because of how well we played as linemates.”

“And now you’ve got your own house in the Hamptons, Jay?” Liora asks.

“Yes. It was the first thing I bought once I had some money to spare. I think it was always a dream to have a summer house there.”

“It’s just awfully close to my parents,” I grunt.

“It’s the best coast,” Jayce says.

As we pass through the gates and enter my parents’ sprawling mansion, a feeling of unease washes over me. My family’s always been complicated, and I know that the next few days will be a test of my patience again.

Jayce hops out of the car and grabs his bags from the trunk. “I’ll see you guys tomorrow,” he says, heading toward his house across the street.

“He’s not coming to the dinner?” Liora asks.

I scoff. “Hell no. Everyone who can avoid my parents does, and I’d be right there with them if I could.”

My sister heads inside, and I take Liora to the pool house.

It’s a cute little house with an open layout, comfy sofas, a fireplace made of stone, and a loft bedroom that looks out onto the pool. Everything is in cream and white. It’s nice but nothing against the big house.

“I hope you don’t mind staying out here. My parents kind of took over my old room and turned it into a yoga studio the minute I moved out,” I say.

“Are you kidding,” she says.

I watch her take it all in, turning around and looking at every corner of the pool house like I just brought her to a castle. If she’s this amazed by the pool house, I can’t wait to show her the main house. Hell, I want to show her the whole world. If this surprises her, imagine her face when she sees France, Spain, Italy, Austria, Japan—anything beyond this small pool house.

“This is beautiful. But why would anyone need their own yoga studio?” She turns, checking out the cozy kitchen on the side and the stylish bathroom.

Suddenly, she calls my name, snapping me out of my thoughts.

She smiles, the prettiest smile of all smiles. “What are you doing, Ri?”

“Honestly?” I walk over to her and wrap her in my arms. “Just looking at you. You’re what I think is beautiful.”

She blushes, and I lean in to kiss her softly on the mouth.

While I’m in the shower, I overhear her taking another one of those mysterious phone calls. Sometimes she sounds like she’s talking to a kid when she answers. I’ve asked her who it is, but she won’t tell me. I’m starting to get worried. I really hope she’s okay. Every time I ask my therapist what I should do, he tells me to be patient and show her I’m a safe space so she can open up when she’s ready. And that’s what I’m doing, even though it’s hard for me to be patient when I worry for her.

Thirty-three

LIORA

---