Page 60 of My Best Bet

As I drove, all the past hurt and anger and guilt completely slipped away. I just wanted to help. And secretly… it was nice to feel needed again.

I remembered back to the last time the boys needed me. They all got sick during a road game and were clueless on how to take care of themselves. I was so worried for them that I skipped practice and drove four hours to help. My coaches had been furious with me when I got back to Centre Ice, but I didn’t care. It was worth it to make sure they were alright.

When I exited the highway, I pulled into an old downtown area that had cute brick buildings and small-town vibes. People were walking around shopping and sitting at the cafe on the corner sipping coffees. Cornstalks were tied around all the lampposts and street signs, and colorful trees and skeletons decorated the sidewalks, adding to the festiveness.

As I continued driving past the downtown area, the surrounding houses all had a Victorian look.

When I finally reached Colt’s house, I parked and sat for a second, studying the home he chose.

It was beautiful and big, but still modest– not a mansion like his parents had. With dark blue side-paneling, white trim, and white window shutters, it had an old farmhouse look to it. His lawn was only half raked, so leaves still littered the ground, and the front of his house was decorated with large fake spider webs and a couple ghosts.

All in all, it was nice, but not much like the dream home we’d always talked about.

We’d always dreamed of buying a log cabin-looking home with a large porch. One overlooking a huge pond or a lake so Colt could clear it in the winter and we could all pond skate whenever we wanted. Colt would build a little shack for a warming area where friends could lace up skates and drink my special hot chocolate. We’d end each night chatting around a fire together and then go to sleep smelling like embers and marshmallows.

My heart swelled at the memory of our teenage dreams.

Hauling up the grocery bags, I made my way to the front porch and rang the doorbell, my shoulders scrunching against the cold. I was still in my coaching clothes– which were warm– but didn’t do much against the Chicago wind.

Kappy answered the door wearing sweatpants and no shirt. Taking in his pale face and weak grin, my eyes widened.

“Mer Bear to the rescue,” he said, opening his muscular arms for a hug.

“Oh God, get back inside.” I pushed him in the house. “The cold isn’t good for you.”

“But I’m hot,” he complained, grabbing the grocery bags from me.

Inside the large hardwood foyer, I reached up on my tip toes to feel his forehead. “I think you have a temperature.”

“Shit.” His shoulders fell. “You think we’ll be able to play tomorrow? I keep almost shitting my pants.”

I cringed against that mental visual and kicked off my shoes. “Let's see how you feel in the morning.”

“Finally, we have an adult in the room,” a voice groaned.

“JP?” I whipped around to view the spacious cream-colored living room which housed a comfy looking sectional. JP’s tall frame was curled up with about three blankets. His hair was still buzzed short, but he now sported facial hair, and he wore the glasses that he always swore he didn’t need as a teen.

“Good to see you Mer. You have soup?” He shivered. “I’m so fucking cold.”

I gaped at him. He talked to me like he just saw me yesterday, not ten years ago.

“Y-yes,” I nodded. “Hi,” I smiled warmly at him. “How long have you guys been like this?”

“Since yesterday,” he said. “I think it’s a stomach flu. Lu’s school sent an email about it.”

Taking in the information, I nodded. “I brought some crackers and liquid IV’s. Where’s Colt and Lucy?”

“Colt’s in his bathroom. Last I checked he was napping on the floor. Poor dude hasn't been able to get away from the toilet. Lu’s in bed sleeping it off because she was barfing all night. I think the two of them got hit worse than us,” JP said.

Oh God. My stomach twisted. Without hesitating, I bolted up the wooden staircase.

“Lucy’s second door on the right, Colt’s is third door,” Kappy called up.

As soon as I opened Lucy’s door, I knew something was wrong. The smell was overpowering. Taking a closer look, I realized she’d barfed in her bed.

Dipping into the hallway again, I searched the closet for some cleaning supplies and extra sheets. Part of me felt a little weird just rummaging through Colt’s house, but at the same time, he admitted that he needed help.

When Lucy woke up and realized what happened, she started crying and kept apologizing. She was weak and shaky, and clearly distraught about the accident. I wanted to comfort her so badly that I hugged her, despite the fact that it got some of the gook on me in the process.

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