Page 59 of The Comeback

I take advantage of her distraction to snag the remote and turn the tv back on. I give in and switch it back to the crappy movie she was watching. The bland couple is kissing with zero chemistry with snow falling around them and the whole town watching.

I groan. "This is terrible, Ari. How can you watch this shit?"

"You're terrible and you're not distracting me. Who are you in love with?"

"Doesn’t matter." My arms are crossed, and I'm leaning away with all the don't ask question vibes I can manage. My sister has never been one to respect my boundaries though.

"If you tell me, I'll watch the rest of the dragon movie with you." She pleads, batting her eyelashes at me.

"Fine. It was Abby, but it's over. Not happening. End of story. We had a thing." If only the ache in my chest would get the picture. I've gotten my shit together back on the ice and I'm happy to say I'm playing better than I ever did before but it all feels a little empty without her there cheering me on.

"Abby???" Her eyes mirror mine, except excitement is sparking gold glints among the browns and greens. "Like. Abigail McCloud? Your former bff? No way."

"Ouch." I rub at the shoulder she smacked. It's just a reflex. Her tiny hands couldn't hurt me if she put all her force behind it. "I'm pretty sure you were told a million times that hitting isn't nice."

She scoffs. "As if that hurt. But Abby. What happened? Did you do something stupid? Of course you did. You better not have hurt her. I love Abby. She could totally be my sister."

My laugh has a bitter edge. "She's not going to be your sister. We broke up. If we were even ever dating."

"I don’t understand. Explain."

"We ran into each other. She needed help with her stage fright. I needed help with a class. Stuff happened, but it's over. We had a deal to help each other and now it's done."

"I don't wanna know how you "helped" each other." Her little snub nose wrinkles as she puts air quotes around the word. "But you just washed your hands of her? Did you at least apologize for being a grand dick to her in high school?"

My hand is running tearing through my hair on a loop. "Of course I apologized, and I thought she'd forgiven me. I thought maybe something was possible, but then she left."

A soft breath escapes her lips. "Oh she pulled a switcheroonie on you. Broke your heart, after you broke hers? Cold. Nice, I like it."

"You're brutal."

"Not brutal. Honest. So she left and you..." Her head tilts to the side. "just let her go? Just like that? You didn't fight for her?"

“This real life. It isn’t some cheesy romance movie, Ariana.”

"Obviously not. Future NHL star with up and coming singer. Best childhood friends, turned high school enemies with a second chance at love. But you're a big idiot. Not romance movie material at all. Plus you let her go. Wuss move. If you were in a romance move you'd chase her to the airport, or announce your love for her in front of the entire college. You wouldn't run like a coward with your tail between your legs.

"She's not flying anywhere."

"Totally missing the point brother. If you don't go after her. You've got not chance." She glances around. "Any chance I can stay another night? Before we have to go back to school on Monday."

If it's ok with Mom, it's fine by me." Jackson won't be back until tomorrow anyway so I can stay in his room another night.

Her eyes have a curious gleam. "Anyone other than the big, grunty one coming home before than." I don't trust that look in my baby sister's eyes.

"Yes, Beau is coming back today. I have no idea where Cole is." He could have been in his room this whole time for all I know. He's kept some serious distance from me since the incident. I wouldn't be surprised if he tried to move out. I need to fix that too. It was my fuck up. He may have pulled some shit with his old team but he's done nothing to us since he's been here and i hate to admit it, but he is a great player. He'll take over my spot on the first line next year after I graduate. "But your not going near them." I narrow my eyes at my not quite eighteen-year-old sister.

"Whatever you say, Sebastian."

"Now you’re learning." The comment earns me another smack.

My mind wanders away from the bad movie. Imagine if I used those kinds of lines on Abby? She'd laugh in my face.

Chapter 45

Abby

Myheart’sracing,andthe hand holding the mic is shaking so bad, I’m afraid I’m going to drop it, but I finished. I peel my eyes open, and the scattered claps warm my heart. The crowd is light at All Capps. It is a Friday night after all. Most people are off getting ready to hit the clubs or maybe a house party. Ree, and a couple other friends from the music department showed up so there are friendly faces in the crowd and a few strangers too, but they're not throwing day old croissants at me or anything so it must not have sucked.

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