Page 11 of Not A Chance

Too upset, she hadn’t noticed my head getting knocked back. Her breathing was ragged, and choppy sobs escaped her mouth.

I tightened my grip on her, my arms easily wrapped around her back and legs.

“Easy, Rocky. I’ve got you.” The nickname fell from my lips before I’d even consciously thought it.

Her movements slowed as she realized that she was no longer falling. Just like a spider monkey, she righted herself by throwing her arms and legs around me. She held on so tightly I loosened my grip around her slightly. She started crying in earnest.

I walked over to the edge of the deck and sat down with her in my arms and looked over at Emery. She, too, had tears in her eyes, no doubt in fear for her friend but also knowing she was going to catch shit from Mom and Dad for not being careful.

“Em, go inside and get Mom, okay?” I tried to keep my voice level.

Nodding, Emery raced into the house.

Turning my attention back to Indie, I awkwardly shushed her to help her calm down. Despite being attached at the hip to Emery since kindergarten, I didn’t know her that well.

She was the most well-behaved kid I’d ever seen. Reserved to a point that almost seemed like an adult in a way I couldn’t understand. It was definitely eye-opening to see her this upset.

It had taken a year for me to hear her laugh. She, Mom, and Emery had been baking some sort of catastrophe in the kitchen, and the bag of flour had burst when the girls had tried to pull it open and absolutely coated the three of them. A giggle had burst from Indie, and I’d seen the joy in my mom’s eyes witnessing that. I’d raced into the living room for the camera, keen to show Dad the disaster later.

That photo sat proudly on our mantle, the three of them grinning like loons.

Her tears were slowing, and she pulled back, suddenly realizing she was stuck to me like a barnacle. A flurry of limbs and a much gentler elbow to the chin for me had her sitting beside me.

Geez, at this rate, I’d have to tell the guys at practice I’d got hurt playing road hockey with the twins for all the bruises I’d have.

“Thanks, Theo.” Her little voice was barely above a whisper.

“No problem, little Rocky. Maybe keep those feet on the ground for the rest of the day, okay?”

She blushed and nodded, embarrassed.

Mom came racing out the door and pulled Indie into a hug. Mom gave the kind of hugs you could just melt into, knowing that she wouldn’t let go until you were solid.

“I’m glad you’re okay, sweetie.” She looked at me over Indie’s shoulders and mouthed, “Thank you.”

I shrugged. It was no big deal. I was just glad she was okay.

“Here’s what we’ll do. How about you girls come with me to the rink, and you can watch Theo’s training this afternoon?” Mom smiled warmly at them both.

Even though Mom would have a safety talk with Emery later, Mom’s talks were always delivered with a big dose of comfort.

Both girls nodded eagerly, knowing an afternoon at the rink meant a carload of snacks and playing hide-and-seek around the empty stands.

“Come on, Indie! I’ll race you to the car!”

Potential disaster averted, Emery took off into the house. Indie, who was poised to take off after her, turned back to me and smiled gratefully before heading inside.

Mom came and wrapped her arms around me. “My hero,” she whispered in my ear before giving me a peck on the cheek.

I shook the memory off; the nostalgia was bittersweet. My brain refocused on the very grown woman in front of me.

Her naturally golden skin was sun-kissed from what I imagined was soaking up the gorgeous months of California summer weather. Even scrunched in frustration and only half-visible, her face was perfection. Emery, with her artist’s eye and hands, could not have rendered a more beautiful woman.

Without my permission, my eyes swept down her body. She had a slight, athletic build that reminded me of a dancer or runner. The back of my mind tickled with a memory of her running track fairly competitively in high school.

Simply, she was gorgeous. She could have been on any runway or graced any magazine cover. The back of my neck heated with the realization of how inappropriate it was to be checking her out.

I could not be looking at Indie like this. She was my sister’s best friend, despite us not seeing each other for six or so years (Christ, had it really been that long?). My mind flipped back to the last time I’d snuffed out my attraction toward Indie. I’d spent my time avoiding temptation when Indie had turned eighteen and I’d been home for an extended summer visit because of a concussion recovery. It was not okay then, and it wasn’t okay now.

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