Page 21 of The Grinder

“Well, we still hope you and your sister will be able to get down for a few days around the holidays. It’d be so nice to have everyone together for Christmas.”

“We’ll have to wait and see how everything works out. You know Vivi’s work schedule is a mess around the holidays and there’s always something going on at the hospital.”

Thankfully, her mom let that go and they chatted for another few minutes before finally saying good-bye.

And when her phone screen finally went black, she drew in a deep breath and released it on a heavy sigh. She felt like she’d run a marathon.

“And this is why I try not to talk to Mom more than a few minutes at a time.” Vivi shook her head, waving her fork like a wand. “You look like you’re about to heave. What’d she say about Julie?”

Aly grimaced. “That she didn’t think ‘that’ would work. And I’m not sure but I think the only reason she called was to see when we were coming down so I could meet some guy, marry him, and move down there.”

Vivi rolled her eyes. “Oh my god, I can’t believe she still thinks she can get you to do it. Thank God they gave up on me. I don’t know why you just don’t tell them it’s never gonna happen.”

Because she wasn’t sure she wouldn’t. Which, of course, she couldn’t tell her sister. Vivi would freak and tell her she’d be making a huge mistake. Which she probably would be.

But she also knew her parents weren’t getting any younger and eventually would need help. But that would leave Vivi alone here.

“Aly?”

“Hmm?”

Vivi sighed and shook her head. “You need to stop thinking about everyone else and put yourself first for a change.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Bullshit.” Vivi held her gaze. “Are you seriously thinking about moving to Florida with Mom and Dad? Because if you waffle even a little, Mom will put on the full-court press and you’ll find yourself living in Florida married to some guy named Tad with two-point-five kids, a mortgage you can’t afford, and Mom in your house every day ‘just to help out.’”

Aly had to hold back a shudder at the thought. “I’m not. At least, not now.” She rolled her eyes and huffed. “Okay, maybe I might’ve thought about it. Maybe I feel like I’ve been in a rut lately. I’ve had the same job for five years. I still live in the house I grew up in. Last night was the first time in months I’ve had a date because I’m so freaking boring. All my friends are married or getting married, and some of them have kids or they’ve moved away. So yeah, I’m thinking about it.”

Vivi’s eyes widened. “Wow. Aly, I didn’t realize—”

“Sorry.” Aly shook her head, grimacing. “Sorry, sorry, sorry. I don’t mean to take out my frustration on you. I’ve just been…restless lately.”

“Don’t be sorry. You hide stuff so well. I had no idea you were so…”

“Bitchy?”

Vivi’s mouth twisted in a rueful grin. “Conflicted.”

Conflicted. Yeah, that was a good description.

Aly shook her head. “Don’t mind me. PMS. I’ll be fine.”

Vivi’s grin gained a wicked edge. “I think you might have found the cure for that. You can work out some of your frustrations with Riley tonight. Have some fun, sis. Try not to worry so much. And take the guy to bed tonight, for chrissake. Seriously. Get naked and get laid.”

Was a night of sex with a hot guy the answer to everything?

Could it really be that easy?

* * * * *

“Riley, sweetheart, how are you? Season going well so far?”

“Hey, Mom. So far, so good, yeah. What’s doing at home?”

Kicking back into the recliner, Riley shoveled food. Practice hadn’t been difficult but he needed to refuel before the game tonight.

“Oh, nothing much.” She paused. “Well, not too much, anyway.”

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