Page 47 of Edge of Unbroken

“I had suggested it to Stevie. We need a date…” Vada trails off, a frown passing over her brow. “You’re obviously coming.”

I look at Vada, then Tori. “So, you two, Stevie, and Shay?”

They nod. “Uh-huh.”

I consider the idea, and that consistent ache in my chest—the ache caused by Ronan’s absence—flares up. “You know, I think I’m going to bow out.” Despite my efforts to keep my voice neutral, I don’t think I’m successful at hiding the sadness.

“Aww, no, you should come,” Tori says, resting a hand on my shoulder.

“No, really. You four should enjoy your double-date. Honestly. I’m sure you’ll be cuddling with Shay, and Vada’s probably going to end up giving Stevie a blow job during some slasher scene,” I say with a grin at Vada.

Tori giggles. “Wow, you’ve been hanging out with Vada too much.”

“And how exactly is that a bad thing? But, yeah, Cat’s probably right. Stevie could use one of those,” Vada says, nodding to herself.

“Please don’t,” Tori groans, shaking her head. It makes me laugh.

“Are you sure you don’t want to tag along though, Kitty Cat?” Vada asks.

“Yeah, I’m—" I’m interrupted by Drew walking up to us.

“Hey guys,” he says, his ginormous hockey bag slung across his back.

“Hi Drew,” Tori says while Vada smiles.

“You guys coming to the game tonight?” he asks.

Vada finally pulls her bag over her shoulder. “No, Tori and I are going to the movies with Shane and Stevie.”

“Oh, you guys seeingMommy Dearest?” Drew asks.

Vada snaps her fingers. “That’s what it was called. Yeah, have you seen it yet?”

He shrugs, unimpressed. “Yeah, I saw it over break. It’s alright. Couple good jump scares, but pretty vanilla otherwise,” he says before turning his attention to me. “But you could come to the game,” Drew says, a lopsided smile on his burly face.

“Oh, uhh…”

“Come on,” he says with a chuckle. “Should be a good game. We’re playing the Knights. Long-standing rivalry.”

“You’re not planning on scoring an own goal tonight, right?” Vada mocks.

“Funny,” he says dryly. He faces me. “Come!”

Oh, why the hell not. “Okay, sure,” I say with a small shrug. I have nothing better to do, and it could be fun to go watch a game. Better than sitting at home alone, dwelling, wallowing.

“Sweet. Game starts at six.” Drew adjusts his hockey bag and trudges off.

“Hockey will be fun,” Tori says, clearly relieved I won’t just be sitting around all alone tonight while she, Vada, and their guys are out on a date when it’s so obvious how much Ronan’s absence weighs on me. “If only you had been here when it was Shay, Ran, and Stevie on the team. So damn sexy,” she sighs, while Vada nods vigorously.

I giggle. “So I’ve heard.”

“You know the coach would refer to them as the ‘Irish triple threat?’” Vada tells me as we make our way toward the front doors.

“Really?”

“Oh, yeah. The announcers, too. They were so good together.” Tori swoons, then pushes the front doors open and frowns at the pouring rain. “Ugh, I’m over this weather.”

***

---