Page 193 of Between the Blue
I stiffen. Spin back around.
“Mrs. Gold,” I say. “Hi.”
Her mother’s eyes are wide. She’s clearly surprised to see me. Of course she is.
She crosses her arms. Closes her cardigan over her chest. Pushes her hair out of her face. It’s red.
But not red like hers.
“Well, I’ve heard you’ve had quite the rookie season," she says. Attempts a laugh. It’s awkward.
My hands flex at my sides. “Thanks,” I mutter.
I’m not here to talk about hockey.
I think the whole sport could go up in flames right now and I wouldn’t even care.
“Is Jules here?” I blurt.
Her mouth opens. She stares at me for a few moments. And then it closes again. She glances behind her. Steps further out on the porch. Pulls the door closed behind her so it’s only cracked.
“Ms. Gold?”
“I’m sorry,” she says. Shakes her head. “I’m just…a little confused.”
My brows raise. I find myself stepping closer to her.
“I thought you hadn’t spoken to Julia for over a year now.”
That’s not the way I would phrase it. Not in the slightest. And it makes me tilt my head at her.
Ms. Gold’s lips press together, and something in her face changes. Something odd. She looks deep in thought. “And I know,” she begins, then clears her throat. “I know she was always so hesitant with you. She didn’t want you to…”
She trails off, and my heart feels like it’s beating inside of my throat all of the sudden.
I close the last of the distance between us.
She has to look up at me to meet my gaze. And when she does, I find her eyes glossy.
“But did she end up…” she stammers. “Did…did someone tell you?”
I have to reach out to rest my hand against the door frame for support. Because I don’t know what’s happening right now.
“Tell mewhat?” I question her.
Her spine steels.
“Mrs. Gold,” I plead, getting frustrated. “Is Julia here or not?”
“She is.”
I stand there, waiting for Ms. Gold to make a move to let me in. But she doesn’t.
My patience wears thin, and I shift my eyes between her and the door. “Can I please see her then?”
Mrs. Gold’s throat bobs. “Of course,” she finally says. “Just…let me go tell her you’re here.”
I watch her as she slowly opens the door and steps inside the house.
