Page 53 of Someone to Have
“Actually,” she says, her voice soft but steady, “I noticed Eldridge isn’t dropping back for coverage as quick as he should. That could be a problem if you’re running zone defense.”
Toby’s expression is a mix of curiosity and disbelief. “Decent insight.” But then, just as fast, he brushes her off again. “Seriously, Eric and I need to get this sorted. I’ll see you tomorrow at Dad’s.”
She nods, her shoulders dropping the tiniest bit. It’s practiced, the way she pulls back into herself like she’s used to this. I feel it like I’m the one getting slammed into the boards.
I want her to call him out for being a dismissive jackhole, or forToby to engage at little more. Hell, the hope and expectation on her face is obvious. He could throw her a bone—one perfunctory question about her week. Neither of those happens.
The silence that follows feels heavier than it should.
“Sure, see you tomorrow.”
She turns on her heel and walks to her car without looking at me. I watch her go, my jaw clenched so tight I can feel it throb. It shouldn’t bother me, but it does.
“How bad is it?” Toby demands when we’re alone again. “What’s the plan if he’s out the whole season?”
“Dude, did you have to be such a jerk to your sister?”
He tilts his head, staring at me like a golden retriever who can’t understand why he just got scolded for trash-surfing when someone was dumb enough to leave the bin open. “I said thanks for giving Hudson a ride.”
He’s either completely oblivious or just that comfortable with brushing her off. Either way, I don’t like it. “You know she had a good point about the coverage.”
He blinks like he’s considering that for the first time. “Sure. We can work on that. Tell me you aren’t suggesting I make Tink, who can’t walk and chew gum at the same time, my play caller?”
“No asshole, I’m saying you should treat her like she’s a person and not just your annoying kid sister.” The words come out sharper than I intend, but I don’t pull them back.
“She is my annoying kid sister. I’m not trying to join her book club so not sure why you think I should welcome her inserting herself into my life. Give me a break, okay?” His tone is defensive, but there’s a trace of guilt in his tone even if he won’t admit it.
I know I’m not in the running for brother of the year, but I expected better from a member of the close-knit Maxwell clan.
I can’t let it go—something else I’m unwilling to examine too closely. Instead, I ask, “Did you know she tried out for the community theater’s newest production?”
“Tink on stage?” His look is comically incredulous. “Nofucking way. She gets tongue-tied answering a question at Dad’s Sunday suppers.”
“Maybe that’s because nobody in your family gives her a chance to talk before barreling right over her.” The words are out before I can think better of them.
“Why do you know or care what my sister is doing?” There’s a flash of suspicion in Toby’s eye.
Shit. How do I explain why I care?
“I mostly don’t,” I lie. “But she lives across the hall and is tutoring Rhett, so I hear things. It’s not a big deal.”
My friend doesn’t look convinced.
“Without Hudson, we need to pull in the two wings and go to a neutral zone trap,” I say.
Toby’s shoulders relax, and he nods. “I knew you’d have a plan. You always do.”
I always have a plan when it comes to hockey. Life? That’s another beast entirely.
Toby and I talk through ideas for switching up practice and the lineup. He reminds me that with Hudson out, Rhett will get more playtime than he normally would as a freshman, and that I need to make sure my nephew’s grades stay on track.
“I’ll talk to Tink about it tomorrow at dinner. Dad’s making chili. You and Rhett should come over again.”
“Thanks.”
“Of course, man. And I’ll send her a text congratulating her on the part. Maybe grab her a pack of saltine crackers to keep her stomach steady.”
He chuckles at his joke. I laugh, but it’s forced. My mind’s still stuck on the look on Taylor’s face when Toby brushed her off. And the conundrum of why I care so much.
