Page 56 of Soulmates and Slapshots
“Oh, sweetie,” my mom murmurs, her voice cracking slightly. “I’m so sorry.”
“So am I,” my dad chimes in. “Although I can’t say I’m surprised. Denise said this might happen if you went there.”
“Oh, stop,” Mom snaps defensively. My mother has never been Aunt Dee’s biggest fan. Her reaction brings a smile to my face even in the middle of my meltdown.
“Shedidsay Fiona would love it there,” Dad retorts.
“And she was right,” I admit, giving credit where it’s due. “I do love it here. Maybe too much.”
There’s a brief silence as we process our conversation.
“So what do you really want?” Mom asks gently, steering us back on track.
I let out a long, exhausted sigh. “I want someone to decide for me.”
Mom chuckles. “Really? Since when? You’ve beendetermined to make your own choices since you were old enough to talk. You do get that from your Aunt Denise, whether I like it or not.”
“I know,” I whisper. “I guess I’m just scared. After everything that happened with Joshua…I was so sure about him. And that didn’t exactly go the way I thought it would.”
“Forget that guy. He’s a punk,” Dad grumbles.
I laugh as I dab the corners of my eyes. “Speaking of that guy…he called me.”
“What?” Mom exclaims.
“He says he made a mistake, and he even convinced Hayley to go to bat for him. He’s been relentless, trying to get me to hear him out. He even got me a lead on a new job.”
“Of course he did,” Mom says knowingly. “He wants to win you back.”
“I hope you told him to pound sand,” Dad says flatly. “He had his shot, and he lost it.”
“I did. I told him we’re done. There’s nothing left to say.”
“Good,” Dad mutters with satisfaction. “He might be business savvy, but he’s clueless about everything else.”
Mom exhales softly. “So…what about this new guy? What is it about him you like enough to consider such a big life change?”
I take a few seconds to gather my thoughts as I picture Weston in my mind. There are so many great things about him I don’t even know where to start.
“I like everything about him,” I admit. “His kindness, sense of humor, his humility. He’s a professional athlete but doesn’t have an ego. He cares about his team, and his fans. He’s patient and supportive and has never once tried to pressure me to stay, even though I think that’s what he wants.”
This is met with silence.
“Well,” my mom says at last, “that’s quite a list.”
“Yeah,” I murmur. “It really is…and there’s more.”
Thinking about Weston brings a smile to my face.
“I feel like I’ve known him forever,” I continue. “From the moment we met, things clicked, like we were old friends who hadn’t seen each other in a while. And after that, it was like the universe kept nudging us together. We kept running into each other in the most random places, and it was so easy and comfortable.”
I pause, remembering that moment Weston was there when I needed someone. “And when Hayley and Joshua called, I told them I was going out with Weston. He backed me up with no questions asked.” I could continue except I’d leave out that I spent eight thousand dollars to win him in a bachelor auction. My dad doesn’t need that information right now, or ever.
“But it’s not just about him,” I continue. “Maple Falls has something magical I can’t explain. The sense of community here is real; they all want to help each other. I’ve been welcomed with open arms by everyone I’ve met. And the slower pace has been invigorating and peaceful.”
I finally take a breath, waiting for them to say something. Despite my uncertainty, I feel like I’ve made a solid case for a future in Maple Falls.
“Anyway,” I continue. “I’m still waiting to hear back about that other job. And if I do move, I’ll need to find a job here. Maple Falls isn’t exactly the publishing capital of the world.”
