For a second, I get lost remembering Bridget’s turquoise eyes and the dimples that are only present when she smiles for real. I’ve never been so emo about a chick before. I’ve always felt like if things didn’t work out, then it was for the best. But I can’t seem to shake off Bridget.
“First of all, she turned me down twice. Not a dozen times. And secondly, I don’t know if what I felt for her was unique or if I’m just not in a good head space to date right now. Harmony and Kennedy were both cool and maybe I’ll see them again, but tonight I am going home alone.”
“Fair enough.” Mav places a hand on my shoulder and gives it a reassuring squeeze. “The best love is self-love.”
“But if you had to pick, which one did you like best?” Jack asks.
Laughing, I stand and watch as Kennedy heads toward me. “You two are idiots.”
I walk Kennedy to her car and grab her number with a promise I’ll text to make plans next week. I’m not sure about a lot right now, but I know that it’s time I got myself out of this funk. Joking around with the guys today was the most fun I’ve had in weeks. I need to get back out there and stop sitting around feeling sorry for myself.
When I get in my truck, I start it up as a notification pings on my phone.
Little Sharpie
My new roomie is all moved in! Thanks for passing on my info to Bridget. She seems great. How’s the shoulder? Any word on when you’ll be able to play?
11
HOME
BRIDGET
Snow is falling hard as I get home from work. Home. I shake my head as I turn off the engine and stare at the adorable yellow house where I now reside.
It’s been almost two weeks since I moved in, and it still doesn’t seem real.
Keeping my head down, I jog from the car up the front sidewalk and onto the porch. I stomp my feet on the outdoor rug and then push inside. Warmth greets me with the smell of coffee and sugar.
Everly looks up from the dining room table where she sits with her schoolwork laid out in front of her. “Morning. I just made coffee.”
“Thanks. I grabbed some at the hospital before I left.” I hold up the to-go cup in my right hand, then get out of my snowy coat and hat, and hang them to dry.
She nods and goes back to her schoolwork, and I head to my room. Grace is still sleeping. She’s never up as early as Everly. With my schedule, I tend to only see each of them once or twice a day. Everly is usually up and out in the kitchen in the mornings when I get home from work, and Grace and I have the same lunch break.
They’ve both been so nice and welcoming. They’re really close and spend most of their evenings together in the living room, watching TV. Sometimes Grace’s boyfriend Lane comes over and sometimes the three of them all go out. If I’m around, they always do the polite thing and ask me to join them, but I try to give them space. The three of us don’t have to be besties to live together, and I don’t expect that from them.
By the time I shower and get ready for school, I can hear both of them in the kitchen. They walk to campus together in the mornings. Their first classes are farther away than mine, so I leave a few minutes later.
I’m checking to make sure I have everything I need in my backpack when there’s a knock at the door followed by Grace’s voice. “Bridget?”
“Uhh, yeah, come in.”
She opens the door and sticks in her head. “Hi.”
“Hey.” I smile back at her.
“I know you like to walk by yourself usually, but it’s really coming down out there. Do you want to walk with us today?”
“Oh.” My brows furrow. Something about the way she said I like to walk by myself makes me pause. I guess from my actions that seems true, but really, I just don’t want to impose on their friendship just because we’re roommates now. “No. I’m okay. I still need to grab something to eat.”
“Are you sure?” Her gray eyes widen and her eyebrows disappear under her dark bangs as she waits for my response.
“Yeah. I’m okay, but thanks. I’ll see you at lunch.”
She waits another beat before nodding and then closing the door as she leaves. A few seconds later I hear the front door shut with their departure. I bundle up again and grab my backpack and phone. A blueberry muffin sits on top of a yellow napkin on the counter with my name scribbled on it. With a twinge of sadness, I smile at the considerate gesture.
I wrap it up and stick it in my bag for later and then head out. The snow falls in white flakes so thick I can barely make out my car parked along the curb.
When I get to the sidewalk, a silver truck comes to a stop next to me. I think he’s letting me cross and wave him to go ahead, but then he rolls down the passenger side window and leans over.
I met Everly’s brother one other time when he stopped by to see her, but I’m surprised to see him at this time of day.
“Did Everly already leave?” he asks.
“Yeah. About two minutes ago.”
He nods. “All right. She wasn’t answering her phone.”
“Do you need something? I could try to text her.” I pull out my phone. Snow drops onto the screen as I unlock it.
“No, I was just on my way to the arena and thought I’d swing by and see if you all wanted a ride this morning. It’s really coming down.”
“Wow, that’s so nice. I’ll let Everly know I ran into you.” I put my phone back in my pocket and brush a wet drop off my nose.
Tyler continues to stare at me through the thick blanket of snow. “Are you heading to class now? Do you want a lift?”
“Oh, no, that’s okay. I don’t mind the snow.”
His mouth twists into an uncomfortable smile. “Are you sure? It’s nuts out here and I’m going that way anyway.”
I hesitate again as more snow covers my coat and hat. My feet are already icy. “A ride would be great. Thank you.”
He leans over and opens the passenger door. I try to shake off as much snow as possible so I don’t get it in his truck, but he waves me off. “You’re fine. Don’t worry about it.”
“It still smells brand new.” I glance around, and to my chagrin, it also looks brand new.
“I just got it last week.”
“Oh my gosh. I am so sorry. I could walk, seriously.” The only mess in the entire truck is the pool of water and dirt from my shoes on the floor mat.
“Really. It’s fine.” His tone sounds completely genuine, but I am horrified.
I relax back into the seat and do my best to ignore the mess I made in his immaculate new truck as Tyler drives slowly through the snow-covered roads toward campus.
“How’s everything going?” Tyler asks. He and Everly don’t look that much alike. His hair is dark and his features are sharper, but they’ve both been so nice to me.
“Good. Your sister and Grace have been so welcoming, and the house is beautiful. I can hardly believe how well things worked out if I’m honest.”
He lifts his gaze from the road long enough to glance at me and nod. “Everly is really happy it worked out too. She doesn’t let that many people into her inner circle, but she speaks highly of you.”
“We have that in common,” I tell him, then add, “I really like her too.”