“What do you want to talk about?” I ask, feigning innocence.
She laughs. “You’re so full of shit. It’s obvious you asked me to drive you home instead of Harold so we can talk about this, so start talking, Superstar.”
Fuck, sometimes it’s scary how well we know each other.
“I might have a little thing for your best friend.”
“Ha!” she bursts out a laugh. “Good God, Ry. Want to try that again?”
I roll my eyes. “I might possibly be a little bit smitten by the blonde living in my house.”
Stevie laughs to herself. “You were holding her hand while finding out the biggest news of your career. If you said you were completely in love with her, I’d believe you more.”
“I told her about Marissa.”
Thank God we’re at a stoplight because my sister’s head snaps around to me, eyes entirely leaving the road. “You did?”
“Last night. It’s kind of what you walked in on.”
“Ryan.” Her eyes soften. “That’s a really big deal.”
I don’t expand on the rest—what the years after looked like. I love Stevie more than anyone else in the entire world, but even she wasn’t privileged to the dark days. Indy is the first person to know, and I want to get home so we can talk about the rest. She needs to know how much I want her to stay. How much I need her to stay.
“I want her, Vee. I don’t know where she’s at or what she’s even capable of feeling after everything she’s been through, but I’ll take whatever she can offer.” I look over to her as she continues driving, concentrating on the road. “Would you be okay with that?”
I can see a faint tilt of her lips. “You don’t need my permission to be together.”
“Well, I still want it. This is your best friend, and we both know it’s my fault that other friendships haven’t worked out for you.”
“Look, you could be talking about anyone, and I’d just be stoked to hear you’re opening yourself up again, but with Indy?” She peeks over at me. “There’s no one I trust more to protect you as much as you’ll protect her.”
I offer her a faint smile. “Thanks, Vee.”
“But you should lock it down. Have you seen that woman?” My sister teases. “The entire hockey team is in love with her.”
“Okay. Okay. I don’t need the reminder.”
“I’m just saying. Get a move on it, buddy. You already live together, and I want another sister-in-law.”
“Dear God,” I huff out a laugh. “I’m never telling you anything. You have no chill.”
Stevie parks in front of my building. “You don’t need to tell me anything.” She taps the side of her head. “Twin brain. I know it all already.”
I can hear Indy speaking before I’ve even stepped into the apartment. My house is chaos the second I open the door, folding chairs stacked against the wall, two long foldable tables in the middle of our living room. The couch is pushed to the wall. Empty cardboard boxes litter the ground.
There’s a phone propped up on the kitchen island as Indy speaks into it. She must not hear me because she doesn’t turn around, though, her mom catches my attention through the phone screen.
“Hi, Ryan!” She waves.
Indy turns around to find me inside the doorway.
“Hey, Abigale. What are you two doing?”
“I’m passing a recipe to Indigo.”
Indy motions towards the cutting board in front of her, my entire kitchen covered in food she’s prepped.
Radiantly beaming, she’s endlessly happier than we left things last night.
“How are you feeling?” her mom continues.
“I’m getting there. Hopefully I’ll be back on the court by the time you and Tim come to visit.”
“Well, we’ll be supporting you either way. I’ll let you two get to it. Talk to you soon, Ryan! Bye, honey.”
Indy hangs up the phone. “Why does my mother sound like your new bestie?”
I pop my shoulders. “Mothers love me.”
She eyes me suspiciously but doesn’t catch on to the fact her mom and I are as comfortable as we are because I’ve chatted with her parents more than a few times since I first met them over a video call in this very kitchen.
“I know the apartment is hectic, but I’ll clean it after tonight.” Indy takes in my body. “No crutches? That’s exciting!”
“Are you okay?” I ask with confusion. Last night she was overwhelmed and distant. Today it’s as if our conversation never happened.
“Of course, I am. Why wouldn’t I be?”
Maybe because you took what I said the wrong way yesterday and thought I wanted you to move out?
Looking around the crowded apartment, I ask, “What’s going on?”
“We’re hosting team dinner.”
“Um, no, we’re not.”
“Annie called and said you canceled the whole thing.”
“I did.”
“And I had Ethan un-cancel it and invite the team here instead.”
“Indy, why would you do that? You know how I feel about people being in my space. Not to mention, I let every single one of those guys down last night. I’m not ready to face them.”
She drops the knife she’s using to chop veggies as she tilts her head and softens her approach. “Ryan, you didn’t let anyone down, and we had a deal. I’m supposed to help you be a better leader.”
“No, you’re just supposed to help me convince Ron that I am.”
“Why not actually do it? You can’t play for a month. Why not take this as an opportunity to shift gears and contribute in other ways? You’re the smartest guy on the team. You can still use your brain from the sidelines.”
I can’t exactly argue the logic. It’s what a good leader would do.
“I don’t know about this, Ind. Having everyone over here.”
Not to mention, I thought I’d have her alone so I could convince her not to move out. All night long. With my tongue perhaps.
“Will you trust me with this?” she begs. “If they get here and it’s too much for you, I’ll kick them out, but I think this could be great. I bought you all new dishes and silverware, so we have enough for everyone. Well, you bought them. I used your credit card, obviously.”
A tiny smile spreads across my lips. “Obviously.”
Her eyes squeeze shut with regret, as if she caught herself in the act. “I’ll pay you back for them.”
“Please don’t do that. Please don’t walk around here on eggshells. You’re not paying me back for my own team dinner.”
“And I rented a couple tables and chairs.” She offers me a playfully cautious smile. “You need to stop treating this place like a personal prison and start living again. Tonight is a good start.”
Of course, I should’ve known the second Indy learned everything about my past she would attempt to help me begin healing from it all. She’s good like that, caring like that.
The house is prepped and she’s clearly excited. Whatever is cooking in the oven smells phenomenal and knowing that girl’s pure intentions, she believes tonight will be good for me.