“Gina, I’m really happy for you. And I’m sorry to bother you when you’re on your honeymoon, but I have a pretty big favor to ask.”
“Anything, sweetie. Shoot.”
“Your apartment. Is it still available?”
“Absolutely. My lease doesn’t run out till the end of the year, so unless I find someone to sublet I’m stuck paying the rent till then.”
“Well, you’ve just found someone to sublet. How soon can I move in?”
Gina hesitated. “Anytime, I guess. The superintendent has the keys. All my clothes and things are moved out but it’s still furnished, which makes it easy. But what’s going on? I thought you guys were sort of settled at Alex’s place.” A beat went by. “Oh. Okay, I get it. I guess things didn’t go so well with Alex, huh? Were you too chicken to go for it when he jumped you?”
“Not exactly.” Holly cleared her throat. “The jumping was pretty much mutual. And he said he wants to date me.”
“But that’s great! Isn’t it great?”
“Well…”
“Holly Stanton, give me one good reason why this isn’t great.”
“Because Alex has never been in a relationship that lasted longer than three months! Because I’ve never been in a relationship that didn’t end with the guy running away from me! First Brian, then Mark—”
“Don’t you know there’s a first time for everything?”
“Not for this. Not for me.”
“Okay, Holly. I’m about to tell you something important, so pay attention. It’s time for you to stop surviving and start living. I know Brian was a low-down bastard, and I know your parents let you down. I know you put a wall around your heart to get through those first few years alone. But those days are over. It’s not just you and Will against the world anymore.”
Holly closed her eyes. “Just tell me whether or not I can have your apartment. I need a place to stay.”
“Of course you can have the damn apartment! But when I get back home you and I are going to have a serious discussion.”
“Fine. Whatever. I’ll buy the drinks.” She took a deep breath. “And, Gina? Congratulations.”
“On being happy? Thanks, I appreciate it. Want to know my secret? Not being blind and stupid enough to let the right guy go.”
Holly sighed. “Enjoy the rest of your honeymoon, Gina.”
By the time Will and Alex came home from practice, everything was done. Holly had moved their few possessions to the new place, and washed her and Will’s sheets and remade the beds. She made dinner, too, steak and green salad and mashed potatoes. It was waiting on the table when Will and Alex came through the door.
“Hi,” she said as cheerfully as she could. She glanced at Alex, who grinned at her before hanging up his jacket, and then at Will who was rubbing the back of his neck.
“Dinner’s on the table,” she said, wishing her heart wouldn’t turn over in her chest every time Alex smiled at her. “Rough day at practice?” she asked her son as they went into the kitchen. Will slumped down into his chair with a groan.
“Say hello to the Wildcats’ new starting quarterback,” he said. “Apparently Coach’s training plan for a rookie QB is to try really hard to kill him, and if it doesn’t work, then he’s ready for game day.”
Holly had stopped in the middle of serving salad. “But…how? I thought with the bye week Charlie would be able to—”
Alex shook his head. “It’s an ACL injury. He’s out for the season.”
Holly finished dishing supper and sat down herself. “But Will’s only fifteen,” she said to Alex, frowning. “What if he gets hurt like Charlie did?”
“Hey, I’m sitting right here. And if Coach doesn’t manage to kill me there is nothing, and I mean nothing, that an opposing team will be able to do to me.”
“Who are you playing this week?” she asked.
“The Silverton Warriors,” Alex said.
“They’ll be a pushover,” Will assured her, putting an enormous bite of steak into his mouth.
“Hey,” Alex said, smiling at him. “Just because you completed a few passes today is no excuse to get cocky.”
“I’m not cocky,” Will said with his mouth full. “The Warriors are terrible. Are you trying to tell me they’re not terrible?”
Alex rolled his eyes. “Okay, yes, they’re terrible. But that still doesn’t mean you can be overconfident.”
“How much do you want to bet we win this game?”
Alex folded his arms. “You want me to bet against my own team? Ever hear of a guy named Pete Rose?”