“Wes,” Ash answers. She turns in her chair until she’s partially facing me in the kitchen along with everyone else at the table. “As you know, they’ve been dating for a few months now, and Kate knows she likes him, but…” She drags out the word and gives Kate a pointed look.
“But he wants to take things to the next level,” Kate admits.
“And it’s a bad thing?” I ask.
“Kind of?” Pushing aside her half-eaten bowl of Cheerios, she mutters, “I haven’t told him about my condition.”
Condition.
Also known as epilepsy, though Kate refuses to use the word. Pretty sure she treats the e-word the same way the wizards in Harry Potter treat he-who-must-not-be-named. I wouldn’t even know what she’s referring to if it weren’t for Mia explaining the situation. After I moved in, she informed me of the giant elephant Kate likes to avoid at all costs. Including keeping it from her casual boyfriend.
Yikes.
“Why haven’t you told him?” Mia prods. “It doesn’t have to be a big deal.”
“It is a big deal.” Kate’s spoon clatters in her cereal bowl as she lets it go and shakes her head, too frustrated to eat. “I finally found someone good in my life. I don’t want to ruin it.”
“It’s not going to ruin anything.”
Running her fingers through her hair from roots to tip, Kate flips it over one shoulder until it cascades down the side of her face, shielding her for a moment. Then, with a weak-ass smile, she bites her thumbnail and murmurs, “You have no idea. I can’t drink alcohol. I can’t see movies with flashing lights. I can’t have kids, or at least, I shouldn’t thanks to the medicine I’m on. I…” She lets out a soft, shuddering breath. “I can’t do anything.”
My heart cracks, and a silence fills the room as my attention shifts from Mia to Ash. But none of us know what to say. None of us know what she needs to hear or what we can do to help. Because…shit. Epilepsy sucks. And until this moment, I had no idea how much it affects her. The realization makes me feel heartless. Like I’m a shitty friend for letting her down, completely oblivious.
“Kate,” I breathe out. My glass makes a soft clinking sound as I set it on the counter. I rush toward her and pull her into a big, sweaty hug. It’s all I can do. All I can give. Because I don’t have advice for this situation. I’m the furthest thing from an expert. But I can be here for her. I can show her she’s cared about. I can prove she isn’t alone. And I’m sure as hell not going anywhere.
She laughs, only waiting a quick second before wrapping her limp arms around me. “I’m fine, Blake.”
“Liar,” I mutter against her as Mia and Ash join in, creating a Kate sandwich.
“We’re sorry,” Mia mumbles against the crown of her head. “Seriously.”
Kate sniffs again and wiggles out of our hug, wiping beneath her eyes. “It’s fine. Really. It is. It just makes relationships…tough.”
“But you like him, right?” I ask.
She puffs out her cheeks, letting the air out on a sigh. “I think so, yeah.”
“And he likes you?” I prod.
She nods.
“Then, give him a chance. You might be surprised by how he reacts.”
Digging her straight white teeth into her bottom lip, she scratches at her temple, giving in with a shrug. “We’ll see.”
Ash, Mia, and I exchange worried glances but don’t say a word because no one knows what to say.
“So.” Ash nudges my shoulder. “Are you excited about your first day?”
Gratitude shines in Kate’s eyes at the subject change, while mine dim with anxiety.
It’s an excellent question. If only the answer was cut-and-dry.
“Blake?” Ash prods.
“Yeah, I can’t wait,” I lie, heading back to the kitchen like a woman on a mission. I grab some fruit and kale from the fridge so I can whip up a quick smoothie and keep myself distracted from the current interrogation I feel building around me. Unfortunately, it does shit to prevent the anxiety welling in my stomach.
As I add a scoop of protein powder to the blender, Ash interjects, “Coach Sanderson wouldn’t have given you the position if he didn’t think you deserved it.”
These girls know me too well.
Turning toward them, I rest my hip on the counter and cross my arms. “I’m not worried about Sanderson. He’s usually a pretty level-headed dude.”
“Then, what are you worried about?” Mia asks.
My nose scrunches, and I let out a sigh and turn back toward the blender, ripping off a few pieces of kale and tossing them in with the strawberries and blueberries while the girls wait in silence.
“Oh, Blake,” Mia sings.
I add a splash of almond milk and a handful of ice. “Fine. I’m worried the guys won’t take me seriously ‘cause I’m a girl.”
“Of course, the guys will take you seriously,” Kate argues. “If they don’t, I’m pretty sure your brother will beat them up.”
“Him or Theo,” Mia adds with a smirk.
I ignore her and turn on the blender, letting the loud whir cut off any more asinine comments.
Unfortunately, after I turn it off, Mia keeps poking the bear like it’s her job. “Speaking of Theo, have you seen him lately?”
“Nope,” I answer. “And I don’t plan to if I can help it.”
“You mean, other than practice,” she counters.
“Or games,” Ash adds with a smirk.
Through gritted teeth, I remind them, “He’s as healthy as a horse. I’m sure he won’t need any physical therapy or anything.”
“Burrows will, though,” Mia argues.
“Aw…I love Burrows,” Ash gushes, clutching at her heart. “He’s such a sweetheart.”
“A hot sweetheart,” adds Mia with a grin.
“Ooo, is he the guy who was on crutches a couple months back?” Kate asks. “He comes into the restaurant sometimes. Good tipper.”
“Yup. That’s the one,” Ash confirms. “He got hurt during last season and went home to have surgery on his knee. But the coach is planning on playing him this season as long as he’s ready, which means Blake will have plenty of time to help him feel better. Won’t you, Blake?”
Mia’s brows bounce up and down as I pour my smoothie into a to-go cup and head down the hall like a bat out of hell. “Aaaand, I’m done talking to you guys. Wish me luck today.”
“Good luck!” they call as I retreat to my room.
Boy, am I gonna need it.
5
BLAKELY
Toying with the red and black lanyard around my neck, I scan the rows of lockers in the hockey facility. After arriving for my first day at the internship, I was given a badge with my picture on it, along with a keycard for after hours, and a quick introduction to Coach Sanderson and my mentor, Russell Trist, aka Russ. He’s the athletic trainer for the hockey team and is older than my grandpa. But he’s nice in a snappy, take-no-shit kind of way. I like him immediately.