Page 50 of Big Stick Energy
He frowns down at me. “But you’re taking a cab home, right?”
“Sure, buddy. If it makes you feel better.” It’s only a ten-block walk, though, right down Eighth Avenue.
“Itwouldmake me feel better. It can be a weird area sometimes.” He glances down the tracks, where there’s a faint glow.
I take a last bite of my ice cream and toss the end of the cone into the bin. “Thanks for the ride.”
“Any time, boo.”
I snort and grab my bag as the train approaches. “See you in a couple of weeks for the wedding?”
“Yeah. I’ll call you so we can make plans.”
“Cool.” The train stops, and the doors slide open.
“Feel free to pack that green bikini,” he says.
I almost trip at the train’s entrance.
“Ooh, careful there,” he says.
Turning around, I give him a helpless little wave before the doors slide closed.
A week later, I’m huddled in my tiny kitchen with a cup of peppermint tea, staring at the stack of medical papers that Dr. Talbot’s office sent home with me. The EKG was normal. Everything is normal. My heart is just fine, doing its job without drama or flair.
Which is a relief.
But now I can’t stop thinking about my brother, who had to get his test done, too. And who never mentioned coming to New York for one of our games. Without even sending me a text.
My phone feels heavy in my hand as I scroll to Theo’s number. Last time I dialed, he didn’t call me back. If I try again, does that make me an adult? Or does that make me pathetic?
Before I can second-guess myself, I tap his name and lift the phone to my ear.
“Hello?” His voice is tentative.
“Hi. It’s Darcy.”
“No way. Hi!”
I guess that’s not the worst opening. “Listen, I just wanted to let you know that my EKG came back normal.”
There’s a pause, and then a rush of breath. “Oh, wow. That’s… that’s really good news. Mine was normal, too.”
“Yeah?” The knot in my chest loosens a little. “Glad to hear it.”
The silence stretches between us. I could just leave it at that. Simple medical update delivered, familial duty discharged. But the words bubble up before I can stop them: “Eric mentioned you came to one of our playoff games in May.”
Another pause, longer this time. “Yeah. I… Maribel wanted to see him play.”
“Right.” I trace the rim of my mug with one finger, trying to keep my voice neutral. “I’m the one who arranges all the comp seats, actually. You could ask me. Next time.”
“Oh.” He sounds uncomfortable now. “I had no idea.”
“I know,” I say with an awkward laugh. “When I told Eric that we… that we’re related, I think I blew his mind.”
Theo lets out his own awkward chuckle. “Yeah, he must think we’re the weirdest family on earth.”
“For good reason.” We both laugh. “He also asked me to inquire about what you guys need for your new house, and I didn’t even know you were buying one.”
