She knew exactly what I was asking. Sighing, she said, “Let’s just say, I’ve been re-evaluating my life lately. I know we’ve had our differences in the past, but I’d like to try and put that behind us and spend time together again.”

“Why are you suddenly re-evaluating things?” God, I hoped it wasn’t sickness or something like that. My body tensed, waiting for her answer.

“I’m a thirty-six-year-old woman with no husband or kids, and I pushed my family away when I was younger and stupid. My best friend recently died from cancer, and I decided life’s too short for petty disagreements. So here I am.”

The tension relaxed out of my body. “Sorry to hear about your friend, but I’m glad you’ve decided to make those changes.”

“It might take me some time with Mum and Dad, Evie. Don’t expect this to just happen overnight. Not after all the shit we’ve been through.”

“I get it.” I really did. Our parents were hard work.

“How are they?” she asked tentatively.

I stretched my legs out in front of me and sagged a little in the chair. “They’re doing okay at the moment.”

“Right, so that means they’re still struggling to get their shit together.”

She was right. In our family, doing okay didn’t mean the same as it would in most families that I knew. “I’ll let you decide for yourself once you go and see them.”

She stood and picked up her bag. “I’ve got to get to work. It was good to see you.”

I stood as well and moved to hug her. She awkwardly tried to return the hug and that offering spread warmth through me. Julie was not an affectionate person so this hug meant the world to me. When we pulled apart, I smiled at her and said, “Thank you for coming and don’t be a stranger. And go and see Mum and Dad.”

She nodded and I expected her to say something about them, but she didn’t. What she did say took me by surprise. “I don’t know what happened between you two, but is there any way for you and Kick to work out your differences? Assuming he’s not with someone else now, that is?”

“He’s not, but I don’t think so. We’ve been through too much, and if we couldn’t make it work the two times we tried, I doubt we could now.”

“I don’t believe that, Evie. The Kick I remember would do anything for you. Anything.”

I wrapped my arms around me. She was wrong, and I needed to protect my heart this time. “I don’t think he would. Not anymore,” I said softly.

Her face took on that look a person got when they were trying to make you see something their way. “Go through your memories again. Try and remember back to when you were kids. I know he would have done anything for you back then. You two are so connected...between your childhood, our families, Jeremy, the stuff you’ve both been through...that can’t count for nothing, Evie.” She paused and stared hard at me before adding on a whisper, “Make it count. You two deserve happiness.”

And then she was gone and I was left alone.

Consumed by memories.

***

Evie

16 years old

“Kick! Stop!” I chased after him but he didn’t stop. No surprise there; when Kick decided to do something, nothing got in his way.

I rushed after him as he stalked towards the basketball courts where Stephanie and her posse were. His back muscles were tensed, ready for the showdown. Those bitches had been harassing me for months and he’d been itching to take them on, but I would never let him. There was no way I could hold him back now, but really, they deserved whatever he had in mind.

Unless he physically lashed out at them.

That thought sent cold chills through my veins. I was sure he wouldn’t lay a hand on a girl, but what if his anger and need to stand up for me made him do something stupid?

I picked up my pace and yelled out to him again. “Kick, please stop! I can handle those bitches myself.”

He kept going without a second glance in my direction. The girls spotted him and all turned to face him. The other kids noticed the standoff and they, too, turned to watch. Everyone began closing in on Kick and the girls, and I hated that I had put him in this situation.

He finally made it to them and stopped. I couldn’t see his face but I could imagine his glare. That look from Kick was enough to make most people consider their next step but Stephanie didn’t cower. She actually took a step closer to him and sent a glare his way.

“Why the fuck can’t you bitches leave Evie alone? You don’t even know what shit really went down with her family, so you should shut the fuck up rather than spreading nasty gossip and treating her like a slut,” he raged. I could tell from his voice how close to the edge he was.

Not good.

“I know her mother cheated on her father and that’s a slut as far as I’m concerned. Like mother, like daughter,” Stephanie countered.

Kick’s arm moved as if he was about to raise it but he kept himself under control and instead clenched his fist over and over, as if he was fighting the urge to punch someone. “I’m not gonna fucking argue this shit with you, Stephanie. Leave Evie alone.” His voice had dropped to a menacing tone.

Stephanie said something to him but a hand on my shoulder and the brush past me of a male body distracted me from her.

Jeremy.

“Sorry, Evie,” he murmured, as he shoved me aside and kept advancing towards Kick.

I missed what Stephanie said but zeroed back in on Kick who had raised his voice. “You don’t wanna start something with me. Trust me on that,” he threatened just before Jeremy stepped in.