I wasn’t sure how long we sat there in silence. But eventually the bottle was empty and my eyelids were heavy.
“I should probably get going,” Tanner said.
I yawned. “It is getting late.”
Tanner slowly stood up. “I think the two of you are going to be alright,” he said.
“A free house to live in certainly helps. I really can’t thank you enough.”
He smiled. “I actually have a way you could thank me. I’m going to a high school homecoming football game this weekend. Would you and Jacob like to accompany me?”
Did he just ask me out?
“Don’t give me that look again.”
“What look?”
“The one you gave me earlier when you thought the wine was a romantic gesture. The game isn’t a date. I thought that having you and Jacob there would make it slightly less dull. Maybe Jacob can explain to me why on earth they need to take 40 seconds between plays.”
Going to a football game would make Jacob feel close to Miller. I nodded. “What school did you graduate from?”
“Me? Oh, nowhere you would have heard of.”
“Didn’t you just say you were going to your homecoming game?”
“Oh, right.” He laughed. “Yes. That makes sense. I went to Empire High.”
I pressed my lips together. “I actually went there. For a few months. When did you graduate?”
“I want to say…1990?”
I just stared at him. “That can’t be right. How old are you?”
“Oh I meant in the 2000s. I’m bad with dates.” He cleared his throat. “Well, this will be fun then. We can hang out together on the old stomping grounds.”
“Actually…I don’t know if it’s a good idea.”
“Bad memories?”
I nodded. “Some good ones too. But yeah, a lot of bad ones.”
“Same. We can face all our old high school demons together. What do you say?”
“I really don’t know…”
“Come on. You have to face your demons from the past if you’re going to move forward.”
He kind of seemed like an expert on this stuff. And for some reason I found myself nodding. Even though my head was screamingno.
“Great. I’ll pick you both up on Saturday, okay?”
“Sure.” It was like the word tumbled out of my mouth without my permission. I reached up and touched my lips. I really didn’t mean to say that.
“Goodnight, Brooklyn,” he said and leaned down to hug me. “It was a pleasure.” He pulled back. “Miller’s truck should arrive by the morning. If you need anything at all before Saturday, I left my number on your fridge. And really, everything is going to be okay. I promise.”
I wasn’t sure why, but I believed his words. Once I closed the door behind him, I quickly got ready for bed, and then climbed into Jacob’s bed. I pulled him in close.
It’s going to be okay.I kissed the top of his head.We’re going to be okay.
