“It kind of looks like your car is getting a piggyback.” Fly walked up next to her, his hands on his hips.
“Or it’s up on its hind legs rutting.” Country grinned, and Penny rolled her eyes. “Hopefully she'll enjoy the ride.”
“It’s too early in the morning for this,” Fly muttered, and Penny laughed. Then her toes started tapping. There wasn’t much left to do, and she could only stall for so long.Was Brett really not going to show up?After holding her while she’d slept, he wasn't going to say goodbye?
Fine. Penny grabbed her backpack off the step and threw it in the passenger seat of the truck. She had just closed the door when she heard a car coming up the street. Her heart jumped into her throat as she turned and saw the car slow after swerving around the truck, then stop against the curb.
Her hands started to tingle, but when the passenger door opened, Penny's mind went blank. That was Brett’s car, which meant . . . he was with someone? He’d left her that morning to go to the gym with—
The woman turned, and Penny jolted into a run.Andrea?How was it possible that Andrea was getting out of Brett's car?
Her sister spun, and her face lit up as she saw Penny barreling toward her. “Slow down, you're going to—”
Penny slammed into her, gripping her so tight, she squeezed the air out of her own lungs.
“Penny? I can't breathe.”
Penny let go and stepped back, scanning her to make sure this wasn’t a mirage. “How are you here?”
Andrea's grin was so wide, Penny could barely see the colour of her eyes. Andrea pointed to Brett still standing next to his open door.
“You did this?” Penny breathed. He gave a slight nod, and her head snapped back to her sister. “You’re here to see me off?”
Andrea held out her arms like Penny had just unwrapped her for Christmas. “I’m here to go with you. You know, so you don’t drive off a cliff and get eaten by bears or moose or whatever fungus is killing the trees in Banff right now.”
Penny jumped up and down. “You're driving with me?” Andrea nodded emphatically. “The whole way?”
Andrea laughed. “Yes, the whole way! Why didn't you tell me you were nervous, by the way?”
Penny’s words caught in her throat, and she looked back at Brett. He’d called Andrea and picked her up at the airport, all so she wouldn't have to be alone.She’d mentioned her nerves one time.Penny bit her lower lip to stop it from trembling.
Brett dropped his eyes and closed the car door, then rounded the back of the vehicle and greeted his teammates still standing on the sidewalk.
“Are you ready to go?” Andrea asked. “Do you need help with anything else?”
Penny shook her head. She'd scoured the bathroom while the guys were loading up. “I just need to vacuum the rug.”
Brett turned his head. “You don't need to vacuum anything. I can take care of it.”
“But—”
“I’ll take care of it, Penny.”
She shivered at the sound of her name and wrapped her arms around herself as she walked with Andrea past the guys to the moving truck. Kelty appeared from who knew where and handed Penny a grocery sack. “Snacks for the road.”
“How long have you been here?” Penny frowned, then glanced inside the bag to find dill pickle chips and at least two bars of dark chocolate. She groaned. “You’re the best.”
Kelty flipped her hair. “I know.”
“From me and Emma.” Tyler handed her a card.
Penny’s throat grew thick. “You guys didn’t need to do this.”
“We're going to miss you, Pens.” Kelty threw her arms around her shoulders.
“Thanks for helping our boy get back in shape.” Tyler clapped Brett on the back.
“No thanks for helping Jordan,” Sean muttered, and Penny snorted.
