Page 196 of Only Ever You

She pulls out her phone and checks the time, groaning. “I’m sorry, really. I was sure I had more time. I don’t know how it got away from me.” She faces me, her deep brown eyes, the same color as my husband’s, pleading. “Don’t be mad.”

“I’m not mad.” I turn on my heel and head to the front door. “Did you at least finish your essay?”

“Yes! Thank God.”

“Then it’s all good.” I step out into the hall. “If we’re lucky, Michael will be there on time. Otherwise, the landlord might think you’re an irresponsible tenant. Don’t let them think you won’t pay your rent on time, you know?”

The groan she lets out makes me smile. Michael is already on his way, so that part is covered, but this girl needs to be more responsible. She got kicked out of the dorms two months ago after she and her roommate were caught throwing parties—twice. The alcohol was the biggest issue, since neither is old enough to drink legally, and the administration didn’t play around. Meg took the blame, saying it was her fault, because her roommate is there on scholarship. She’s been living with us ever since.

We don’t mind having her at all. It’s actually fun to have her around, and her presence means I’m not lonely when Michael is on the road. But we know how important it is for college students to have independence. It wasn’t long ago that we were her age. So when Meg mentioned she was looking for her own place and wanted to ask her parents for permission, we supported her.

Though finding something near us suitable for an eighteen-year-old has been an adventure. Aunt Ava and Uncle Colton demanded she be close to us before they’d agree, and honestly, we want that too.

Meg follows me down the hallway to the elevator. “Your brother is so annoying sometimes,” she grouses behind me. “He thought he’d have more free time now that the season is over, but since they’re gearing up for spring ball, he’s busy with conditioning. When I talked to him earlier, he spent the whole time whining about how important studying finally is for him. Apparently, if he’s caught missing classes or falling behind, the coach will bench him.”

The elevator dings and the doors open. Once we’re inside, I peer at her, one brow raised. “And when did you talk to Ian?”

Her jaw drops as she pushes the button for the lobby. The way she looks everywhere but at me tells me my suspicions are right. I knew I heard her talking to someone in a hushed voice when I walked past her door.

“Fine.” She hangs her head. “He called, and I…I couldn’t not reply. I miss my best friend. I’m sure you understand how it is.”

The way she and my little brother always pull the best friend card with me and Michael is actually astonishing.

“I do, and you can tell my brother I said hi.” I narrow my eyes. “But please stop lying to me. I do not appreciate it, and neither does Michael.”

She lowers her gaze to her feet. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have done it.”

The elevator stops, and while we wait for the door to open, I turn to face her. “You shouldn’t have. Michael and I are always on your side. Don’t forget that.”

God, sometimes, I feel like I’m her mom, and I don’t know how I feel about that.

“Did I sense some tension between you and Meg?” Michael asks as we walk down the street hand in hand.

After we toured the apartment, the three of us had lunch, and then Meg went back to our place, saying she still had homework to do. Whether that’s true or not, I couldn’t say, but I think it had more to do with her desire to keep her distance after our little talk in the elevator.

She’s been very secretive lately, about a lot of stuff. Despite her declaration she doesn’t want to play hockey because she’s focusing on her studies, I don’t think the change has been easy for her. She misses it a lot.

“Just a little. We’re fine.”

“Okay.” He lets go of my hand and drapes his arm over my shoulder, pulling me to his side. “She can be a handful.”

“Nothing we can’t handle.” I snuggle into him. “And I think working with kids has helped me understand her better.”

He lets out a booming laugh. “Babe, you’re working with four-year-olds. Meg is eighteen.”

“Almost nineteen.”

“Exactly, and you’re comparing her to your four-year-olds.”

“Fine. You’re right.” I giggle. “I think I understand her because just like Meg misses hockey, I miss figure skating. Even a year after the Olympics, it’s still bittersweet not doing the one thing I dedicated my life to for so long. In my case, helping Elena with her school and having you by my side helps a ton. Meg needs to find an outlet too.” I worry my bottom lip, considering ways I could help her.

Michael plants a kiss on the top of my head. “Talk to me. Tell me what’s going on in that pretty head of yours.”

“I know she wants to live on her own, but…what if she really needs us? Needs our company? I hate the idea of her being lonely.”

“She will always be welcome at our place, and we’ll find something close to us, I promise.” He stops, halting me in my tracks, and releases me.

I turn to him, and he circles his arms around my waist, head tipped back.