“Carm?”

“You were right not to tell me while I was driving.”

“Can I get you a glass of water?”

“A bottle of tequila might be better.” She exhales a slow breath. “I can’t … This is … I don’t even … ” She shakes her head and rubs her temples. “Did you talk to him?”

“I did.”

“What was he like? Is he still in town?” She looks utterly stunned, much like I was when I first saw him.

“He looked like a much-older version of the dad we knew, I guess. And yes, he’s still in town and he’d like to see you, but I wanted to be the one to tell you. I didn’t think it would be good to surprise you the way I was—one head-injured Smith at a time and all.”

She laughs a little but then grows serious. “What did he even say? Do you think I should see him? God, it’s been twenty years. This is so—”

“Weird?”

“I was going to say fucked up.”

“I think you should do what you think is right for you. He apologized for leaving us, explained why he did, but it doesn’t erase the past, and it doesn’t make it hurt any less that he started a new family and left us all behind like we were nothing.”

Carmen leans back, running her hands over her thighs. “I was what? Nine when he left? I remember things weren’t good right before that happened.”

“Not good how?”

“Things were off. I mean, they were off a lot, but I remember Adam saying shit was about to hit the fan or something. I didn’t really get what it meant, but then a week later Dad up and left, and Adam wasn’t even the least bit surprised. He said he figured it would’ve happened a lot sooner.”

Adam is ten years my senior and the middle child, also a twin. He went to college out of state, and I see him maybe once every two years at best. Carmen is the only sibling I’ve stayed close with. The rest of them scattered as soon as they were old enough.

It’s no wonder Ethan’s family has always felt so much more like mine than my own, because they were the only constants in my life, along with Carmen.

“I don’t know if I want to see him, Lilah. I’m not sure it’s worth digging up all of those skeletons.”

“I guess the question is, will you regret it if you don’t see him while you have this chance?”

Carmen rubs her forehead and sighs. “Probably?”

“Then I think you should. You don’t have to forgive him or let him back into your life, but I think hearing what he has to say firsthand isn’t a bad thing. If nothing else, maybe it’ll get us some closure.”

“I guess. What about this half sister?”

I smile. “Emery. When you’re ready, I think it would be great if you could meet her. She goes to college here and she’ll be local for a few years, so maybe we can build something there.”

“Do you think she’ll like me?” I’ve never heard Carmen sound so unsure of herself.

“I think she’ll love you as much as I do. You’re a lot alike, actually.”

It takes Carmen less than an hour to warm to the idea of meeting Emery. Ten minutes after that, I’m calling our father so I can arrange for us to meet Emery for dinner. He agrees to drop her off and seems understanding, although slightly disappointed, when I tell him that Carmen isn’t quite ready to see him, yet.

We arrive at the restaurant a few minutes early. Carmen is nervous, touching her hair, adjusting her shirt. “Maybe I should’ve worn a dress instead of jeans. Do you think I’m too casual?”

“You’re fine. She’s a college student. You’re not interviewing for a job; you’re meeting your sister.”

“Oh, shit.” She flaps her hands in front of her face. “I don’t want to cry.”

All hope of holding back the tears is lost when Emery walks through the doors, looking equal parts nervous and excited. When she sees me, she hesitates for a second, so I take a step forward. She rushes over and throws her arms around me, hugging me hard.

After a few long seconds, in which tears threaten and spill over, she lets me go and turns to face Carmen. I can’t believe I didn’t see the family resemblance until now. Where Carmen is dark haired, Emery is fair like me, but the shape of their faces and the wide smiles are the same.

“Carmen, this is Emery. Emery, this is your sister Carmen.”

My heart suddenly is full as I’m pulled into their embrace. I’m fortunate to have this love, and in this short life, it’s best not to take it for granted.

Dinner with Emery is exactly what we all need. I would invite her back to my place afterward, but I know her parents aren’t in town long and that Carmen and I are going to be here when they’re not, so we make plans to get together for a girls’ night soon, and Carmen and I go back to my place.

“I really like her,” Carmen says on the drive home.

“She’s great, isn’t she?”

“Do you think that went well? It seemed to go well.” Carmen chews her bottom lip.

“It went as fantastic as meeting a half sister you didn’t know you had could go.”

She laughs a little. “God, we’re a messed-up lot, aren’t we?”

“At least the new half sister is your only drama,” I reply.

As if on cue, my phone buzzes from inside my purse. I haven’t checked it since I called to make arrangements for dinner. I rummage around in my purse until I find it and check the screen.

“It’s Ethan?”

I leave the message unchecked for now. “It is.”

“Does he know yet?” Carmen asks softly.

I shake my head. “I haven’t had an opportunity to talk to him since all of this happened.” I don’t even know if they won the game.

“Don’t you think you should tell him?”

I finger the charm on my bracelet. “I don’t think this is the kind of family drama I want to unload over the phone, you know? Besides, I’m not even sure what’s going to happen between us.”

“You can’t tell me you’re still on the fence over this.” She reaches over to flick the bracelet as if it proves some point.

And I suppose in a way it does. I haven’t taken it off. I carry him with me wherever I go.

“I don’t even know if he’s going to be here next year. What if he’s traded again and he ends up somewhere across the country?”

“Then you figure it out. Maybe you quit your job here and live in a new city. Or maybe Minnesota keeps him and he stays here. Either way, I think you’ve already made your decision.”

“I needed him to have faith that he can do this on his own. That I’m not the reason.”

“I think he’s proved that in the playoffs. And let’s be real here—I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again, you are part of the reason.”

“I’m not,” I snap. “Ethan’s performance on the ice has nothing to do with me.”

Carmen gives me her calm-your-ass-down face. “Maybe not directly, but he’s happy with you.”

“But what if it’s only because he’s doing well this season? What if he doesn’t get traded and he stays here but then next season is terrible for him? Then what?” I voice the fears that have plagued me these past weeks.