“I love a snow day,” Grace says with a smile. “My psychology test was pushed back to next week.”
“Lucky.” Everly groans. “My philosophy professor sent extra homework by email. I swear the man is evil.”
“Do you want the chair?” Grace asks, looking at me.
I still haven’t moved from where I stand in the space between the hallway and living room. Are they asking me to join them because they feel obligated or do they really want me to join? I decide not to overthink it. They asked. If it sucks or I feel like a third wheel, I’ll duck out after the first movie.
“No, the couch is good.” I take a seat on the opposite side of the blue sectional from Everly. She offers me the popcorn bowl and I take a handful.
“All you’ve missed is Baby’s family driving to the resort for vacation,” Grace says, filling me in as she goes to the kitchen. “Soda, wine, water, or coffee?”
“Coffee with a splash of Bailey’s,” Everly yells, then they both look to me.
“Same.”
“Oh, and grab the leftover muffins.”
A few minutes later, the three of us have mugs of spiked coffee, popcorn, and muffins, and are fully engrossed in the movie.
I forget to feel uncomfortable with these two girls I don’t really know that well. Grace likes to provide commentary on scenes, and Ev shushes her or tosses a pillow when she doesn’t agree. And I smile as I truly relax for the first time with them.
At the end of Dirty Dancing, we’re a little tipsy and highly caffeinated. The three of us open the front door and look out. The snow is still coming down, but not as fast. The roads haven’t been plowed yet and it’s all so still and quiet out.
“Hey, I forgot to tell you. Your brother stopped by this morning to give you a ride,” I say to Everly as we close the front door and retreat back inside our warm house.
“I know. He told me. I wish I had still been here. My feet were so cold by the time I got to class and my jeans were basically soaked.”
“You have to dress for the Minnesota winter,” Grace tells her.
“I know. I know.” Ev smiles. “But my leather boots are so much cuter than the winter ones.”
“It’s your toes.”
As we settle back on the couch, Ev picks up her phone. “Speaking of Ty. He wants to know if we need anything? I swear he thinks I’m helpless without him.
“Pepperoni pizza, two bottles of wine, and a gallon of ice cream,” she says aloud as she types what I assume are those very words to her brother.
“We should watch The Holiday next,” Grace says.
Ev nods, still looking at her phone. “Yeah, I love that one. Bridget?”
“Sure,” I say and then ask, “Is he really going to bring you those things?”
“No.” She shakes her head. “I’m just messing with him.”
“He would if she was serious,” Grace clarifies. “Ty is the sweetest. Although not as sweet as Declan.”
“Declan?”
“One of my brother’s teammates.”
“Oh, did you used to date him or something?”
“No. He just used to look out for me a lot.” Everly looks to me. “I came to live with Tyler the second semester of my high school senior year after being expelled.” Her face feigns innocence over what I’m guessing is a very interesting story.
“They all looked out for you,” Grace says. “Still do, you just make it harder for them.”
“Like you’re any better with your dad.”
“My dad thinks I’m an angel who never has and never will date or kiss boys. He’s completely delusional about me growing up. At least Tyler and his teammates let you be you.”
“Let me be me?” Ev scoffs. “Do you remember the time they rolled up into theater practice and threatened Jacob Matthews that he’d better be nice to me and spread the word?”
I don’t cover my laugh in time. “Tyler did that?”
“All of them. Ty, Declan, Jack, and Ash.”
My heart flutters at his name. True to Everly’s word, she hasn’t mentioned Ash or tried to play matchmaker since I moved in. Not that I’ve given her a lot of opportunities.
“It was so great. Hands down the coolest moment of senior year.” Grace beams at the memory.
“I was mortified.” Ev looks at me as she speaks. “It was bad enough being the new kid, but once people found out Ty was my brother and I was living with Ash, it was mayhem.”