End Game

by Emily Goodwin

  I carry Jackson outside and buckle him in his car seat. As soon as we get downtown, I’m hit hard with nostalgia.

  “Why do you look sad, Aunt Winnie?” Jackson asks, taking my hand. I help him out of the car and smooth out his costume.

  “I’m not sad,” I explain. “I didn’t realize how much I missed this until right now.”

  “You can always move back,” Mom points out like she always does.

  “I know.” Usually, when Mom says stuff like this, I counter it with all the reasons why I wouldn’t want to. But today, I don’t. Because I could move back here, and the more I look around at the effort the town puts into Halloween for the sake of the children living here, the more I want to come back. “It’s a nice place to raise kids.”

  Mom stops dead in her tracks. “Are you and Archer thinking about moving here?”

  “I am,” I say slowly. “And maybe Archer in a few years.”

  “A few years?”

  I nod. “He got accepted into that fellowship he wanted, but it’s in Boston.”

  Mom opens her mouth only to close it again. “And he’s going?” she finally sputters.

  “Yeah. And he should. He’s been working towards this since he was eighteen, after all.”

  “You’d think he’d be ready to be done with school,” Wes says, avoiding eye contact with me.

  “Yeah,” I agree. “It’s not a permanent position or anything. Just two years of the program and then he’ll be a certified trauma surgeon. I think. I’m not sure how that all works.” I let out a breath. We stop at the first storefront and Jackson gets in line to get candy. Mom sees someone she knows, which isn’t hard to do in Eastwood, and goes over to talk to her. My mind is whirling, and my due date hangs above me like a ticking time bomb. I can move after Emma is born, I know, but I’d like to figure this out before then if possible.

  I always thought I’d come back here, that my kids would grow up with their cousins and Mom and Dad would babysit on Friday nights so I could go out on a date night with my husband. Then I got my current job and realized how proud it made me to hold the position I do as a young adult woman and I didn’t want to give up my career and be a stay-at-home mom in a small town.

  It’s funny how things change, and while working at one of the fastest growing software companies used to be my only driving force in life, being the best mother I can be is so much more important.

  Jackson jumps around with excitement when he sees another kid dressed as a Jedi, and they do a little pretend fight scene. Jackson ‘wins’ and says he has to go and save more planets.

  “He knows nothing about Star Wars,” Wes laughs.

  “No kidding.” I slow my pace, getting another pain in my side. I feel it more when I’m stressed, and right now I’m pretty damned stressed. Wes slows with me, making sure I’m okay.

  “Can I ask you something personal about Daisy?” I ask and start walking again.

  “Sure.”

  “When did you know you two weren’t right for each other?”

  He considers my question. “Probably a few months after our wedding.”

  “Why did you stay together then?”

  “I didn’t want to admit it to myself or to anyone else. And I think part of me felt like it was a challenge I had to win. Relationships are hard, and I don’t quit things.”

  “Do you wish you did?”

  “Quit? Yes and no. I wouldn’t change anything that would make Jackson not be here, but I think of the wasted time Daisy and I spent together. This might come as a shock, but we weren’t exactly happy. Why are you asking?”

  “Just curious.”

  “Are you wondering if you and Archer aren’t right for each other?”

  I shake my head. “No. Well, kind of. I think we want different things in life and it concerns me. He’s really focused on his career, which isn’t a bad thing at all. I used to think I was, until she came along.” I pat my belly. “Family’s always been important, and now that I’m going to have my own, it matters more than anything.”

  “When will you see him next?”

  “Tomorrow. He got the weekend off and is meeting me here.”

  “Have a talk with him about all this. One of the biggest things Daisy and I did wrong was not talk about the nitty-gritty stuff. I avoided saying half the things I should have said because I didn’t want to end our marriage. But it’d been over for months before Daisy left. If you and Archer aren’t compatible, it’s best you figure it out now.” He gives me a sympathetic smile.

  I nod, feeling both relief and anxiety. “Thanks, Wes.”

  He puts his arm around me. “Of course, Quinn. You know I’m always here for you.”

  “I know.” That’s another reason I’d love for Emma to grow up here. Not only is it much safer than Chicago, but she’d be surrounded by people who love and support her.

  I accidentally left my phone at home while we were trick or treating. Not that it’s a big deal or anything, but I did miss two calls from Archer followed by a text that says he got called into work and will be there all night.

  Frowning, I hope he got at least a few hours of sleep. I text him back and take a shower, then sit in the living room with Mom and Dad for a while before going to bed. Rufus jumps up next to me and walks in a circle three times before laying down in the middle of the bed. I roll over, putting my arm around him. He lets out a groan and starts panting.

  “Fine,” I say with a huff, getting out of bed to turn the fan on. I check my phone, just in case, though it’s been next to me the whole time and I’d know if Archer contacted me. I think about what Wes said, about how the need to clearly communicate what I want in a relationship is so important.

  I want to be with Archer. I’m in love with him, and I want to raise our daughter together. But more than anything, I want us to be happy. Missing him and feeling pretty damn disappointed we won’t see each other tomorrow, I look through our vacation photos until I fall asleep.

  I wake up to someone sitting on the edge of the bed. I’m still tired, a little groggy, and not ready to get up yet.

  “What are you doing?” I ask, eyes not focused enough to tell if it’s Owen or Logan yet. They’re identical twins, but I’m able to tell them apart.

  “You awake?”

  My brother leans in, and I don’t have to see to know it’s Owen. “You smell like a distillery,” I say and push him away. Brushing my hair out of my face, I sit up, eyeing the clock. “Why are you drunk at seven in the morning?”

  “Why aren’t you?” Owen shoots back.

  “I’m pregnant.”

  “Oh, right. Why’d you go and do that?”

  I flop back and pull the covers over my head. “Archer was too irresistible.”

  Owen stretches out and lays down, pulling my pillow out from under my head. “That’s what the ladies say about me.”

  I yank my pillow back and give him a shove, and he falls off the bed. “Did that baby give you super strength or something?” he slurs.

  “Yes. Better not piss me off even more, or I’ll set you on fire with my mind.” Yawning, I throw the blankets back and get up to pee. When I get back, Owen is at the foot of the bed with Rufus. I grab my brush from my bag and run it through my hair. The stairs creak, and Logan makes his way into my room.

  “There he is.”

  I raise an eyebrow. “You lost him again?”

  “Not technically. I knew he was here.”

  “Why is he here? And you? It’s so early.”

  “We had a bachelor party at the bar last night. With strippers and everything.” He wiggles his eyebrows.

  “So that’s why Owen is drunk.”

  “Partly,” Logan says, lowering his voice. “Charlie was there. With her boyfriend.”

  Charlotte—Charlie—Redford was Owen’s only long-term girlfriend. Things seemed to go really well between them, and then Owen did something stupid, like he usually does, that made her break up with him. He claims it only bothers him becau
se she got away, but I still think he’s in love with her.

  “Whose bachelor party did you host?”

  Logan shrugs. “Some guy named Bill. It was a crazy night.”

  “Looks like it. Though you still never answered my question on why the hell are you here?”

  “We were supposed to go four-wheeling with Jeff and his brother, but this loser is too drunk to operate any vehicle. I dropped him off here so Mom could spend some quality bonding time with her third-favorite child.”

  “You mean so Mom can clean up his puke.”

  “Basically. I don’t want to do it later.” He pokes at Owen, and, realizing he’s asleep, takes his shoes off. “Sorry he woke you up. I told him to see if you were up because I brought donuts and coffee.”

  “Smart to bring a bribe. Is Mom even up yet?”

  “She’s out walking the dogs.”

  I fold down the blankets and cover Owen up. “I’m sleeping here again tonight. If he barfs in the bed, I’ll be pissed.”

  “I won’t barf,” Owen mumbles.

  “Go back to sleep,” I tell him and follow Logan down the stairs. I take my donuts outside, sitting on the patio with Logan while we eat. It’s a chilly fall morning, warning us that winter is right around the corner. Hell, the weather could turn midday and we could wake up to snow in the morning. That’s the weather in the Midwest for you.

  After Logan leaves, I shower, get dressed, and find something to eat again. I sit in the living room, turning on the TV and call Archer, getting his voicemail. He’s either in surgery or sleeping.

  I think.

  “Are there any donuts left?” Owen asks, slowly coming down the stairs.

  “I’m surprised you remember going to get donuts.”

  “I always remember donuts.” He brings the box from the kitchen and sits on the couch next to me, taking the remote.

  “I’m watching this,” I tell him.

  “This show is shit.”

  I grab the remote from his hands. “You woke me up. Now you have to watch musicals with me.”

  “Fine,” he grumbles and bites into a donut. “What’s new with you?”

  “Nothing yet. Still trying to figure things out.”

  “Stop trying and just go with it.”

  I give him a skeptical look. “Is that what you do?”

  “It’s worked out for me so far. Overthinking never leads to anything good.”

  “You’re right on that. Overthinking leads to second-guessing.”

  “Exactly,” he says with his mouth full.

  I put my feet up on the coffee table, yawning again. “Thanks, O.”

  “Of course, Q. I’m full of brotherly advice.”

  I roll my eyes. “Too bad it’s not all good advice.”

  “Hey.” Owen elbows me. “Better me than Weany-Deany.”

  I laugh. “I haven’t heard you call him that in years.”

  “He deserves the nickname after the way he freaked out about you and Archer.”

  “True. He’s coming around now.”

  Owen shakes his head. “He’s fucking ridiculous. Can you get me water?”

  “Really?”

  “Really.”

  “Fine,” I say and take the last chocolate donut on my way to the kitchen. I fill two glasses with water and go back to the living room, watching the rest of the movie and talking to Owen. Then he goes upstairs to crash in one of the guest rooms, and I go out to lunch with Mom and Dad.

  I still haven’t heard from Archer, and I’m getting worried. I call his cell again and this time it goes straight to voicemail. Half an hour goes by, and the worry gets worse

  I want to tell him I don’t want him to go to Boston. I need to say my piece and I know Weston is right. I need to be honest and have the best communication as I can. That’s why there’ll be no regrets. I’ll be careful not to tell him what to do but will express my own feelings on the topic. But mostly, I need to make sure Archer is okay.

  I have Sam’s number, and I pull it up. Archer wanted me to have it in case I needed to get ahold of him while visiting in Indy. After Bobby threw the door open at me, Archer’s been a little overprotective while I stayed with him.

  Sam answers after two rings. “Hello?”

  “Hey, Sam. It’s Quinn.”

  “Oh, hey. Is everything okay?”

  “I think so but wanted to check on Archer. I can’t get ahold of him and I know he’s been working a lot. Is he around?”

  A few seconds of silence tick by. “He didn’t tell you?”

  “Tell me what?”

  “He’s in Boston.”

  29

  Archer

  I sink into the driver’s seat, squeezing my eyes shut for a second before starting the car. I just got home from Boston, and I have a headache. Both from lack of sleep and from everything going on. But after talking with my mother, I knew what I had to do. You make sacrifices for your children, and in the end, they’re worth it.

  I have two missed calls from Quinn, and it’s been killing me not to call her back. I wanted to wait until I was in the car though, so she wouldn’t hear the sounds of the airport. Leaving the parking garage, I call her, and she answers after the first ring.

  “Hey, babe,” I say. “Sorry I missed your calls. I was in back-to-back surgeries.”

  “You’re at work?” she asks, voice flat.

  “Yeah. But I’m out now.”

  “Sure.”

  “Are you still in Eastwood?”

  “Yep. That was my plan. Stay here this weekend.”

  “I can meet you there.”

  “Are you sure that’s what you want to do?” she snaps.

  “Yeah. Quinn…” I exhale heavily. “We need to talk, okay?”

  “We do.”

  “I’ll be there in a few hours. Are you at your parents’ house?”

  “Where else would I be?” she asks, voice tight.

  “See you soon. I love you,” I tell her, but she doesn’t say it back. She just hangs up. Swallowing hard, I put my phone in the cupholder and think about everything that’s happened in the last twenty-four hours. I know I made the right choice.

  Will Quinn think I did too?

  I hope and pray I don’t run into traffic, but I make it just a few miles from the airport and come to a standstill. It’s Saturday afternoon and along with regular traffic, there’s an accident closing down several lanes. I tap the steering wheel, feeling more and more anxious as time ticks by.

  Everything I’m doing is to benefit our family in the long run, and I still have faith it’ll all work out. I think of the life I had at home before Bobby started using. Our father worked hard to provide for us, and we had a damn good life. Which makes my anger at Bobby even stronger. We had a good thing going and he threw it all away.

  I don’t know how I feel about him moving to Eastwood and spreading his shit in the quiet, safe town Quinn still calls home. My mother has a point about taking Bobby away from the group of friends who are nothing more than enablers, but is moving away enough?

  Traffic starts moving again, and my heart speeds up knowing I’m getting closer and closer to Quinn.

  Quinn’s Porsche is the driveway, and the dogs start barking as soon as my Jeep bumps into view. I put it in park and rush out, going in through the garage the way Quinn always does. The dogs are in the backyard, barking at the door, and I find Quinn out there with them.

  “Hey,” I say, stepping onto the patio. She’s on the glider, with a blanket draped around her shoulders. Her eyes are a little red, looking like she was either crying or is really tired. Given the fact that she’s been here all day, I’m leaning more toward crying, which worries me.

  “Hi,” she says, giving me a feeble smile. “How was work?”

  “Busy.” I sit on the glider next to her. I put my arm around her, heart swelling in my chest. Fuck, I missed her. Quinn rests her head on my shoulder. A cold wind blows, rattling the remaining dried corn in the field. “Want to go inside? It
’s cold out here.”

  “Sure.” She wipes at her eyes, holding the blanket tightly around herself and follows me. The house is quiet.

  “Where is everyone?” I ask.

  “They’re getting a drink at Getaway. Even Jackson. Nothing alcoholic, of course. And the bar isn’t even open yet.”

  “Did they know I was coming?”

  “Yeah. They wanted to give us space.”

  “That was nice of them.” I sit on the living room couch. Quinn takes a spot next to me, keeping the blanket wrapped around her shoulders.

  “It was.” She looks away. “And speaking of space…are you going to tell me you need space?”

  “No, not at all.”

  “Then why did you go to Boston without telling me?”

  Shit. “How did you know?”

  “I was worried about you and called Sam. Why did you lie?”

  My brows pinch together. “I wanted to do it as a surprise.”

  “Do what?”

  “Turn down the fellowship. Since I’d already accepted, I wanted to formally rescind my spot without burning bridges.”

  Quinn sucks in a breath. “You turned it down?”

  “Yeah.”

  The blanket falls off her shoulders. “Why? I thought you wanted to be a trauma surgeon.”

  “There’s something else I want more. You.”

  “But I could have come with you.”

  “I know. You wouldn’t like living there basically on your own, and it’s not what I want either.”

  “Tell me very clearly what you do want.”

  “This.” I sweep my hand out at the living room. “A house in the country surrounded by family. Nothing is more important to me than you and Emma. I want to raise her together.”

  “Are you sure?”

  “Positive.” I reach into my pocket and pull out the ring. “Positive enough to give this to you.”

  Quinn’s eyes widen and her lips part. “Just give it to me? Not ask anything along with it?”