She glanced at her phone. Almost five. The Snowballs had their first playoff game tonight, and she was definitely going to be there. She may get away with not going to all the regular season games, but Sean and her parents would kill her if she wasn’t there for this.
The game was at seven-fifteen, and her parents were having dinner beforehand at Moxies. Since she had the morning off, she was more than prepared. Her gloves and toque were already in the passenger seat, so Emma flipped around and drove straight to the restaurant.
After entering Moxies, she opened her coat and took in the contemporary décor. The warm lighting reflected off the wood furnishings, making the dining room feel cozy in the nearly-gone light streaming in from outside.
Sharla and Rob were already in a large booth with Kelty at the back, and they waved her over.
“Big night!” Her mother stood and gave her a hug. She wore a light blue sweater, and Emma spotted something white and fluffy sticking out of the top of her purse.
“Did you make snowballs, Mom?”
Sharla’s eyes lit up as she sat back down. “I already showed Kelty, but I’ll show you, too.” She pulled the pom-poms from the bag and they floofed out like new pillows released from their packaging.
“Those are something.” Emma laughed as her dad ran a hand over his bald head.
“She wouldn’t be dissuaded,” he muttered.
Sharla held the balls out and struck a pose with a wide grin on her face. “I’m just so excited for my boys. Had to do something special.”
“Rob, I heard she tried to put face paint on you.” Kelty took a sip of her pop.
He put his elbows on the table. “Tried to paint my entire scalp.”
Emma laughed and sat down on the bench next to him. “If that wouldn’t motivate a team . . .”
“Exactly, Emma. That’s what I told him.” Kelty clicked her tongue and picked up her menu.
The ambient hum of conversation made Emma almost sleepy as she settled into the bench and scanned the entrees.
Her mother sighed. “I can't believe the Snowballs made it to the playoffs for the third year in a row.”
"Well, Sharla, they’re the best team in the province,” Rob grunted.
“I’m aware. It’s just a big accomplishment.”
Emma thought about Tyler, how he wished he’d gone pro and missed his chance. The Elite league, though well-regarded and competitive, wasn’t close to the NHL. Did he feel like this was celebration worthy?
"Sean’s always been dedicated . . .” her mother was saying. Emma settled on a quinoa power bowl and set down her menu, struggling to keep her mind from conjuring images of Tyler standing at his desk, his eyes focused on the computer screen.
"What's everyone thinking of ordering?" her dad asked.
"I've heard great things about their honey garlic sirloin,” Kelty answered.
Sharla pointed at the middle of the menu. "I'm in the mood for their classic chicken burger. And a Caesar salad on the side."
"Make that two chicken burgers."
Emma grinned. “You two have been married too long. Quinoa bowl for me.”
“Is that how you say that?” Rob squinted at the word.
Their server brought drinks and took their orders, then her dad insisted she fill them in on the new job. Kelty’s eyebrow raised when she heard it was Tyler’s dad who’d offered her the job, but she didn’t comment.
Emma was grateful when their food arrived and she could focus on eating. Focus was a strong word. She felt like she was on a merry-go-round with her brother grabbing the handles and taking off at a sprint.
She’d been lucky today. Troy hadn’t come to the house, but would he come tomorrow? When would Tyler touch her—how would he touch her? When would he steal a kiss?
Once they'd finished their meal, Rob signalled for the check while Sharla and Kelty freshened up. “You doing okay, honey?”
