Ishouldfeel lucky.
I’ve got the career, the penthouse apartment, the girlfriend every magazine calls “flawless.”
My team’s playing the best hockey we’ve had in years; analysts keep saying this could betheseason.
By every metric that counts, I’m winning.
So why do I feel like I’m suffocating in my own life?
My phone buzzes.
Kenzie:Mom and Dad are heading to Harvest & Hearth with Eli!You should come, big shot!I think the whole town is going to be there.
I laugh under my breath.I can picture it so clearly, Dad in a flannel that’s seen better days, Mom dancing in her boots, Eli probably trying his hardest to look like he is not having a good time.He probably is only going out because it's Adam's pub.He runs the pub my parents’ beef supplies.I can practically smell it through the phone: woodsmoke, cider, fried onions, laughter that doesn’t feel forced.
A smile breaks free.
When was the last time I went home?
I meant to make it down for the opening party, but I had a game, and Brielle wanted to go to a club opening instead.God, when was that?Shit...like a year and a half ago?
My fingers hover over the keyboard.Maybe.
Then I delete it.Stare at the blinking cursor for way too long and then type nothing.
I take the remainder of my drink in one gulp, and before I think it through, I am moving through my apartment.
“Babe,” I call out.“What if we skipped the gala?”
The dryer stops.The door opens in a burst of perfume and steam.Brielle steps out, radiant and cold all at once, every inch of her intentional.
She's in a silver gown that almost looks liquid, diamonds drip from her ears, icy blonde hair sleek, shiny and perfect.The kind of beauty that makes people stare.The kind that never gets mussed.
“Skipped it?”she repeats, voice smooth and precise.
Her hazel eyes are analyzing me right now, and it makes me shift, which really bothers me.
“Yeah."My voice cracks, so I clear it and continue.This feels right."My folks are going to be at Harvest & Hearth."
"Harvest and Hearth?I've never heard of it."
It wasn't a no, so I kept going."Adam’s throwing something.Remember the opening I wanted us to go to a while back?My parents are working with him; it's really cool what he's doing, incorporating local farms and makers into his farm-to-table-style pub.I have heard great things.It could be fun.I don't have a game tomorrow, so we could stay overnight."There is no reaction on her perfect face; she is standing still, staring at me.I feel like I am babbling.Like I'm a little boy instead of a thirty-year-old Hockey Captain."No press, no sponsors.Just fun.”I shrug.
Her brows lift and her lips thin into a stern line, like I’ve suggested eating out of a dumpster.
“Nate, we’re on the Kodiaks’ sponsor table.The team expects us there.You can’t just… bail.Not tonight.What would people think?”
Right.The team.The image.The unspoken portion of a sports contract.
Her attention is off of me now, like the conversation is over.She's on her phone, no doubt giving her fans a play-by-play of her day...night.
“Yeah,” I say finally.“You’re right.”
I text Kenzie back:Have fun.Take pictures.
Brielle checks her lipstick in the mirror by the door.“Ready?”
“Sure,” I say on a sigh and try to muster up a smile.
