"Walker, are you proud of your son's game?" One of the reporters asked, encroaching the woman and man's space. Once the question was asked, Melanie put two and two together as she looked at Noah's parents.
"That's right," Abigail said. "How did I not recognize them? You know, Noah's father was a hockey player himself, one of the best. And his mom used to be an ice-skater."
When Melanie became aware of the fact that she was in the same vicinity as Noah's parents, it nearly made her break out into hives as she tugged at the neck of her sweater. Noah's parents were here in the same room as her, and to top it off, they were celebrities. The reporters were asking them questions with the equal enthusiasm they would ask a rising star like Noah. And Noah's father spoke with the same charm and wit Noah had, tossing grins after his every word that made the reporters lean forward, eating up his words. His wife was different. She seemed uncomfortable in front of the press, and instead, stuck to speaking to Julie.
"I think you have some competition," Abigail said, pointedly, and Melanie rolled her eyes, even though, technically, her friend was right. If she remembered correctly, at the beginning of the semester, it was quite obvious that Julie had a crush on Noah, and at one point, Noah himself insinuated that something had happened between them during a 'study' session.
Melanie's jaw ticked as she looked at how familiar they were. Did they already know each other? Had Julie and Noah dated before, and he never told her? But then again, why would he tell her? Melanie sighed. This was why she didn't date because it drove her insane.
"I think we should go," Melanie said. She would congratulate Noah later. Besides, he was probably going out to party again with his friends, and after the last time she got drunk, there was no way in hell that there would ever be a repeat of what happened that night.
"But," Abigail started, and Melanie grabbed her friend's wrist, ready to drag her out if she needed to. Now wasn't the time for the hockey fan to come out of Abigial. Melanie didn't really want to be here anymore. It was one thing to deal with her students; it was another thing entirely to deal with Noah's parents. It made her uncomfortable, like she would get caught doing something wrong. Like the moment they saw her, they would know she had done some inappropriate things with their son, so Melanie didn't want to see them at all.
"Wait," Abigail said, snatching her wrist back. "Noah came out."
Melanie's heart nearly leapt out of her chest as she turned back around to the locker rooms to see indeed that Noah had stepped out and was next to his parents and Julie. The moment he did, a slew of reporters surrounded him, all pointing microphones and cameras in his face, ready to get the latest comment from the big star.
"How did you feel about tonight's game, Noah?"
"Do you think your father is proud of you?"
"Do you think your team will make it to the Frozen Four?"
"Have you talked to any of the pro hockey teams?"
"Are you going to stay in Massachusetts and play for the Jetters?"
Questions were hurled at him in every direction and the ones Noah could answer he did, but there was one question in particular that even caught Melanie's attention.
"Is this girl your lucky lady?"
All cameras turned to Julie, who was standing on the opposite side of Noah. She blushed immediately and put her head down. Melanie felt her own heart constrict against her chest painfully as she waited for his answer. She never thought Noah to be a playboy, but technically, he was. After all, the first moment he met her, he tried to sweet-talk her.
What if he didn't really like her? And even if he did, was she just one amongst many that he played with? Melanie gnawed on her bottom lip as she waited for his response, going crazy in her head of what he might say. This was why she didn't date, especially young boys like Noah, who could have whoever they wanted. Why would he want someone like her when he could have someone young and fun like Julie, who was his age and wasn't his professor? No one would question their relationship, and even right now, they looked good next to each other and right for one another. Melanie was in over her head and should have never crossed the line, and now she felt foolish as she stood there and watched Julie stand next to Noah and his parents as though she belonged there with his family, whereas Melanie wouldn't look right at all.
"Oh, she's just a friend," Noah said, chuckling as he gripped Julie's shoulder in a familiar gesture, one that invoked nothing but friendship and left Julie looking slightly disappointed as she tried to laugh herself. Abigail elbowed her, but Melanie ignored her as she continued to watch, ignoring the relief she felt in her chest from Noah's response.
After a few more questions, Noah finally managed to escape some of the press when Coach Benson pushed them away, directing them towards some of the other star players on the team, though none of them were nearly as big as Noah. Once they were gone, Noah's eyes searched the packed hallway before they landed on her, and a bright smile appeared on his face. Within seconds, he dodged and weaved through the crowd before he made it to her.
"Hey, Noah," Abigail said with a knowing grin split on her face. Melanie sighed and rolled her eyes. She really shouldn't have told her friend anything. Abigail acted as though she and Noah were dating now. Melanie only told him that she would think about it. That didn't mean they were in a relationship now.
"Congratulations," Melanie said, giving Noah a bright smile. "You won the game."
"Thanks to you," Noah said with a wink. "You were my good luck charm."
Instantly, Abigail cooed, and Melanie rolled her eyes as she shoved her hands in her pockets, trying hard not to blush as she felt flowers bloom in the deepest pits of her stomach.
"Don't thank me. It was all you," Melanie said. Noah chuckled, and Melanie felt even more embarrassed. Melanie was going to tell Noah to stop teasing her when she noticed Noah's parents walking over to them, along with Julie. Suddenly, Melanie found herself standing up straight, nervous at the very idea of speaking to them. She knew she should have left, and though it was worth it to see Noah smile at her, the thought of talking to his parents made her feel cold and terribly nervous.
"Who's your friend?" Noah's mom asked, a crinkle in her eyes as she smiled warmly at Melanie. She was a skinny woman, as tiny as a stick, but was beautiful, nonetheless. She and Noah carried the same blue eyes. But Noah's looks definitely came from his father, who closely resembled him with the same sharp features.
The question she asked seemed to stun both Melanie and Noah as they both had a hard time defining who she was to him, which was exactly why Melanie didn't want to meet Noah's parents. If they were to date, how could she ever explain to them that at one point, she had been his professor? What parent in their right mind would be okay with that? They would be ready to call the school board on her, or worse, the police. Should he just call her a friend for the time being?
But before either of them could respond, and the silence draw on longer, Julie answered for them both.
"This is Professor Bryant. She's our professor for the psychology course we're taking together," Julie said as she smiled at Melanie.
Melanie smiled back, though she didn't feel it as she shook hands with Noah's parents. She snuck a glance at Noah, who seemed a bit peeved with Julie's response. Maybe he had also been thinking the same thing Melanie had been. Too bad, Julie had made that decision for them. Then again, it wasn't like it was something they could hide forever anyway. One quick Google search would let them know Melanie's occupation and what her age was, which was older than their son's, even if Melanie didn't look it.
