“Easy there, drama king.” Bryant appears, gripping his shoulder. “Let her at least clock in and see the gifts before you start love bombing her.”
I frown. “Gifts? What gifts?”
“She’s here!” Cam glides up from the back office with Kate and Freyja on her heels, and suddenly, I’m crowded on all sides, encased in a circle of familiar smiling faces.
“We missed you,” Kai tells me, empathy rolling off them in waves.
“Seriously, Davvies. Cam’s been a grouch since you’ve been gone,” Grant grouses.
Bryant slugs him in the arm, making him grunt.
“Have not.” Cam shoots him a contentious scowl. “I’ve got you scheduled as a floater today,” she says to me. “Figured we’d ease you back in.”
I hold back an eye roll. I was gone for two weeks. It’s not like I’ve forgotten how to do my job.
“And we all pitched in and got you these.” Arjun holds out an arm like he’s a presenter on a gameshow revealing a sizable prize.
A slim vase of flowers sits on the skate rental counter, along with cute earmuffs and matching gloves, a three pack of fuzzy socks, and an enormous bag of Skittles.
“That’s for me?” I ask, taking a tentative step toward the haul.
“Yes, silly. We’re glad you’re back. And we’re really glad you’re okay.” Cam leaves it at that.
By now, I imagine everyone has seen the video footage and that they all know some version of the story.
I don’t want to have to talk about what happened to Ty. I can’t bear to get into how or why it happened. I can’t fathom having to recall it or answer nosy questions.
So many people were hurt.
It’s done and needs to be over now.
Thankfully the group moves on to other topics pretty quickly.
“We could really use an extra player for broomball this week. Can I put you on the roster?” Grant asks.
While I’m grateful for the subject change, the thought causes dread to rise up inside me. The idea of going out and having fun like that? I don’t know that I can. I don’t know that I have the energy. “Let me think about it.”
“You’re not allowed to commit to that until you decide if you’re coming out with us this weekend,” Cam says. “There’s a huge party in Akron on Saturday night. A bunch of us are going, and Bryant’s the DD.”
“The DD who’s hoping to get lucky.” Kai snickers.
Bryant’s eyes go wide. But not as wide as Cam’s.
Grant lets out a sigh. “None of you take this league seriously. We have a real shot this year, people. I need you to bring your A game.”
Kate snorts. “You’re just mad you have to work on Saturday and can’t go to the party.”
As the chatter continues, I realize how silly it was to be so hesitant to return to work. If anything, being here surrounded by friends is the best place for me.
“Huddle up, fam. It’s love bombing time. Group hug!” Arjun says, arms out wide.
This time I don’t fight the eye roll. But when I’m swallowed up by arms and the warm bodies of people who care about me, the dismissiveness quickly transforms into uncontrollable laughter.
For the first time in two weeks, I don’t feel completely alone.
Ten minutes before the end of my shift, my phone vibrates in my back pocket. I scan the empty lobby and check over my shoulder to ensure Cam’s not around, then slide the device out.
I half expect to find a text from Noah or Atty. A small, quiet part of me wonders if maybe it could finally be a message from Ty. He hasn’t attempted to contact me at all. Not even through Atty.
