“You own the team.”
“Mydadowns the team.”
Molly slumped back in her seat. “Wow.”
“I think you broke her,” I said.
Deandra shrugged. “Not the first time it’s happened. So, Brenna, what happened to that ring of yours? I thought you were engaged.”
The abrupt change in topic gave me whiplash.
“Don’t mind her,” Kennedy said apologetically. “She’s in the early stages of soda withdrawal. It’s never pretty.”
Deandra’s longing stare at Molly’s drink earlier now made sense. She ignored my glare, her gaze fixed on Brenna. At the café, she’d stirred things up to make a point to me, but I had no clue what her goal was tonight. I prayed silently this conversation wouldn’t sink our entire night.
“Oh, she got rid of Jack,” Molly chipped in, repeating Kathy Quinn’s characterization. It baffled me how Molly and Brenna were this well-adjusted, given Kathy’s brand of dysfunction.
Deandra arched an eyebrow, one side of her lip tugging up. “Is that so?”
“Molls,” Brenna warned.
Molly continued, unaware of how she’d captured the attention of every adult around her. She happily chowed down on popcorn while watching the big screen over center ice showing a reel of highlights. “And now Nathan is her boyfriend. I like him better.”
I suppressed a laugh at the expression on Brenna’s face, a cross between shock and annoyance. She liked her privacy. Having our dirty laundry aired for all of Middlebury had been hell. But she also enjoyed this side of her little sister, when she playfully pressed her buttons. She feigned annoyance when I did it too.
Deandra poked Molly in the arm. “You, little wolf, are my new best friend. You’re invited to any game.”
Molly gave Brenna a massive smile, stretching the width of her face. “Did you hear that? We can come toanygame!”
I gazed over at Brenna, enjoying the way her cheeks reddened.
“It’s about time you two figured it out,” Deandra said in a warm tone. Her gaze shifted from me to Bren. “I’m happy for you. Seriously.”
“Thank you,” Brenna said, clearly taken aback. She hadn’t known Deandra like I did though. Deandra showed everyone pretty and popular, so they assumed her life was a breeze. But she had a lot going on behind the scenes. She was smarter and more generous than people recognized. A good friend.
I reached behind our seats to rest a hand on Brenna’s shoulder, reveling in her devastating grin back at me. I kept my hand there for the rest of the first period. Molly danced with Deandra and Kennedy when the Wolves scored a goal, making itonto the big screen. She also screamed, far louder than someone so small should be able to.
Our own little family.It had been so long since I had family, and I missed it. I’d forgo any other wish for the rest of my life as long as I got to keep them.
Brenna took Molly to the bathroom at the end of the period, leaving me an opening with Deandra. “Hey,” I blurted as she stood. “Can I ask you something?”
“I’ve already arranged to take her to the locker room after the game.”
“You did? Wow, thank you.”
She waved a hand. “Don’t mention it.”
“But that’s not actually my question.” I scratched the back of my neck. “I’ve been having trouble with my shoulder. Is there any way you can get me an appointment with the team doctor? I need someone at the top of the field.”
Deandra’s brow furrowed. “Why are you being secretive about it?”
“I don’t want my team—”
She cut me off. “No, with Brenna.”
“Bren knows. She’s the one who made me realize I need to face this.” The one who made me realize I could handle anything that came of it. “But she worries. I’d rather go to her with all the facts.”
Kennedy jumped in. “We can get you an appointment as soon as you need.”
