“Don’t apologize, they tend to only talk to a handful of people. They see events as a business meeting, if you aren’t on their radar for investments or partnerships, they’ll avoid any unnecessary conversation with you.” It’s true, my parents will play nice if you come up to them, but they won’t speak to you out of their own free will.
“I don’t know how they managed to raise such a kind and loving daughter. You are nothing like Olivia, she’s cold and you’re like the sun my dear” Heather beams.
You can whip your children into shape mighty fast when you break down their confidence and beat them.
The familiar sounds of clicking comes from outside the building. Camera flashes go off as someone walks into the restaurant, and —to my surprise— Sam comes strolling in with Chris by his side.
He and my brother have been best friends since college, they met playing on the Livler team and both ended up playing for Dallas. Sam has nothing but air between his ears, but I love him anyway. He has a lot of love in his heart, and is just as protective as Chris when it counts.
My heart swells, I love seeing them both, even more when they surprise me. I get out of my chair and rush up to them, acting like I haven’t seen them in months.
Chris picks me up and spins me around, “how’s my favourite sister?” He asks.
“I’m great now that you’re here!”
I feel Sam wrap his arms around me and take me out of Chris’s grasp, “my favourite human being ever!” The people around us shoot us nasty looks before returning to whatever boring conversation they were having before we interrupted.
Sorry I’m happy you Debby-downers.
The sound of clicking cameras continues, usually I would be worried but all the windows are tinted, and there’s a zero percent chance security at the front door will let them in.
Steph walks up to us, giving both the boys a side hug before standing next to me. “How’s my favourite little shit?” Chris asks, cocking an eyebrow in Steph’s direction.
“Causing just as much trouble as ever, you’d be proud” she responds, pretending to be bored.
“I betIwould be” Sam laughs.
We walk back to the table, my arm linked with Chris’s and I catch the last bit of Heathers conversation with the waiter, “that would be amazing, thank you.”
“What would be amazing?” I ask.
“They just offered to give us a separate room for some more privacy. I figured it would be nice.”
We move into the back of the restaurant and take a seat in the dimly lit room. Black and white pictures cover the walls, mostly consisting of different cities, but some of beautiful women as well.
I can’t help but be jealous of them. Their effortless beauty and genuine smiles make my heart clench… I wish I were more like that.
“I guess I have you two to thank for these idiots showing up?” I ask Steph’s parents.
“I thought it would be nice, they’re never in town for long and I wanted to catch up with them as well. Might as well take the opportunity while it’s there” Shane smiles, clamping a hand on Chris’s shoulder.
I can’t stop smiling.
Dinner flies by, not a single thing went wrong and I got to spend some time with my big brother. When we start to exit the restaurant, saying goodbye to Heather and Shane, the paparazzi come barreling out of their cars.
Sam instantly covers Steph’s face, hiding her from view, while Chris does the same with me.
“Chris, we can’t let them see us” I yell over the loud questions being thrown at us from every direction.
“I know, we’ll get you out of here” he yells back. “Sam. Car, now!” He barks.
They push through the crowd of people, keeping Steph and I as concealed as possible. My heart pounds in my chest, the thought of my picture being plastered over every single magazine and gossip website makes my stomach churn.
I can’t have anyone find out who I am.
Everything would change, no one would treat me the same, I would get used, my skating career would turn into something about my brother. I would be in the spotlight, but for reasons I don’t want. I want to be the centre of attention because I did something great, not because TMZ is spreading rumours about me being my brothers new conquest.
Gross.
