Their Coach made them both release statements this morning about what happened, trying to downplay it. Judging by the looks I'm getting…no one believes the carefully orchestrated half-truths and evasions about tempers running hot and disagreements on the field. I think half of them are here, hoping to see them get into another fight.
I hear the whispers, but I just pretend not to hear them until I'm at the entrance to the box and Vanessa is throwing open the door for me.
My heart sinks into my shoes when I see my mother inside, dressed like she's on her way to a gala instead of at a dang football stadium. Honestly, who wears heels and a little black dress to watch football?
"I tried to call you to warn you," Vanessa whispers quietly.
"Thanks for trying," I grumble.
She squeezes my fingers in a show of solidarity. I was a little worried she'd be mad at me over the fight, but she texted me last night to tell me that my brother is an idiot. That made me feel better.
"Henrietta," Mom says, turning with a glass of wine in hand. Her gaze travels up and down my body, her nose scrunching up.
"Mother," I say, trying to forestall whatever criticism she's about to lob at me. I'm already anxious about how today is going to go. I do not need her adding to it. "I'm surprised to see you here."
I shouldn't be surprised, though. Tye and I are all over the news. Of course she's here to try to get her five minutes.
"Why would I not be here, dear? Your brother is playing, and the poor boy got hit in the face yesterday. Of course his mother is here."
"He deserved it," I mutter, not bothering to remind her that she rarely ever shows up to Tye's games, not unless she thinks she's going to get something out of it. She's the same way withBriggs, even though he plays for the Wind right here in Chicago, too. I don't think she's been to a single one of Harlan's games since he signed with the Knights in Los Angeles.
Sometimes, I think it's my fault that things are tense with her and my brothers. Most of the time, I let them convince me that it isn't. Today is one of those days when I refuse to feel guilty.
The sad truth is, they prefer it when she isn't there, trying to make everything about her. That's not my fault. It's hers. And I just want to watch Sidney and Tye play, eat nachos, and enjoy myself.
"Of course, you're happy your brother got into a fight with Sidney," Mom says, shaking her head like I'm the biggest disappointment in the world. "Honestly, Henrietta, not everything needs to be about you."
"Whatever you say." I drop into a chair, turning my back on her. I'm over worrying about what she thinks or what the rest of the world thinks or what they're going to say. For today, at least, I'm going to pretend they don't exist.
"Are you ready for this weekend?" Vanessa asks, sinking into a seat beside me.
"I am." I grin over at her. "I'm probably going to die trying to ski."
"That makes two of us," she says, giggling.
There's a loud knock on the box before the door cracks open.
"Briggs!" I shout, jumping out of my seat when I see him ducking through the door, grinning. I practically fling myself at his chest.
"Hey, Half Pint." He scoops me up, spinning me in circles.
"Put me down!"
He just grins, kissing me on the cheek.
"What are you doing here? I thought you couldn't come." His team is flying out in the morning for a game. Because so many of theirs overlap with Tye's, they don't get to watch each otherplay often. I always love it when they do get to go with me, though. Even though it means more eyes on me, I get time with them. There isn't ever enough of that during football and hockey season.
"Something came up," he says, winking at me before his gaze drifts toward our mother.
My shoulders slump. "Vanessa told you?"
"Nope." He sets me on my feet, tapping me on the nose. "But I might have talked to your man."
"What?" I gape at him. "Sidney asked you to come?"
"He mentioned that you might need back up," he murmurs, smirking at me. "Guess Tye told him that she was here."
Tears sting my eyes as I glance down at the field. They're talking? God, that makes me so happy. The absolute last thing I want is for the two of them to be at each other's throats over me.
