“I’ve watched him skate a few times. We usually have weight training in the morning and he uses the rink at the facility when he’s not training with his coach. The focus, the discipline—it’s incredible. He makes it look effortless but you can tell how much work goes into every movement.”
My mom’s expression softened. “Is that so? Théo must have forgotten to mention it.”
“It’s not that serious, mom. I’m just getting my legs back.” I focused on cutting up a potsticker into smaller pieces with my chopsticks.
I felt my mom’s eyes focus on me but Derek’s voice drew her attention away.
“He’s being modest. He’s magnificent.” Derek reached for the teapot and refilled my cup without being asked. “I don’t really get all the technicalities of the sport. It’s like when you hear a song in a different language. You don’t understand the words but it sounds beautiful anyway.”
“That’s a lovely way to put it,” my mom said quietly.
Hana jumped in, sensing I needed a lifeline. “Théo’s been helping me practice plating for my culinary finals. He has a really good eye for composition.”
“Years of costume fittings,” I said dryly. “You learn what works visually.”
“He’s got good taste in food too,” Hana continued. “He actually gives real feedback about what I make instead of just saying it’s good.”
“If I just said everything was delicious, you’d never improve. That’s not friendship, that’s flattery.” I nudged her with my elbow. “Besides, your improvement from week to week is totally impressive.”
“See? Helpful.” Hana grinned. “Unlike Avery, who just inhales everything and asks for seconds.”
“That’s also helpful,” Avery protested. “It means it’s good!”
My mom was smiling now, something warm and relieved in her expression. I realized what they were doing—Hana and Derek, maybe even Avery. They were showing her I wasn’t alone here. That I had people. That Chicago wasn’t just a place I’d fled to but somewhere I was actually building a life.
“It sounds like you’ve found a good group here,” my mom said, looking around the table. “I was worried when Théo first moved. Toronto was... difficult. But this—” She gestured vaguely at the chaos of steamers and laughter and easy conversation. “This is good. This is really good.”
Hana jumped in, bright and eager. “The Frost is basically one big extended family. I love it. Théo and I watched a few games together but my brother’s boyfriend has a box.” She glanced at my mom. “We should take you while you’re in town.”
“A few games?” Derek perked up, surprise and something like pleased curiosity in his voice.
“I thought you hated hockey,” Avery grumbled around a mouthful of food.
Heat crept up my neck. “It’s… different,” I said, keeping my tone casual. “When you’re not the one being compared to your brother.”
Hana’s smile softened. “He’s actually fun to watch games with. He pretends he’s above it but he gets invested.”
Derek laughed—that low, warm sound I was becoming embarrassingly addicted to. “He’s particular,” he said, like it was a compliment. “Knows what he likes.”
My mom was watching the exchange with sharp, knowing eyes. But for once, they weren’t looking for cracks. They were looking at something whole.
The conversation moved on—Hana talking about her upcoming practicum, Avery recounting a disastrous hockey game from his peewee league that had the whole table laughing—but I felt my mom’s gaze return to me more than once. To me and Derek. The way we sat close together. The way he automatically passed me dishes without asking. The way I leaned slightly toward him without realizing it.
After most of the food had arrived, Derek excused himself.
“I’m going to use the restroom,” he said, pushing back his chair. “Be right back.”
He was gone for maybe five minutes. When he returned, he slid back into his seat like nothing had happened, rejoining the table mid-debate about whether pineapple belonged on pizza. Hana said absolutely not. Avery would eat a leather shoe if it was slathered in cheese. My mom was diplomatically neutral.
It wasn’t until we asked for the check that we discovered what he’d done.
“Already taken care of,” our server said with a smile.
Everyone turned to look at Derek.
Avery shook his head. “You’re slick.”
He shrugged, the tips of his ears turning pink. “You’re hosting your mom. Seemed like the right thing to do.”
