In a scratchy tux. At a boring table. With the last person I want to be with. Missing the person I wish was here the most.
Honestly, I wouldn’t be surprised if my dad told them to throw the banquet today… just another chance for him to ruin my birthday. And this way, he wouldn’t have to worry about his son going out drinking on his twenty-first instead of doing something to further his career.
“I’ll be right back,” Mollie whispers, leaning in to press a kiss against my cheek, but I move away before her lipstick can leave a mark.
“This banquet blows.” Tate grabs a flask from her purse and takes a gulp. “At least last year, there was good music.”
“I think Zeke bribed the DJ last year.” Fletcher takes the flask from her, taking a drink of his own. “If I didn’t know better, I’d think this is a retirement party.”
“Speaking of Zeke, where is he?” Cam wonders, looking around the venue.
“I haven’t seen him all night,” Jaxon says, his arm resting around the back of a redhead’s chair. I think her name’s Sadie, and she’s probably why Brinley decided not to sit with us this year.
“At least people are dancing.” I shrug, changing the subject.
“To Beethoven.” Brooks yawns. “We’re college kids. We play hockey. I doubt most of the people here know who Beethoven is.”
“Say the word, and I’m out,” Fletcher replies. “If we all agree to leave, what can happen, right?”
“I can’t,” I continue. “My dad will know, and you know how he feels about these things.”
Not to mention that my sister’s college career depends on me being here.
“Doesn’t mean we can’t leave.” Liv smiles at Brooks, a hand running up his arm. And that’s how we know tonight is a bust. Even Liv, who lives for these things, is ready to leave.
“We’re staying.” Brooks sighs. “We don’t leave a player behind. No matter how shitty this party is.”
“Please tell me this party blows.” I look up to see Brinley. It’s the first time she’s come to our table all night. “I mean, we’ve been watching the Hawks game on my phone for the last hour.”
“Oh shit, the game was tonight?” Fletcher groans, reaching into Tate’s purse for his phone.
“I thought you weren’t a hockey fan?” Jaxon asks, glancing over at Alex.
“I’m not.” He smiles. “But Brinley’s been trying to get me to watch some games, and I think I’m warming up to it. It’s been fun.”
“For you, maybe. I spent two hours one night trying to explain to him what icing was.” Brin laughs.
“Not really that hard to understand,” Jaxon adds.
Brinley’s eyes dart to Jaxon.
“I know, man, I’m oblivious about sports.” Alex takes Jaxon’s comment like a pro. “But Brin has been showing me your highlights to try and explain plays and stuff.”
“Like I play Jaxon’s videos when I’m trying to tell him what not to do.” She crosses her arms, and then tension rises between them.
When I glance over at Fletcher and Brooks, though, I can tell they’re in the same boat as me. Trying to contain their laughter.
“Anyway,” Brinley continues, “we’re probably gonna get going soon.”
“Won’t Mollie kill you for leaving early?” I wonder.
“She’s distracted by another Sanderson right now, so.”
Maybe Jaxon isn’t the only reason Brinley didn’t sit with us tonight. She’s been pissed at me the last few days, and I’ve been trying to figure out why, and now I know. She hasn’t even wished me a happy birthday, except for the text she sent that saidhappy birthday.This might sound normal, but any text Brinley sends without emojis is bad news. Maybe that’s the reason Ember’s been off too. I know I probably should’ve told both of them about the whole Mollie thing, but I guess I didn’t think it was that important.
I mean, I don’t like Mollie.
I’d rather be here with Ember. And if it were up to me, we would tell her brother about us. But I know she’s not ready, and I don’t want to push. I couldn’t exactly ask her to come with me tonight.
