“Is Lisa going to be there?” Leo asks.
“Yeah, she texted me that she made sure we all got seats in the same section,” I explain.
“Oh, fun!” Tess says excitedly, clapping her hands.
For the rest of the ride, we talk about the bakery and the difficult customer we dealt with earlier. Leo mostly listens to the radio, staying in his own world, which might be exactly what he needs right now.
“Whoa, this is almost front-row parking,” Tess says, surprised as Leo pulls into a space. “Isn’t this where the players park?”
“It is,” Leo replies with a smile. “And staff. Which I technically am not, but since my company made a generous investment, they made an exception.”
“Billionaires really have it rough,” I laugh. “Thanks for letting me tag along.”
Leo smiles before stepping out and opening the door for Tess. I let myself out as well, and just then, a light rain begins to fall.
“Thank God we don’t have to wait in a queue outside. Your hair looks too cute,” Tess laughs as she hurries toward the entrance.
The closer we get to the rink, the more nervous I feel. By the time we reach the hall, it feels like people have already glanced at me several times. I keep telling myself I’m imagining it to ease my nerves, but part of me knows I need to stay grounded in reality.
The atmosphere inside the rink is intense. On the Grizzlies’ side, nearly everyone is dressed in blue and orange, voices blending into a loud, excited buzz. People hold cups with the team logo, munching on oversized pretzels and hot dogs. It’s exactly what I imagined, just not something I ever pictured myself being part of.
Leo somehow knows exactly where our section is, and we follow him to our seats. As we get closer, I spot Lisa waving at us from a distance. She’s wearing a cute orange mini dress paired with a blue jacket.
“Finally!” she calls out when we arrive. She hugs each of us, and when she reaches me, I catch a hint of her lavender perfume. “I texted you. Did you see it?” she whispers before pulling away.
I tilt my head and slowly shake my head no.
“No, why?” I ask, just as she steps aside to reveal a woman and a man standing behind her.
“Guys, look who it is. My parents decided to surprise Zane and come to his game,” Lisa says with a smile, though her eyes lock onto mine in a way that makes my stomach drop.
Oh no. I really regret not checking my phone.
The woman wears an orange Grizzlies scarf, while the man has on a blue shirt. His hair is mostly grey, but his features clearly resemble Zane’s.
“Mom, I’d like you to meet Leo, Tess, and of course Gwen,” Lisa says, gesturing toward each of us.
Suddenly, I become very aware of my sweaty palms and quickly wipe them against the sides of my outfit. The woman notices and closely watches my movements.
“Glenda,” she says, extending her hand and shaking each of ours in turn.
“Nice to meet you,” I reply with a smile that isn’t quite returned. Lisa shoots me an apologetic look.
“Dad, come meet our friends. Leo, Tess, and you’ve heard about Gwen, of course,” Lisa continues. She places a hand on the man’s shoulder, though he doesn’t appear particularly engaged.
“Hello,” the man says, offering no introduction whatsoever.
The ice hockey rink suddenly feels too small, the awkwardness in the air almost suffocating. I don’t know where to put my attention or how to act.
“I was about to get us a drink. Can I get you guys something as well?” Lisa asks.
“Why don’t I help you?” Leo offers.
Lisa agrees immediately, and the two of them head toward the bar together.
“Sorry,” Lisa whispers as she passes me. I shift slightly to give her space and smile back, hoping she understands it’s ok without me saying it out loud.
I watch them walk off, chatting easily as they go, and a small pang of jealousy hits me. I wish I had thought to offer first.
