“Bitchy?”
Zoey chokes on a laugh. “I was going to say abrasive, but I suppose bitchy works.”
“Yeah, she is, but this situation has brought out a new level. I didn't know she could be this bad. Lydia’s parents have always been rough and too hard on her, but this is a lot.”
“Why? I mean, Lydia is so accomplished and wonderful. Why don’t they treat her like the amazing person she is?”
“Her mom thinks she should marry for money and join the posh lifestyle she and Lydia’s dad live. Especially nowthat Lydia and I are together, she thinks Lydia is on a one-way ticket there. It’s hard because that’s the total opposite of Lydia.”
“It is. I never would have guessed Lydia came from them, knowing her as well as I do.”
“Me either. Honestly, I wish she’d cut her parents off. Her mom hasn’t even been excited about the pregnancy, just the networking opportunities it gives her, and it’s disgusting.”
“Sheshouldcut them off. What little I’ve interacted with her mom has been rough. I mean, she hasn’t even offered to help besides sending a list of people to invite and trying to convince us every day to switch the venue.”
I sigh heavily. “Yep. It’s weighing on Lydia that her mom only cares about that, and not her daughter.”
“I’m sure.”
“I appreciate you, Grace, and my mom for stepping in and doing this for her. It means a lot.”
“We’d do anything for her. I’m so excited for the two of you.”
“Thanks, me too. It’s going to be tough to have a baby in the middle of playoffs, but I know she’s got a good group of people to help her.”
“She does.” She rubs my arm. “We’ll take care of her, don’t you worry.”
“So, you and Lydia are officially together, then?” Adam chimes in from the row in front of us.
I flash a cheesy, uncontrollable grin. “Sure are.”
He laughs. “About time.”
“Yeah, yeah.” My tone is sarcastic, but it’s funny to me that even Adam could see how much I wanted her. He only saw us together a few times a year, if that.
We pull into the arena and exit the vehicle, headingdown to the locker room while our social media girl follows, taking pictures and videos of his arrival. Getting him on our team is going to be huge. Not to toot our own horn, but we’re a good team, and having a player like Adam is going to make us even better. That Adam and Calvin have played together since they were kids is going to be amazing. In any sport, when you play with someone on the same line for that long, you sort of create a silent, secret language with them. Calvin and I have one of our own, but we’ve only been playing together for six years. These two grew up together and learned to play hockey together. They know each other like the back of their own hand.
None of us knew this was a potential. From the sounds of it, Adam was planning on getting re-signed since his contract was up, but the team decided to trade him instead.
The news has been buzzing, as this was a huge, unexpected trade. Lucky for us, we got him. Once Adam is shown to his locker, poses for a few more photos, and takes a quick promo video, they let him know he’s good to go.
We’ll have a quick practice tomorrow morning so he can get acclimated to the team, but from the sounds of it, he’ll start at tomorrow night's game.
I open the text thread that includes everyone, including Hattie, and add Adam.
EMOTIONAL SUPPORT GROUP CHAT
Me: Game tomorrow at 7. I’ll get the suite reserved. Hattie, are you and Dylan in?
Hattie
Really? We’re invited?
Trigg
Of course you are.
Do either of you have jerseys to wear?
