As I wait in line to get into the arena, I check my phone.
No new notifications.
I bite the inside of my cheek as the guilt for being here eats at me.
I should be home. Nights are my responsibility with Dad. Will should be at work, not at home so I could come here.
I pull up our text messages and send him one.
Me
It’s not too late to go into work. I can come home right now. Wyatt would understand.
Will
Lyla, get off your phone and enjoy the game. I got Dad. One night off isn’t going to ruin anything. Now go have fun.
Me
Are you sure?
Will
If you ask me that again, I’m going to post an embarrassing photo of you online and tag Wyatt in it.
Me
You wouldn’t.
Will
Don’t test me. Now go have fun!
Sighing, I pocket my phone as the line shuffles forward.
With nothing else to do, I look around. The differences between a football game and a hockey game are night and day. There is a different energy here. Football fans are excited to be there, but the Walker football team isn’t the best. They invest all their money into the hockey team. Standing in this arena, the difference is clear.
“Ticket?” the doorman asks when I step forward.
He scans the ticket on my phone and lets me pass. I look down at the ticket again to look at my section and seat number. It takes me three minutes to find my section and I head down to my seat.
“Excuse me,” I murmur as I step past a couple.
Finally, I reach my seat and sigh.
“Hey, you made it!” Cora says when she turns to see me.
“Hey, I didn’t know you would be here,” I tell her.
Looking down, I see my seat is right next to her.
“I come to all the games.” She smiles.
“That’s awesome. Did you know our seats would be next to each other?” I ask as I sit down.
Cora nods. “I did. Wyatt asked if I was okay with it, and I obviously said yes. I had meant to text you earlier to see if you wanted to come together, but work was crazy and I forgot.”
“Everything okay?”
