“They get louder,” I said.
“I’m not surprised.”
“Especially once they bring out the limoncello.”
His dark eyes shifted my way. He wasn’t evaluating me the way men sometimes did. He was just checking to see if I was serious.
“That happens,” he said.
“Every time.”
“You’ve been to a lot of these.”
It wasn’t quite a question, but I nodded anyway. “Enough to know where to stand.”
Amusement crossed his face, gone before I could be sure I’d seen it.
And that’s when I realized he had no idea who I was. He showed none of the deference players defaulted to when they talked to the coach’s daughter, that thing where they were friendly enough to seem respectful but not so friendly it could be misinterpreted.
He was talking to me as if I was a regular person. It had been a long time since someone had done that.
This was the moment. I could’ve said, By the way, my last name’s Beecham. Just so you know. Just so this doesn’t get complicated.
It would’ve taken five seconds. It would’ve been the honest thing to do. Instead, I picked up my wineglass.
“I’m going to get a refill,” I said. “Do you want anything?”
“No.”
“You sure? It’s an open bar. You’re allowed to take advantage.”
“I don’t drink during training camp.”
“Smart.”
“Practical.”
I smiled. He didn’t smile back, but he didn’t look away either.
I went to the bar. The bartender was an older human guy who’d probably been working at this restaurant since before I was born. He refilled my glass without asking. I thanked him and tipped him even though everything was covered, and turned back to face the room.
Tolrek still sat in the corner.
I could’ve gone to the main table and found a seat near my dad or one of the assistant coaches, or even taken a space at the spouses’ table.
Instead, I strode toward Tolrek.
He tracked my approach the way he’d tracked Mikael earlier. He appeared aware of me, but he didn’t seem to care that I was walking his way.
When I reclaimed my spot against the wall, he grunted. “You came back.”
“I like this corner.”
“It’s a good corner.”
“Best one in the room.”
“Agreed.”
