“You guys haven’t been picked for the Olympic hockey team yet. Maybe this will be your year,” Mateo supplied.
Trevor snapped his fingers at Mateo. “See, now you’re talking.”
I always hated when the topic of me being an Olympian came up, but sitting here with Mateo’s family, the familiar wave of discomfort never followed.
“Do you have a lot of competitions coming up?” Steven asked, Jayden perched on his lap. Steven Barnum reminded me a lot of my dad. Both silent and a bit stoic with a no nonsense attitude, but when it came to the kids, that hard exterior evaporated.
“There are a few coming up. Next week is regionals, which can be a big deal since it’s the first competition of the season,” I explained.
“Is there a way to watch it?” Evelyn questioned from her seat beside Steven. I paused, unsure if I heard her right.
“You… You want to watch it?”
“Of course we do.” I scanned her and Steven’s faces, trying to find any sort of false sincerity, but I found none. Emotion clogged my throat that these strangers, because that’s what they were, would want to watch my skating competition.
I swallowed the lump in my throat as a hand rested on my thigh, squeezing reassuringly.
“It should be on one of the sports channels at noon next Friday.” I managed to say.
“We will definitely be watching,” Josie added as well.
I clenched my fork in my hand, unnamed emotion building in my chest and the back of my eyes. It was stupid to be emotional at people wanting to watch me skate, but after years of feeling like no one cared, it was nice to see some did.
Mateo’s hand rubbed up and down my thigh. The action helped ground me as I worked on shifting through my feelings so I wouldn’t cry at the table. From the way Mateotalked about his family, I knew they were good people. I just didn’t expect them to direct that kindness toward me. It’s no wonder Mateo turned out the way he did.
“I want to skate,” Wrenley said. I could have hugged her for distracting me from what was building up inside me.
“I don’t know how long you guys are here for, but…we could always go to the rink tomorrow,” I suggested. “If your mom and dad are okay with that, of course.”
“Mommy, can we?” Wrenley asked. Well, more like pleaded.
"We don’t leave until Sunday morning, so we do have time.” Josie glanced at Wyatt who shrugged. “Is everyone game to go to an ice rink tomorrow with the kids?” she asked the table.
A chorus of approvals echoed as everyone agreed.
Josie grinned at her daughter. “Does that sound good to you, Wrennie?”
“Yes!” She nodded her head so vigorously, her cute pigtails hit her face. Everyone at the table chuckled at her enthusiasm.
We all lapsed into comfortable conversation after that. Funny stories about the kids were told, fun tidbits about Mateo growing up, talks about the upcoming hockey season as well as football were passed around. Despite having just met everyone, I never felt more welcome. I never experienced big family dinners growing up with my dad, but I think I finally understood the appeal.
The next hour flew by, and before I knew it, plates were emptied, conversation turning somber and relaxed as the setting sun cast a warm glow in the apartment. The kids had long left the table to finish their movie, so it was just us adults.
“Anyone else want a refill?” Lydia asked, coming backfrom the kitchen, wine bottle in hand. She filled a few glasses before stopping at Tasha. “More?”
“Oh, no, I’m all good.” Tasha shook her head. If she hadn’t been seated right across from me all night, I wouldn’t have noticed the quick look she gave Trevor.
“You’ve only had one glass.” Lydia raised an eyebrow.
I wasn’t going to be the one to say anything about how Tasha’s wine glass was full and then somehow lower and lower when she hadn’t touched it the entire dinner.
“Not really in a wine mood,” Tasha said, but even to me, it came off a little forced and awkward.
“Yeah, you’ve been acting off the entire time we’ve been here,” Mila butted in, leaning forward.
Tasha shifted in her seat at the attention. Beside her, Trevor dipped his head to whisper something in her ear. I glanced around at the others to see what was going on, pausing at the look on Mateo’s face. The way he was staring and smiling at the couple was like he knew something.
I shifted closer and nudged his side. “What’s going on?”
