Page 28

Sebastian: I gave two tickets to tomorrow’s game to Annie

Sebastian: She’ll be sitting right next to you

Sebastian: Hope that’s okay

I urgently flip to my latest text chain with Calvin and type out my burning question to him and hit send.

Me: Do you know who Annie is?

Me: And have I met her?

Calvin: Your brother’s lady friend

Calvin: Not sure

Calvin: I met her the night he pissed her off

Calvin: She’s awesome

Calvin: She was also at the gala, though

I think back to the gala, but it’s all a haze. I met a lot of people that evening, and I avoided meeting some people by staying busy with the event details.

My favorite thing about running the gala is the built-in excuse of not being able to mingle because there are urgent event things to take care of. Being behind the scenes for foundation events definitely suits me well, but sometimes I miss details, like possibly meeting important people like Annie.

Another text pops in from Calvin, and my eyes glance at the message.

Calvin: You definitely met her brother, Ryan.

Me: Moore?

Calvin: Yeah

Oh. That explains a lot. I may have met Annie briefly, actually. I didn’t realize this Annie was also a Moore sibling and part of the Moore Family Foundation, where I originally connected Sebastian to Ryan and his family. I’m feeling a little less left out knowing this, although I’m not sure why I feel depressed in the first place.

I flip back to the text thread with my brother and shoot out a response.

Me: Sure, that’s fine

Sebastian: Great, thank you!

Sebastian: Also, can you bring her down to the family and friends section after the game?

Me: Yeah

Me: Anything you want to tell me, baby brother? *following eyeball emoji*

Sebastian: Can’t think of anything

Me: The family section???

Sebastian: Yes. The family and friends section. Also, for friends

I chuckle to myself. I don’t think I’ve ever heard the room called the family and friends section. There’s a room where players’ families migrate to after the game, mostly reserved for wives, serious girlfriends, and family members. I don’t often see casual friends hanging out there, but hey, what do I know? I only head down to the family room occasionally after a game, usually when my mom and sister are in town, when Sebastian specifically asks, or when Sebastian forgets something.

I flip back to the text chain with Calvin to spill the tea.

Me: Sebastian asked me to bring Annie down to the family area after *following eyeball emoji*