Chapter 27

Stephanie

The week at school drags, which is both bad and good. It’s bad because I’m having a hard time focusing on teaching. It’s good because each day that passes brings me a day closer to Sunday, the day I agreed to go to Sebastian’s parents’ house. I’m thankful I at least have my car back. I don’t know how Sebastian managed to do it, but my car was delivered sometime early Wednesday morning. That helped me tremendously during the week.

Friday finally comes, and I’m glad Bri’s already planning on having me over. I think I would have begged her at this point; I don’t want to spend all weekend by myself at home. I don’t know what’s gotten into me; it’s never bothered me before.

I show up at her house a little after six with a bag loaded with snacks for the night. I knock, and she lets me in a minute later. “Hey, come on in. Ooo, you brought snacks. I was hoping you would.”

“Have we ever had a get-together without snacks?” I ask.

“Good point.” She closes the door behind me and follows me into the living room where she’s already set us up with pillows and soft blankets, as well as sparkling waters.

“I shouldn’t have gone to the store when I was hungry.” I start pulling snacks out. “I’ve got beef sticks, cheese sticks, bbq Doritos, kettle corn, a veggie tray with hummus dip, and these new veggie crisps I”ve been dying to try.” Once everything is set out on the coffee table, I kick off my shoes and join her on the couch. “So, what’s the plan for tonight?”

“I pulled up a few movies I thought we might enjoy.” She rattles off a few; I don’t recognize any of them. I’m not much of a movie watcher; I’m more of a reader...hence the author side-gig.

She fiddles around with the controls, pulling up several movies. I pull out a cheese stick and some of the veggie crisps. “When is the game tonight?” I ask casually.

Bri turns towards me immediately. “Why?”

I shrug. “I was just curious.”

She stares at me with her wide eyes, missing nothing. “You want to watch the game?”

“Do you?” I turn the question on her.

“I always want to watch Aiden play; I just felt bad making you watch it because I know you’re not really into hockey all that much.”

“I don’t mind as much as I used to,” I manage to say calmly. A slow smile builds and grows on Bri’s face. And because I know her so well, I know I’m not going to want to hear what she has to say. “Don’t.”

“But—”

“Nope.”

“But you—”

“Bri, don’t.”

“YouwanttowatchSebastianplay!” She manages to say it all in one breath.

I sigh, trying to decide if I want to do this tonight. “You know what? It’s been a long week. Fine. You’re right. I want to watch Sebastian play. I miss him. All right? Is that what you want to hear?”

Bri stares at me, wide-eyed. “I can’t believe you just admitted that.”

I grab a pillow and pull it close to my chest. “Me neither.”

Her face falls. “Stephanie, what’s going on? I’m sorry; I shouldn’t have pushed,” she says gently as she sits next to me.

“I don’t even know. I’m a mess. I don’t know what’s the matter with me. I’ve never been like this before. I’ve never minded going home to my empty house before; now it’s too quiet. I feel lost and completely unsettled.” I stand to my feet, needing to move. “I think I’m hormonal or maybe I need to cut out caffeine. I just feel so off.” I wring my hands. “Why do I feel this way? What’s wrong with me?”

“You’re in love.”

I gasp and choke and then sputter. “What? No. No way. You’re...that’s ridiculous. You’re so wrong.”

“Am I?” my best friend asks.

“Yes,” I say emphatically. “I can’t believe we’re even having this conversation.”

“Okay, maybe I jumped the gun a little,” she admits.

“You think?” I ask dryly.

She waves me off. “Maybe you’re not in love...yet. But you’re definitely feeling something.”

“Yeah. Frustration. Annoyance. Hormones.”

Brielle shakes her head. “You’re feeling lonely. You’ve had Sebastian in your life now for a little bit. He stayed at your house a few days, Stephanie. Now, you feel lost and alone without him around.”

“No, he—”

She puts her hand up, stopping me. “You had a chance to see what it’s like to not be alone for a little bit.” She smiles. “You can’t tell me you don’t like sparring with the guy. The sparks coming off of you two when you get going are like flames.” Her smile dims. “You’ve been alone for so long, Steph. And then this ray of sunshine crashed into your life and lit it up. He showed you everything you’re missing. He showed you what it’s like to have someone to come home to, to go places with, to laugh with. He did things to show you that you’re cared for and special.”

I hate the tears that well up in my eyes. I blink furiously which of course starts the waterworks in my tenderhearted friend. “That’s not true.” My words are a whisper. “I’m not alone.” My voice breaks, and I swallow. “I have my parents, and I have you.”

“You will always have me, Steph. But you need something more than just me. And your parents...” she makes a small grimace. “I don’t know if you should count them. I mean I know they’re your parents, but they’re never around.”

“But I like being alone,” I say.

She waits a moment. “Are you trying to convince me or yourself?”

I open my mouth, but nothing comes out. I have nothing to say. I reach for a sparkling water and take a long drink. “What time is the game?”

She lets me redirect. “It starts at seven. They’re probably doing pre-game stuff now. Want to watch?”

“Only if you do,” I manage to say.

“I do!” She settles on the couch and gets her device out to put in insulin. I settle on the couch, feeling anxious and no less stressed than I did when I got here.

“I’m going to run to the bathroom.” I stand up and slip away. In the bathroom, I give myself a few minutes to calm down. I splash some water on my face and stare at myself in the mirror for a moment. Brielle’s words come to mind. You’ve been alone for so long. I squeeze my eyes shut and will the words and the thoughts that accompany those words far away. Yet, they linger. I think of all the missed birthdays and Christmases with my parents. Whatever babysitter I was with did the best she could, but it wasn’t the same as having my parents around. Then as I got old enough to stay home alone, they would leave on trips for longer and longer times. By the time I went to college, I was used to living alone. Brielle isn’t right about one thing, though. Sebastian isn’t the first ray of sunshine in my life; Brielle was the first. She was a bright spot in the midst of a tough transition. I sometimes wonder where I’d be in life if I hadn’t met Brielle. I can’t even imagine; she’s been the only good friend I’ve had in the past decade. I squeeze my eyes shut and push away these annoying, negative thoughts. I take a deep breath and throw back my shoulders and head back out to the living room.

Brielle smiles at me. “It’s just about ready to start.”

“How come you never go to away games anymore?” I ask, curious. She used to go to lots of Aiden’s away games.

She scrunches up her nose. “Those were so stressful; I don’t miss away games at all.”

We both direct our attention to the tv when they announce the visiting team. My eyes are glued to the screen as I see the Green Thunder players enter the arena. They always look so mean and intimidating on tv; and I guess they kind of are. I find myself getting nervous as the game gets ready to start. I wonder absently if Sebastian’s’ head still hurts. I try to get a good look at his face, but it’s too hard to see under his helmet. I squeeze my hands tightly when they get into position. Bri reaches over and pats my hands. “He’ll be okay. He was fine in Tuesday night’s game,” she says quietly.

I decide right then and there that I need to get whatever streaming service needed so I can watch all the Green Thunder games. And no, I am not going to think about why that matters to me so much. The puck drops, and the game starts. Bri and I are sucked in instantly, yelling at the refs, throwing up our hands at cheap shots, and throwing popcorn at the players that slam our guys up against the boards. Of course, Aiden does his own fair share of checking guys. But Brielle cheers for each of those...because of course, she does.

My eyes stay glued to number eighty-five. When he sends the puck to Aiden, and Aiden scores, I jump up right alongside Brielle and cheer. Aiden scores again before the end of the first period, putting us up 2-1 as we head into the second period.

I look over at Brielle. “Aiden’s on fire tonight. What’d you do to him?” I ask, wiggling my eyebrows.

“Nothing like whatever you’re suggesting,” she says with a laugh. I like teasing her, but I know there’s nothing sexual between the two of them...well, besides the looks they give each other and the make-out sessions I’ve had to endure a time or two. Gag. I happen to know that Brielle wants to wait until they’re married, and I think that’s great. What’s even greater is that Aiden is perfectly okay with it as well...most of the time.

The second period starts, and the other team scores within the first two minutes. We both groan but settle in to watch the action because we both know it’s payback time. It’s a wild second period with brutal hits. But Aiden manages to score yet another goal, and Brielle’s on her feet screaming. When she finally settles, she turns to me. “And that’s how you do a hat trick. Three goals,” she says proudly.

We head into the third period, 3-2. The third period is a nail-biter after they score another goal, tying the game. We groan as they circle up and celebrate. I watch as our guys gather and get ready to go at it again. Brielle and I are on our feet for the remaining five minutes. There”s never a dull moment. The puck is back and forth, with neither team able to score. And then finally, with less than a minute in the game, Zac clears the puck from behind the net and gets the puck to Gunner. Gunner spins and sends it sailing to Aiden. Aiden flies across the ice, with Sebastian right on his tail. Aiden gets close and sends the puck backwards to Sebastian who sends it flying into the net. Score!

Brielle and I scream and jump up and down. I turn and happen to glance at the screen in time to see Sebastian lift his left hand and point to his fourth finger. I freeze. I saw him do it at the game I’d been at, but I didn’t know he still did it.

Brielle shakes her head. “He’s doing that weird thing again. I asked Aiden about it, but he says he doesn’t know why Sebastian does it either. He’s been close-mouthed about it.” She turns to me and then glances back at the screen; then back at me. She watches the replay, and I see her put it together. “Oh, my word. He’s pointing to his ring finger.” She turns to me. “He does it for you!”