Page 10 of Unrivaled Love
"And we love kno-" I trail off when I catch the swish of a chestnut ponytail in the crowd and the world turns to sepia tones. My eyes know before my brain does and I zero in on Jo Hamilton. She stands next to my mom and her stance is the dictionary illustration of pissed off.
After seven years I figured the first time we made eye contact it would be an ethereal moment. Clouds would part. Birds would sing.
Instead there is a chill in her gaze that puts ice in my veins.
I clear my throat, "Uh, we umm, we," my words jumble as I stare out at her.
I blink and try to look anywhere else because her eyes are laser beams set to destroy me and I am trapped in their crosshairs. I grip the podium like it’s a life float and forcibly angle my shoulder away from her to help me refocus. As soon as our eye contact breaks I suck in a breath. "What was I saying?" I ask and the crowd laughs.
Felix approaches to rescue me from my total system breakdown. His eyes are conveying empathy. The opposite of the absolute loathing I caught in Jo's.
"You were saying you love knowing our fans are behind us as we start to prepare for next season!" He starts clapping to encourage the people to do the same and he all but shoves me back in line.
“The fuck was that?" Crosby whisper-yells over the crowd from one side of me as he claps.
"Boba Tea, you okay?" Emmett, my linemate on the right wing, asks from my other.
"Yeah. Nothing. Fine." I mumble. My eyes dart side to side as I try to find her again.
"Something broke Bryson." Cros jokes to Duncan on his other side and all I can do is blink and try to keep myself upright.
My body feels completely locked up but loose at the same time, like the brush of a feather could send me toppling over like a utility pole.
I've never told my parents Jo and I don't speak anymore. It wasn't my choice to end the years of friendship, and more, we shared. That was all her.
But she never actually ended it, did she?
She just completely vanished from my life.
The only reason I know she's alive and well is the fact I watch her SLCFC games whenever they're on. The closest I have been to her was seeing her play yesterday and whatever passed between us just moments ago.
I want to jump off the stage and chase after her.
I want to know why the smile I’m forcing is radiating pain into my temples.
Felix stands back and helps remove the sheet draped over the statue. The gathered fans clap and cheer and all I hear is a high-pitch squealing like my brain is a dial-up modem establishing a connection.
After a few pictures we’re dismissed and I hurry off the makeshift stage. My parents flank me for a few pictures as the event winds down.
"Still so proud of you Bry," My mom says with a pinch of my cheeks followed by a hug.
I laugh. "Thanks Mom." But my knees feel like they’re about to give out. I need to get out of here. Away from people. Away from the temptation to search for Jo in the receding crowd.
"What happened up there?" My dad asks. "When you lost your train of thought."
Do I tell them it's because Jo was shooting daggers at me?
"I, umm, just got distracted by the crowd for a minute. It's been a lot."
"Is the schedule slowing down at all?" Mom asks as we walk towards the sidewalk.
"Yeah, The Cup starts making its daily visits now so the full team stuff slows down.” I crack my knuckles to try and relieve some of the tension in my body but it doesn’t do much.
"You're bringing it to the Christmas in July festival, right?" Mom asks as she pulls her ringing phone out of her pocket.
"Yeah.” I roll my head side to side to stretch out my shoulders even as fond memories filter in. The Christmas In July event my hometown organizes is huge. Stalls of vendors selling gifts, ornaments, treats, and thousands of people come together. “I think we’ll do the parade early and have a little rally.”
"When are you going to head back home?" Dad asks with a look at Mom who answered her phone and mumbled something likeanother delayas she stepped aside.
