Page 80 of O Goalie Night
Xan scowls and snatches the monstrosity from her hand. Beth grins.
“Oh good. I just grabbed the tackiest one and hoped for the best.”
I can hear Gwen’s howl of laughter from the hallway.
“You miserable cu–”
“Bye, Xan! Don’t trip over your cloven hooves on your way out!” Beth slams the door in her face.
She takes a few deep breaths before turning to face me. We stare at one another for a few beats before I erupt into laughter.
I laugh long and hard, the kind of laughter that makes your stomach ache and your lungs burn. Beth joins in which only makes me laugh harder. She covers her mouthand I’m not sure if it’s because she’s trying to quiet herself or she can’t believe the things she just said.
Eventually, we get control of ourselves and calm down.
The urge to hold her is so strong, but I remind myself where we are. I settle for looking at her like she’s the most incredible thing I’ve ever seen, because that’s exactly what she is.
She smoothes her hands over her hair and straightens her dress before saying, “I think that went well.” And the laughter begins again.
CHAPTER 32
BETH
“The salmon is delicious.”
I make the statement not to proclaim my appreciation for the fish I’m eating, but to break the awkward silence at our table.
The ballroom at Chateau Laurier is tastefully decorated with green and gold, the team’s colours. The high ceilings are adorned with elegant crystal chandeliers that twinkle in the dimly lit room. The tables, covered in pristine white linen cloths, are set with fine china and crystal glassware. Each place setting is accented with a festive napkin, folded into intricate designs, and a sprig of holly. A string quartet plays Christmas songs from the small stage at the front of the room.
The rest of the tables seem to be having a great time. Animated conversation and laughter swells around us. And while I’m happy to see others enjoying the all-out splendour of the evening, I wish that my own party were feeling a bit more festive.
Ben and Valentina are barely speaking. When theyemerged from the bedroom to find everyone gone, things appeared to be better. Strained still, but better.
I’d worried that I overstepped by asking her friends to leave. But watching Xan be so disrespectful to Ben in his own home set me off in a way I wasn’t expecting.
Seeing her put her nasty little hands on my boyfriend was the straw that broke the camel’s back.
My brother seemed almost gleeful when he realised they were gone so I didn’t let myself feel too bad for kicking them out.
But now we’re having dinner and the tension is building once again. Valentina said little on our way here and has spent most of dinner on her phone, hardly touching her food. Ben, on the other hand, made friends with one of the servers who has been bringing him a fresh drink every twenty minutes.
On the other side of the table, Kim and Alexei appear to be in their own private bubble. I can’t help but watch as they communicate through glances and gestures. Alexei can barely tear his gaze away from the mother of his children. He’s usually so reserved and stoic on the ice, but he transforms into someone else entirely around his wife, completely tuned in to her every mood and movement. Kim looks radiant in a shimmering gown, even as she’s forced to sit farther away from the table to accommodate her almost comically large belly. Alexei’s hand is gently resting on the back of her chair, his thumb lazily stroking her shoulder as we eat. He leans in close to whisper something and she laughs, her face lighting up while he gazes at her like she’s his entire world.
And then there’s Foster who, true to form, is quieter with so many people around. He can’t hold my hand orput his arms around me because of where we are and who we’re with, but I’ve appreciated each time he’s brushed his leg against mine under the table tonight.
One unhappy couple, one obnoxiously in love couple, and one very happy couple who can’t tell anyone they’re a couple makes for strained conversation.
After dinner, there are speeches from the owners celebrating the achievements of the team. Arthur Stetson, the team’s head coach, also addresses the room, thanking his players for putting in countless hours, going above and beyond, making the team what it is. When he’s done thanking them for their passion, perseverance, and exceptional teamwork, a lot of us are left dabbing our eyes.
They open the dance floor in the adjacent ballroom and people rise from their tables and begin to mingle. Valentina walks away from the table without a word and Ben heads in the direction of the bar. I stare after him, concern eating away at me.
Foster stands and says, “I’ll go check on him.”
“Thank you.” As I squeeze his arm, his face softens the way it always does right before he’s about to kiss me and I wish more than anything that he could. Instead, he gives me a quick nod before walking away. I follow him with my eyes until he’s lost to the crowd. Turning back, I realise it’s just Kim and I left. “Where’s Alexei?”
“He wanted to talk to Arthur about something.” She strokes her stomach, her eyes trained on my face. “Are you okay?”
“Of course.”
