Page 145 of Facing Off
I high-five Sid and we blast Adrian with water.
Then I join Adrian’s sisters. They’re offering me way too much food and promising to show me all of their brother’s awkward teenage pictures. I vow to save them on my phone for blackmail.
More stories are shared, some even from me.
I get multiple invitations to come over whenever I want for dinner, even if Adrian isn’t with me.
My stomach does a slow roll hearing them, because maybe I think I could say yes. Maybe I think I would like that very much.
57
SONYA
Since the Wingsare flying to Edmonton early in the morning, players say their goodbyes and head home.
Lokhov pats my shoulder before going and says I’ll be getting about a million messages from Kavi because while she couldn’t be here tonight because of a photography booking, he’s already told her that I was with Adrian at his family’s dinner. That she’s going to want all the details from me.
Quinn gives me another hug that lifts me off the ground.
Adrian and I get ready to leave, too, but then Sid asks us to stay for a little bit longer. I can tell from the expression on Adrian’s face, that even if he might suffer from exhaustion tomorrow, he doesn’t want to say no to them.
“We can stay,” I say, catching Adrian’s eye. “If you want to?”
He tackles me with a hug of his own and promises his family one more hour, but after that we have to drive back home, no matter what.
More dessert is served, and everyone goes to the living room and grabs a seat.
Fifteen minutes later, no one is shocked when Adrian and Sid prance around the corner with multiple headbands on and glitter spread across their cheeks.
Sid’s mom, Ava, leans over to me and whispers, “Sid’s dad has been out of our lives for a while, and that’s been rough on Sid. So ever since they mentioned their dream of performing on Broadway, Adrian’s been Sid’s biggest supporter.”
A warm pulse of affection radiates through my chest. It doesn’t surprise me one bit how much care and love Adrian has to give. He’s incredible.
The hockey captain takes his phone out and puts melodramatic music on.
For the next ten minutes, we’re treated to him and Sid pretending to be trees before they are uprooted and spun around in the wind. Then it’s a competition to see who can improvise the most believable, funniest, and random movie dialogue.
“You just got served justice!”
“Hasta la vista, you punk!”
“We can do this the easy way or the hard way! Dead or alive, you’re going nowhere!”
The whole time Adrian keeps glancing at Sid, checking that whatever they’re doing makes them happy. It’s so pure, the way he keeps encouraging them.
“The next part,” Sid announces, “anyone can join.” They sneak me a sheepish glance. “For example, if we wanted to try some ballet moves…”
Adrian ruffles Sid’s hair. “Remember Sonya has to rest up for a big audition. So she can’t.”
Watching a nine-year-old hang their head withdisappointment does something to me. I don’t want that. Not one bit.
I get up.
Sid claps, giggling.
Going in front of all these people reminds me of getting on a stage. Maybe that’s why I snap into automatic professional mode. “Okay, it’s about stances. Going on your toes is a matter of foot and ankle strength. On top of that, the pointe shoes we wear help a lot. So if you’re not wearing them?—”
“Don’t know if they have a pair in my size,” muses Adrian.
