Chapter 24
EMMIE
“So, Emmie,” Wyatt said, leaning across the table to grab a slice of garlic bread to go with our dinner of spaghetti. “Josie said you’re a figure skater?”
I covered my mouth with my hand as I quickly swallowed my bite. “I am.”
“Figure skater?” Wrenley asked beside me, confused at the words. For some reason, when we all sat down to eat, Wrenley decided her seat was next to me. She proceeded to talk my ear off after that. I didn’t understand half of it, but I nodded along and gasped when it felt needed.
“Well, I wear ice skates, kind of like your dad, cute dresses, and skate across the ice to music.” I explained it the best I could to a four-year-old.
The way Wrenley stared up at me, blue eyes wide and in awe, made me feel like something I just said clicked within her.
Kind of like the first time I saw a girl skating on the rink and knew I wanted to do exactly that.
“Are you a professional?” Landon asked down the table, sounding curious.
“I’m a decent skater. I—” I started to say when a hand covered my mouth.
“Don’t let her fool you. She’s incredible,” Mateo said, unfazed at the glare I sent his way. “She’s a two-time Olympian and has won four medals.” I nipped at his hand in retaliation.
“What?!” Across from me, Tasha stared with awe. “You have Olympic medals?”
Mateo dropped his hand from my mouth so I could answer. I jammed my elbow into his arm as I turned to Tasha.
“I do.”
“Gold medals?” Mila asked, an edge of excitement in her voice.
“Well, I have two silver and two bronze.” I glanced down at my fork, twirling it in the noodles. “I’m hoping to compete again and win gold—hopefully.”
“Wow, you’re way more impressive than anyone else at this table,” Josie stated. An onslaught of responses came from the guys. Each one more offended than the last.
“Excuse me!”
“That was uncalled for!”
“We’ve won four Cup Championships. Do you know how hard that is?” Wyatt told his wife.
“It’s impressive, babe, but an Olympic medal tops that every day of the week.” Josie patted his arm.
“Yeah, do you know how hard it is to make it to the Olympics?” Tasha asked. “It’s every FOUR years, so you have to be at the top of your game for years and then beat out every athlete in the world in your sport. It’s insane.”
“Since when have you been so invested in the Olympics?” Trevor asked.
“Since it's coming up, and I’ve been seeing a lot of stuff on social media about it,” Tasha huffed, crossing her arms.
“You guys haven’t been picked for the Olympic hockey team yet. Maybe this will be your year,” Mateo supplied.
Trevor snapped his fingers at Mateo. “See, now you’re talking.”
I always hated when the topic of me being an Olympian came up, but sitting here with Mateo’s family, the familiar wave of discomfort never followed.
“Do you have a lot of competitions coming up?” Steven asked, Jayden perched on his lap. Steven Barnum reminded me a lot of my dad. Both silent and a bit stoic with a no nonsense attitude, but when it came to the kids, that hard exterior evaporated.
“There are a few coming up. Next week is regionals, which can be a big deal since it’s the first competition of the season,” I explained.
“Is there a way to watch it?” Evelyn questioned from her seat beside Steven. I paused, unsure if I heard her right.
“You… You want to watch it?”
“Of course we do.” I scanned her and Steven’s faces, trying to find any sort of false sincerity, but I found none. Emotion clogged my throat that these strangers, because that’s what they were, would want to watch my skating competition.
I swallowed the lump in my throat as a hand rested on my thigh, squeezing reassuringly.
“It should be on one of the sports channels at noon next Friday.” I managed to say.
“We will definitely be watching,” Josie added as well.
I clenched my fork in my hand, unnamed emotion building in my chest and the back of my eyes. It was stupid to be emotional at people wanting to watch me skate, but after years of feeling like no one cared, it was nice to see some did.
Mateo’s hand rubbed up and down my thigh.
The action helped ground me as I worked on shifting through my feelings so I wouldn’t cry at the table.
From the way Mateo talked about his family, I knew they were good people.
I just didn’t expect them to direct that kindness toward me.
It’s no wonder Mateo turned out the way he did.
“I want to skate,” Wrenley said. I could have hugged her for distracting me from what was building up inside me.
“I don’t know how long you guys are here for, but…we could always go to the rink tomorrow,” I suggested. “If your mom and dad are okay with that, of course.”
“Mommy, can we?” Wrenley asked. Well, more like pleaded.
"We don’t leave until Sunday morning, so we do have time.” Josie glanced at Wyatt who shrugged. “Is everyone game to go to an ice rink tomorrow with the kids?” she asked the table.
A chorus of approvals echoed as everyone agreed.
Josie grinned at her daughter. “Does that sound good to you, Wrennie?”
“Yes!” She nodded her head so vigorously, her cute pigtails hit her face. Everyone at the table chuckled at her enthusiasm.
We all lapsed into comfortable conversation after that.
Funny stories about the kids were told, fun tidbits about Mateo growing up, talks about the upcoming hockey season as well as football were passed around.
Despite having just met everyone, I never felt more welcome.
I never experienced big family dinners growing up with my dad, but I think I finally understood the appeal.
The next hour flew by, and before I knew it, plates were emptied, conversation turning somber and relaxed as the setting sun cast a warm glow in the apartment. The kids had long left the table to finish their movie, so it was just us adults.
“Anyone else want a refill?” Lydia asked, coming back from the kitchen, wine bottle in hand. She filled a few glasses before stopping at Tasha. “More?”
“Oh, no, I’m all good.” Tasha shook her head. If she hadn’t been seated right across from me all night, I wouldn’t have noticed the quick look she gave Trevor.
“You’ve only had one glass.” Lydia raised an eyebrow.
I wasn’t going to be the one to say anything about how Tasha’s wine glass was full and then somehow lower and lower when she hadn’t touched it the entire dinner.
“Not really in a wine mood,” Tasha said, but even to me, it came off a little forced and awkward.
“Yeah, you’ve been acting off the entire time we’ve been here,” Mila butted in, leaning forward.
Tasha shifted in her seat at the attention. Beside her, Trevor dipped his head to whisper something in her ear. I glanced around at the others to see what was going on, pausing at the look on Mateo’s face. The way he was staring and smiling at the couple was like he knew something.
I shifted closer and nudged his side. “What’s going on?”
“You’re about to find out,” he whispered back, nodding his head at Tasha and Trevor.
“Guys?” Josie looked at her best friend with concern. “What’s going on?”
“Um, well…” Tasha and Trevor shared one last look. Taking a deep breath, she turned in her seat so she could face all of us, her and Trevor’s hands clasped tightly on the table. “We have some news to share.”
I felt like I was intruding on something big, but I was glued to my seat.
“I’m pregnant.”
Her declaration was met with silence. My gaze swept around the table, taking in all the shocked faces as no one said a word.
It was like, all at once, Tasha’s words registered. It was a flurry of movement as everyone shot up from their seats and crowded around the couple. Tasha barely had time to stand up before she was smothered by Josie, who had tears in her eyes.
One by one, I watched everyone congratulate the pair, excitement and happiness seeping in the air at the good news. I stayed in my seat, not wanting to ruin the moment, but I smiled at the scene in front of me.
“You’re going to be a fantastic mom,” Josie cried, mirroring the tears rolling down Tasha’s cheeks. The two stayed in a hug for a moment before Evelyn stepped forward.
Evelyn cupped Tasha’s cheeks, the brightest smile on her face. The two stood there, not saying a word, history I wasn’t aware of flowing between them. I quickly ducked my head. That was not a moment I needed to be a part of.
When it was Mateo’s turn, he embraced her in a tight hug, almost lifting her off the ground. “Man, does it feel good knowing the news before everyone else.”
“Hold on.” Tasha pulled back, peering up at his face. “You knew?”
“Of course I did.”
“How the hell did you know before the rest of us?” Landon asked. “You don’t even live near us anymore.”
What I could only describe as a shit-eating grin took over Mateo’s face. “Trevor told me.”
It was then I understood why they all said Mateo was a little shit. He knew exactly what he was doing by dropping that bomb.
“In my defense,” Trevor held his hands up and took a step back, “I only told him because he lives far away and has been too busy with football to talk to anyone.”
“You told Mateo over your best friends?” Bryton sounded hurt.
“I knew if I told you guys, you’d tell your wives, who can’t keep secrets to save their lives.”
“Hey!” Josie, Lydia, and Mila exclaimed.
“And Tasha and I weren’t ready to share it yet,” he finished before he could be interrupted again.
“Guys, don’t be mad that I’m actually Trevor’s best friend and that he told me before anyone else,” Mateo goaded.
I leaned back in my chair, knowing exactly where this was going. From the glares the guys were sending his way, some sort of scuffle was about to happen, especially if Mateo didn’t shut his mouth.
“It's not my fault I’m the most trustful person here.”
Yep…there it was. As a group, Wyatt, Landon, Bryton, and Trevor lunged for Mateo. He darted around the guys and headed away from the dining room, them right on his heels.