Chapter 32 #2
“So do I.” He winks. “Check the glovebox.”
I pop it open. “Mini Stroopwafels! Did you go to the Dutch Toko again?”
“I did. But there’s more in there. I meant to bring it up with me and give it to you while I was in your apartment, but I forgot.”
“In too much of a rush to get to me?” I tease.
“Exactly.”
My heart stutters as I pull out a small, wrapped box. “What’s this?”
“You’ll have to open it to find out.”
I carefully peel away the wrapping paper. Inside is a blue box. My stomach tightens as I lift the lid. “Phillip, this is beautiful.” Nestled in the cushioned velvet is a pair of jewel-encrusted ballet slippers on a white gold chain.
“I saw it and thought of you,” he replies, his smile soft.
“I love it so much.” And you, I want to say, but it feels too soon, and too scary a thing to admit. “I’ll wear it all the time.” And when I miss him, I’ll have a little piece of him with me.
“I’ll help you put it on once we’re parked.”
He pulls into the arena lot and finds a spot. I unclasp the necklace and move my hair aside so he can fasten it. He presses his lips to my nape before sitting back. “Let’s see.”
I finger the delicate charms. “It’s gorgeous.”
“You’re gorgeous.” He kisses me softly. “Wait here and I’ll come around and get you.” I stay where I am while he rounds the hood. How did this become my life? I have the most amazing, thoughtful boyfriend.
Flip links his arm with mine, guiding me inside. The arena is decorated like a high school prom, complete with balloon arch for photos. The younger players wear pretty dresses and suits.
I spot Brody and Rix right away, along with Tristan and Quinn.
He’s brought a date tonight; the same woman who came to Connor and Dred’s wedding.
I didn’t have much of a chance to talk to her, but she seems nice.
She’s tall with pale blonde hair and a girl-next-door vibe.
I’m grateful to have friends here, so it won’t be totally awkward.
Flip takes me over to where Brody and Quinn are talking to the coaches.
“Hey, Tally.” Brody gives me a quick side hug.
“Vander Zee?” A man in his mid-thirties turns to me.
“That’s right.” I lift my hand in a wave.
“Is this your date?” the man asks Brody.
I swallow my hysterical giggle. I’m pretty sure Brody and I both want to disappear.
Brody tucks his hand into his pocket. “Uh, no, we’re just friends.”
Flip puts his arm around me. “Tally is my date.”
“Sh—oot. Right. I saw that and thought maybe it was fake news.”
Rix appears at my side. “Tally!” She hugs me. “Let’s get you a drink.”
She guides me away, toward the bar, dropping her voice to a whisper. “What the hell just happened there?”
“One of the coaches asked if I was Brody’s date.”
“Oh, God.” She squeezes my arm. “Are you okay?”
I bite my lips together.
“Do we need to find a quiet space so you can have some feelings about people being obtuse?”
I blow out a breath. “I get why he made that mistake.”
“Doesn’t make it less awkward. Let Flip deal with it.” She rubs my back. “I know it’s not easy right now. You’re staying off social media?”
“I’m staying off social media,” I echo.
“Good.” We reach the bar.
“But I have two younger siblings,” I add.
She wrinkles her nose. “And they are not.”
“Nope.”
Rix orders two margaritas. I was going to stick with soda because I have dance practice tomorrow, and I don’t want to end up dehydrated, but if this is how the night is going to go, tequila might be necessary.
“How are your parents handling things?”
“Mom is stressing but trying to be supportive. My dad is…letting me live my life, I guess?”
She nods. “How are people on campus?”
“Have you talked to Essie?” I prop my arm on the bar top.
Rix blinks at me, and I blink back.
“So that’s a yes,” I confirm.
“I know what it was like when my brother was in the thick of things and people would say stuff to me that was super cringe. And then when I started dating Tristan…” She sighs. “It will calm down, I promise.”
“Please don’t say anything to Phillip.”
“Talls, he knows what’s going on. You don’t have to pretend it’s not hard. Please tell me your Tilton friends have your back like you had Cammie’s back in first year.”
“They’re awesome. And Fee kind of gets it because of Roman and Lexi, and Cammie understands because of Chase, and Brody is Brody. So yeah. I have their support. I don’t want Flip to think this is too much for me.”
Her expression turns empathetic, and she squeezes my arm. “It’s okay if there are moments when it is. Just go to him when it’s like that. He needs that from you. He can’t protect you from all the idiots, but he can be there when you’re struggling, so please let him.”
Flip approaches, expression remorseful. “I’m so sorry about that. Are you okay?”
“Yeah. It’s going to happen, right?” I force a smile. “He’s not the first person to think Brody and I were a thing.”
Flip frowns. “Have you been a thing?”
“Okay, I’m going to find my husband.” Rix passes me my margarita. “Don’t say stupid things, Flip.”
I sip my drink. “Brody has a thing for a girl he went to high school with that he doesn’t have the balls to ask out, and I’ve had a thing for you for probably the same amount of time,” I inform Flip.
“So that’s a no?” He looks relieved.
I narrow my eyes. “Were you jealous for a second?”
“No.” He pokes at his lip. “Okay, yeah.”
I grin.
“If you weren’t already aware, I’m unapologetically obsessed with you.” He kisses my cheek. “Let’s go get our picture taken under the arch.”
I’m not the only person who wants a photo with Flip under the balloon arch. Rix and I spend a good half hour arranging our men while the young players pose next to them. Brody has a few fans and is adorably red-faced through most of the photos.
Cocktail hour is blissfully hiccup and awkwardness free. The media covering the event aren’t jerks, and no one else mistakes me for Brody’s date. And dinner is fun and easy since I’m surrounded by people I know. All the things I worried about seem silly when I’m insulated by my friends.
After dinner, Flip, Tristan, Quinn, and Brody move to the stage to present awards. Rix leaves because she has to be at the kitchen early to interview assistants, so that leaves me at the table on my own since Lovey, Quinn’s date, is helping with the awards backstage.
Two women in their early twenties set up the dessert table behind me.
“What I wouldn’t give to be her,” one whispers.
“I know, right?” The other whistles softly. “That man has skills.”
They both giggle.
I bite the inside of my cheek, frustrated that my relationship is once again reduced to entertainment. People are focused on a narrative that has no basis in the present.
No one but Flip and I know the truth, I remind myself.
It should be a comfort, but all it does is make me feel alone.