30. Chapter 30
Mariana
Dominic and Mariana's text chain
Mariana: I've never liked airports, and I've seen too many in recent days :(
Dom: My least favorite part of being a pro athlete. Having to travel so much.
Mariana: THAT's the least favorite thing?
Dom: I'd say so, yeah.
Mariana: Not the fans harassing you when the team loses?
Dom: No. I take their disappointment to heart. I have to own it.
Mariana: That's intense.
Dom: RESILIENCE
Mariana: Right, right. I'm dining with my father tomorrow. Send me some of that?
Dom: You can have half of mine.
Sinclair Montt Family Chat
Dad: I'm sending a car to pick you up from your hotel. 5:30pm.
Cora: We'll be there.
Dad: Mom will join us. She just arrived in Houston.
Mariana: Love that for us!
Cora and Mariana's text chain
Cora: LOL could you be a little more discreet
Mariana: Maybe I meant it, didn't you think of that?
Cora: Sure, sure. I'll be in your room in twenty.
Dominic and Mariana's text chain
Mariana: Maybe I'll get a tattoo after all. A moth sounds about right.
Dom: I'll go with you.
Mariana: I may be joking. My parents would disown me.
Dom: They didn't disown you when you divorced out of the British nobility, but they'll disown you for ink?
Mariana: They almost did over the divorce. The tattoo could tip the scales. La gota que rebalsó el vaso, you know? But since they don't have to see it…
Dom: Sigh. Well. As long as you place it in a fun spot.
Mariana: You can help me pick.
Dom: I know when to take a win. Was dinner rough?
Mariana: Not any harder than previous dinners. Just awkward with some tension but overall fine. They mean well. I could see them trying to be understanding.
Dom: You know you get to be angry at them, right?
Mariana: Of course, but I'm not. Listen to this: they admitted that divorcing Henry was unfortunate, but probably not as bad an idea as it seemed at first [mind-blown emoji]
Dom: No comment.
Mariana: I always knew you were my smartest boyfriend.
Dom: No. Comment.
Sinclair Montt Family Chat
Mom: It was lovely seeing you both. You seem so confident, Cora. You are in your element. And Mariana, you're glowing.
Cora: Seattle is treating us right.
Dad: We'll see you in a few weeks for your brothers' game, then family Christmas, then the gala before NYE.
Maisie: I forgot to tell you, Mariana, Cora — I'm coming to the gala with Amira.
Mariana: The most we've spent time together in years!
Cam: Reason #3 why we need a family place of our own.
Vic: Start looking, then.
Luke: Did you all get that? Vic sent a message! Quick, tell him everything you need him to know right now, before he turns the phone off.
Vic: I keep up with the chat, calm down
Mom: How would we know, if you never acknowledge anything?
Vic: I apologize, Mother. Rest assured I read everything.
Cam: Wrangle your twin, Luke.
Luke: I've tried :(
Mom: I'll get you to sign with the Vortex. You'll see.
Vic: Good night, everyone.
Cam: Mom, we talked about this.
Cora: Mom, no.
Mariana: Sigh.
Dominic and Mariana's text chain
Mariana: How was the flight? Ready for the game tomorrow?
Dom: The flight was okay. Nothing of note. I'm resting in my hotel room now. The game should go well tomorrow.
Mariana: Nice. Do you have to share a room?
Dom: Please. No. It's been years since I've had to share a room.
Mariana: I see. Well, for no reason at all… what's your room number?
Dom: Wait. What's going on?
Mariana: Don't make me have to start calling people. I don't have a good excuse to ask for your room number.
Dom: 1012. Now tell me what's going on.
Dom: Mariana?