Page 107 of Unmasking Love
I want to find a way not to see her at all. She’ll ruin what I have with Aiden. I don’t know how, but she will find a way.
“I’ll wait to see what Caroline plans, then I’ll call her.”
“Sounds good,” Aiden says none the wiser to my internal hesitations as he prepares dinner. We have sweet potato and black bean burrito bowls planned but I’m not sure I can stomach it.
***
“I’ll obviously follow Johnny anywhere but it being 85 degrees in January just isn’t right.” Caroline says as she fans herself under a giant sunhat. “I hope he never gets traded to Florida or L.A.”
“Don’t forget Arizona,” Ivanna adds.
Caroline chartered a plane for us and flying private is definitely worth the hype. We all changed into summer clothes before deplaning and our bags were whisked to the hotel while we took a different car to the beach.
“I grew up here so this is normal for me but I do love the change of seasons in D.C.” I share and then look desperately at the girls behind my sunglasses, waiting for one of them to pounce on my admission. Somehow finding fault or issue with where I grew up. Anything that sets me apart from them is a threat to our blooming friendship.
“I agree, I love the change of seasons. Surprisingly, my favorite place was when Vlad played in Sweden before coming over here. There are so many forests and the trees would change colors in the fall and then in the spring they’d burst back to life.” Ivanna shares and I continue to watch as the conversation continues.
I blink a few times. No one was concerned about where I grew up? I figured they’d pounce on the new information. Ask questions about living here which would lead to asking me about high school. I don’t want to lie but I don’t know how to tell these girls that I’ve never had a group of girlfriends and I don’t know how to trust them.
Instead they’re talking about leaf peeping and are planning a trip for us together next fall. I’m hardly listening. Is friendship really this easy?
Two champagne buckets get delivered to our cabana and the server pops them open for us. Caroline pours all around and even gives a half glass to Ivanna who has been oiling her pregnant belly since we arrived.
“A toast,” Caroline says. “To girlfriends and beaches and hockey!”
With a giggle we clink our glasses and I take a sip. The bubbles float down my throat and bounce around in my stomach. It turns into a churn when Caroline asks me a question and the spotlight is on me.
“When will the house renovations be done Harper?”
“Oh, um I’m not sure. Probably by April.” I tell her and then try another sip of champagne. I know I’m being silly. I know worrying about everything that comes out of my mouth is a waste of energy. I inhale as deeply as I can without making a scene and focus on the conversation, not the intrusive thoughts rattling around in my head.
“Ah good, so you’ll be moved in before the playoffs.” Ivanna says. Am I a bad girlfriend? I hadn’t thought of that before. How Aiden will want his space back so he can focus on hockey and that I should plan to be living back at home or somewhere else.
“Yep,” I offer and then sit back while Ivanna turns the conversation to Caroline’s wedding.
“We picked July because that gives us enough time to finish a Stanley cup final and not have to walk down the aisle a day later.” She shares.
“And will you still teach in the fall?” Danielle asks.
“I plan to, but hopefully for only one more school year. Once I’m pregnant I’m going to quit. The hockey schedule is so much to manage just for us as a couple. I know once kids are in the picture I want to focus completely on our family.”
“So you’re not going to keep working?” I ask.
“No, do you plan to?” Caroline asks me.
“I’ve never thought about it.” I admit and Caroline raises her eyebrows.
“Oh, knock it off.” Ivanna scolds. “Harper and Aiden have been dating for a few months. Plus who knows if he’s going to be on the team next year."
“He only has a one year deal?” Caroline asks.
“And there’s a waiver clause.” Ivanna tells her and Caroline’s eyes widen.
“What does that mean?” I ask. I didn’t know he was only signed for a year. We haven’t talked about his hockey contract. But maybe we should.
“It means that the team can trade him before the deadline if they need to make changes to the roster before the playoffs.”
“When’s the deadline?” I ask as a sinking feeling starts in my stomach.
