Page 115 of Game Point
I forced a smile between the two, feeling a little like I was being torn in half. ‘Well, no matter how last minute, I’m glad you could make it.’
Mum muttered something under her breath, her eyes narrowed. Dad coughed, covering up what she had said. Whatever it was, I was starting to think it would be the tip of the iceberg.
I looked between them, trying to figure out how I was supposed to juggle this awkward group, before realizing there was somebody missing. ‘Where’s Oliver?’
I had seen him sitting with them throughout the match, that serious coach expression on his face, like a teacher assessing their student. He normally caught me in thecool-down room, but since my parents were attending, I thought he would’ve stuck with them, making sure they didn’t get lost in the vast arena.
Mum turned to look at Dad. ‘I’m not sure.’
‘He leftbeforethe match ended,’ Avery noted, as we turned to make our way down the corridor, my muscles beginning to burn after the exercise. ‘Isn’t that super unprofessional? Shouldn’t he be more supportive and stick around?’
What was she getting at?
‘He might have been going to the bathroom,’ Mum added, waving Avery’s concerns away. I knew it wasn’t like him to disappear while I was playing. I knew I could count on him to always be watching.How hadn’t I even noticed he’d disappeared?
Mum’s arm wrapped over my shoulders as we walked, or as much as she could considering our height difference. ‘Don’t worry, I’m sure he won’t be too far behind us.’
We wouldn’t be going far, but with my parents in tow, it was going to be hard to cool down quickly and shower.
‘Is he joining us for dinner?’ Dad asked, looking at me as we dodged others in the corridor.
‘Yeah, I think so,’ I replied, not sure what else to say, reeling from his absence. I knew, no matter what, he wouldn’t have left without a good reason.
I looked at Avery, the uncomfortable feeling washing over me again. I knew if I invited her to dinner, Mum would be furious, but it felt awkward considering she knew we had plans already. Spotting a familiar blonde searching the crowd ahead, I waved my hand to catch her attention. ‘Scottie!’
Her blue eyes lit up as she pushed through the busycrowd. Scottie burst forward, pulling me into my fourth hug of the day as she shouted, ‘Congrats! You did well out there.’
She released me, my eyes finding her fiancé, Nico.
‘You played great,’ he said. I nodded, thanking them both, before introducing my parents. Mum shot me a confused look after she shook Scottie’s hand, clearly remembering my rival.
‘Scottie, when are you playing?’ I asked, apprehension pinching at my words.
‘Not for a few hours.’
Relief crashed like a wave as I looked between her and Nico. ‘Would you be able to take my parents through to the bar? I need to cool down and get showered.’
Only for a second did it feel weird asking Scottie Sinclair for a favour. And then the feeling floated away as I remembered our conversation in the hallway.
My dad sighed, frustrated. ‘We can look after ourselves.’
I turned, shooting him a flat look. ‘Dad, you got lost in Bunnings last weekend.’
He looked at my mum, clearly annoyed she had told me that story. ‘I didn’t get lost. Your mum just couldn’t find me.’
‘I should’ve known he was getting a snag,’ Mum muttered. I smothered my own laugh. Never trust Dad not to get distracted by food.
‘Oliver was supposed to be here, but I think he’s probably gotten mixed up with the crowds.’
Whether it was instinct or longing, my gaze briefly searched the crowd, half expecting him to pop out.
‘Yeah, no problem,’ she smiled with no sign of hesitation.Her attention slid to my mum as her grin turned to foreboding. ‘I’m sure I’ll have the best time hearing about all the embarrassing things that baby Dylan used to do.’
‘Oh, do we have stories!’ Dad laughed as my stomach dropped out from under me. ‘She used to run around chasing the neighbour’s cat in the summer. Practically terrorized the damn thing.’
With my cheeks burning, I managed to look up at Nico, asking, ‘I’m definitely going to regret this, aren’t I?’
He laughed. ‘Probably.’
