Page 87 of Hitting the Goal Line
“Excuse me, ladies,” I say to the three woman and walk out of the suite.
I never needed privacy to talk to my best friend. I don’t know why I’m seeking it out now.
I watch the phone ring for a few more seconds before I slide the icon over to answer.
“Hey,” I say, blocking out all the noise and focusing on Sophia and what she is about to say.
“Hi. Feliz Navidad, Blake.” Sophia’s voice sounds out and I can’t help but to smile.
“Merry Christmas, Soph,” I say, hoping that she can hear me smile through the other side.
“Sorry, I didn’t call you yesterday. I lost track of time trying to help Elijah’s mom with everything for this morning.”
“It’s okay,” I say to her, before something clicks in my brain. “Wait, you didn’t celebrate last night? I figured you and your mom would be pulling all the stops to show Elijah’s parents a real Noche Buena.”
“Oh, yeah. That was our plan,” she says, almost sounding nervous. “But we decided not to do that and just celebrate today. It was just easier that way.”
“You guys didn’t do anything last night?” I ask, getting curious.
“Not really. My parents stayed at our place and I had dinner with Elijah and his parents and just watched a movie afterwards.”
Never in my life have I heard of Sophia and her parents not celebrating Christmas on Christmas Eve. No matter the circumstances. So hearing that they didn’t celebrate last night, isn’t sitting right with me.
“That doesn’t sound all that fun,” I say to her, and it doesn’t.
I think back to all the Christmas Eves that we have spent together and I think we’ve only watched a movie once and that was because Sophia was sick and wasn’t up to doing all the fun things that we usually do.
“It wasn’t, but it was what was easier for everyone,” she says.
“What the fuck does that even mean?” I ask, the question slipping out from my mouth. I didn’t mean to say it out loud, but I guess just like yesterday, I can’t control what I say.
“Nothing, forget I even said anything. How was your night? And this morning? Did your mom liked that the coat that you got her?”
As much as I want to tell her that I don’t want to forget about her not celebrating Christmas the way that she has done all of her life, I answer her questions.
“Last night was good,” I start, letting out a sigh, trying to control my anger as best that I can. “Selena’s parents and sisters came up and we all celebrated at their house and opened gifts. And yeah, my mom loved the coat. She is wearing it now.”
“That’s good. And are you guys at the stadium already?” she asks and I can hear longing in her voice, like she wants to be here too, but for now her questions will do.
“Yeah, we got here a little bit ago,” I say, trying to match her energy but I know I’m not succeeding.
“Tell Hunter that I cheered him on from here. Elijah and his dad aren’t big football fans, so I won’t get a chance to watch it.”
She is changing everything about herself for this asshole and his family, isn’t she?
“Go back to the apartment and watch it with your dad,” I suggest, because just like she never misses watching one of my games, she never misses one of my brother’s either. At least she didn’t used to. Now that she’s with Elijah, things are changing.
“Oh, my parents are going back home in a little bit,” she throws out.
Why the fuck would they do that? That sure as hell doesn’t sound like them.
The question is on the tip of my tongue but I don’t speak it.
This conversation is drawing up so many red flags, it’s pissing me off more than what I already was.
“Right,” I say, trying to make sense of everything.
“I have to go. I just wanted to give you a quick call to say merry Christmas before the game started. Have fun, yeah? And cheer on Hunter for me?” she says, her voice shaking just a tiny bit.
