Page 81 of O Goalie Night
“Beth…”
“I’m just tired.” Tired of worrying about my brother who seems to be on a path of self-destruction. Tired ofkeeping things from him and my family because I’m worried about how they’ll react. But mostly I’m tired of hiding my feelings for Foster when other people are around.
Kim’s eyes are sympathetic as she twists the rings around on her finger. She moves them, slowly and thoughtfully. As she plays with them, the diamonds catch the light from the lit candles, making the little reflections dance across the white tablecloth.
“You know,” she gives me a tiny smile when she looks up at me, “Alexei’s parents were not at all happy when we started dating.”
I’m not sure how she reads my mind so well, but right now I’m grateful for her psychic abilities.
“Really?” It’s hard to imagine that anyone could look at the two of them and not see they’re perfect together.
“Hard to believe, right? I mean, imagine not liking me,” she laughs. “They thought I was a distraction, that I would hold him back. And according to his mother, the way I smiled all the time was ‘unnerving.’ They actually stopped talking to him at one point.”
“What made them come around?”
She ponders my question. “Time, mostly. And seeing how happy I made their son. They warmed to me eventually, especially when I gave them the world’s most gorgeous grandbabies. What I’m trying to say is that a good family will stand by you, no matter what path you choose. It’s not about whether they understand every decision you make; it’s about wanting you to be happy. They’ll celebrate your wins and pick you up when things fall apart. Even if what makes you happy is completelydifferent from what they imagined, they’ll get behind you. So, hang in there, kid. It’s going to be okay.”
Just then Alexei appears at her side with her coat.
“You’re leaving already?”
“My parents are home with the kids, so we’ve got a wild date night planned,” she says, grinning. “We’re going to eat junk food and watchOnly Murders In The Buildingin our hotel room.”
I hug her goodbye, barely able to get my arms around her. She vows to keep me up-to-date on the little one’s arrival and I promise to visit as soon as I’m back in the city.
“Merry Christmas, Beth.”
“Merry Christmas, Kim. And thanks for the talk.”
“Any time,” Kim says. “I mean it. I love talking.”
“She really does,” Alexei confirms, smirking down at her.
As I watch them walk away, hand in hand, I feel someone approach from my left.
“Beth Michaels,” a young man says as he draws close to me. “I’ve been trying to talk to you all night.
“Austin Crawford.” I’ve only met him once before, but he has the kind of cocky grin you’re not likely to forget. “Here I am.”
“Here you are, indeed. Looking absolutely radiant, I might add.”
Austin strikes me as a bit of a man-child. Used to getting whatever he wants as long as he asks nicely enough. I’m sure his boyish charm and the fact that he’s prettier than most girls don’t hurt his cause either.
“Why exactly were you trying to talk to me?”
“To ask you to dance, of course.” He motions to the almost empty dance floor.
“That is a very kind offer, but I was just going to find my brother.”
“I just saw him talking to Foster. Seemed like a serious conversation; the kind I like to avoid at all costs. I said I’d keep you company.” He extends his hand. “Shall we?”
I’m really not in the mood to dance, but I can't bring myself to refuse the offer. I nod and place my hand in his. As he leads me to the dance floor my thoughts drift back to Ben, wondering if he’s alright. I try to catch a glimpse of them at the bar, but there are too many people blocking my view.
Foster will take care of him, I remind myself.
Austin works the room like he owns it and everyone inside it. By the time we make it to the dance floor, the tempo’s changed and a slower song has started.
I place my hands on his shoulders as he rests his on my hips and we start to move in time to the music. Well, Austin moves in time. I’m just trying not to step on his feet.
