Page 105 of More Than Chemical
I frowned. “Eric, I know you’re well intentioned, but whateverwasgoing on between Dallas and me, and I’m not sure I’d call it dating, it’s…well…things are complicated, and it’s over.”
“Oh.” Eric flinched. “Sorry. I didn’t realize.”
The elevator popped open, and a tiny woman with long blonde hair dressed in a pantsuit came out, along with another woman with a court badge hanging around her neck. The tiny woman made eye contact with us and hesitated.
“Who’s that?” I whispered to my brother.
“I’m not sure,” he said. “But she looks familiar.”
The woman kept her distance from us.
“Do you think she’s testifying?” My voice was quiet.
“She must be,” Eric said.
The blonde kept eyeing us. She wrung her hands and glanced at the closed courtroom doors.
I couldn’t fathom what she was so nervous about. She wasn’t the one on trial.
The doors opened again and out strode Plunkett. He didn’t give us a sideways glance, not until Eric got up and intercepted him.
Abruptly, he stopped.
Eric shook his hand. “Nice to see you again, George.”
I got up from the bench and stood next to my brother.
“Hi, Eric, Adriana.” His voice sounded like he had a frog in his throat. “You two are looking well, considering the…circumstances.”
“Yep.” Eric stood straighter. “We’re here to support Dad.”
“Heard you signed with the AHL.”
Eric nodded.
“Always good to see our players continuing on with professional careers.”
Eric kept nodding.
“Well, if either of you need anything, you know where to find me.”
“Thanks,” Eric said.
Plunkett hurried away as fast as he could. Like if he lingered too long, he might catch something from us.
Mom appeared at the doors. “Are you two coming?”
We nodded and followed her in.
I took a seat between Mom and Eric.
Dad rolled back his chair and leaned over the guardrail. “Hey, kids.”
“Hi, Dad,” Eric and I said in unison.
“I just want to thank you two for coming. It means a lot.” He reached over and covered my hand with his. “I’m sorry for not being the kind of dad I should have been these past months. From now on, I’m going to do better.”
I gave him a weak smile. “Okay, Dad.”
