Page 89 of Rival Season
“Sounds great, I’m starving,” Chadwick says.
Penn sidles up next to me and rests a hand on my back, the warmth of the contact is comforting.
My mother finally turns toward us again. “Well, Tim, it was great meeting you,” she says in an obvious effort to make sure he doesn’t come with us.
“His name isPenn,” I correct her, then glance up at him. “Would you want to come out with us?”
“Oh, Hazel,” my father chuckles. “I’m sure he’s not in a celebratory mood tonight.”
Cory huffs a laugh like he’s attempting to ease the tension of the situation. He looks at Penn with a smile. “You’re welcome to join, the more the merrier.”
Penn appears confused, unsure what to say as he looks from my parents, to Cory, to me. “You go enjoy some time with your family, and I’ll see you tomorrow, okay?” He offers me a hesitant smile.
“See, sweetheart, he understands,” my mom says to me, then turns to Penn with a fake smile. “We’d really just like to catch up with our daughter tonight.”
Penn nods but I can feel how tense his hand is that’s still resting on my back. I want to scream with how unfair this whole situation is—to him, and to me.
I want Penn to come with us, I want him with me…but I don’t want him to be uncomfortable, either. I’m torn between insisting he come with us and leaving the decision up to him.
“Penn, you’re not coming out with us?” Chadwick joins our conversation with an overly friendly laugh, like him and Penn are best buddies.
Penn looks at my ex, his expression steady and cool. “Not tonight, Chadwick. Hazel hardly ever gets to see her family, and I could use an early night. Congrats on the win, by the way.”
“You at least have to join us for brunch tomorrow then. I mean, I’m sure Haze’s parents want to get to know her new boyfriend before they have to leave town.” I want to wipe the smug smirk off of Chadwick’s stupid face as he turns to my mom. “Right, Bethany?”
What’s he playing at now?
“Um, yes. Uh. Of course,” Mom says, blinking rapidly.
Chadwick looks strangely triumphant. “Well then it’s settled.”
Penn smoothes his hand up and down my back and lowers his voice so only I can hear him. “How does that sound to you? Tonight you hang out with your family and I’ll join you for brunch tomorrow?”
I nod. That seems like a decent compromise, even though I wish he’d come to both. Or, better yet, I wish the Weatherbys would just disappear altogether. “Yeah, okay.”
“Nice jersey, by the way,” Penn says before bending down and pressing a quick kiss to my lips. Too quick.
“I made reservations at The Orange Poppy at eleven,” Chadwick tells him, still smirking.
“Okay, I’ll see you guys tomorrow.” With one last smile, he leaves and joins Fisher and Noah where they’re waiting for him a few yards away.
I watch the guys walk toward the exit, and with every step my anxiety creeps back in.
I finally make it back to my hotel suite at one in the morning after the most obnoxious meal ever. All anyone talked about was Chadwick and how amazing he played, despite his minimal time on the ice. My parents were so rude to Penn, claiming they wanted to catch up with me, and yet they talked about Chadwick all night.
Typical.
Thank goodness Cory was there. We played tic-tac-toe on napkins to entertain ourselves like we were kids again. He never liked Chadwick.
After a quick shower, I throw on the cute silky pajama set I packed and stomp to my bed in a sour mood. I thought I’d be snuggled up here with Penn tonight, not enduring an evening of praise for my cheating ex. How can my parents forgive him so easily?
At this hour I should feel exhausted and ready to sleep, but instead I’m so annoyed that I can’t relax.
A light knock echoes from my door and my heart leaps to life. While I was out at dinner, I texted Penn my hotel info so he could meet me here in the morning before brunch. He must’ve thought to surprise me with a late-night visit, though. I’m grinning as I pad to the bathroom mirror and make sure I’m not a mess. My curls are smoothed into a low bun, my face is scrubbed clean, and my skin is glowing from my shower and skin care. Deciding I look decent, I rush to the door and swing it open.
My face falls when I realize it’s not Penn on the other side…but Chadwick.
He steps inside the room without me inviting him in, taking advantage of my shock. I allow the heavy door to fall closed and follow him, crossing my arms. “What are you doing here?”
