Page 4 of Big Stick Energy
I make quick work of the other wineglasses while Eric snickers to himself. “You deked him.”
“He had it coming. Thanks for the assist.”
“My pleasure.” He gives me another dangerous smile.
Five minutes later, I’ve delivered the bottle to the Palmetto Room—along with one of the goblets, which I’ve washed and dried carefully in Chef González’s kitchen. I text the boss that his wine is waiting at his table.
Then? I head into the lobby, where there aren’t any bosses or hockey players. And I flop down for a moment’s rest. Honestly,it’s tempting to go upstairs to the comfortable room I share with Zoe, the Legends’ skating coach, and also my best friend.
But I can’t do it. The allure of my bed would be too great. So I check my email instead.
The first message I find makes me feel even more exhausted. It’s from my half sister, Tessa, and the subject line isT-MINUS TEN DAYS UNTIL THE JACK-AND-JILL WEDDING SHOWER! PUT ON YOUR DANCING SHOES!
At the sight of it, a little wave of despair rolls over me. The playoffs are exhausting, but once they’re over, I’ll be steeling myself for a family wedding. My half brother is getting married, and I have to show up and smile for the photos.
I dread it.
My brother and I aren’t close, and I’d hoped I wouldn’t be invited. Unfortunately, my invitation had arrived on thick, expensive paper—the kind with rose petals embedded into it. It was the most pretentious document I’d ever seen in my life. And the worst part was a brief personal note from my father, telling me that he expected to see me there.
But before we even get to the wedding, there’s this shower that I’ve also been ignoring. I’m pretty sure I deleted the first email about it, assuming that I’d be in the middle of the playoffs and unable to attend. And that might still be true.
It had better be, because I dread this party, too. My half sister is a predictable creature. She loves shouty caps, designer cocktails, and backhanded compliments, not necessarily in that order. So it’s not really a surprise that she’s been tasked with planning my half brother’s wedding.
I click the email.
Dear Family & Friends,
We are SO EXCITED to invite you to kick off the wedding activities for Theo & Maribel! The theme of the wedding is JUST FOR THE FUN OF IT, and we’re going to do everything we can to put on a fantastic Wedding Experience!
In the meantime, please join us for this pregame party:
What? A shower to honor love, laughter, and dancing!
How? Cocktails and a dance-off! Show your love for Maribel and Theo by showing off your best moves
Where? The Grand Ballroom at The Blue Button Bay Resort
When? 7:00 p.m., Saturday, June 8
What to Wear? Your most fabulous cocktail attire!
Get ready to sing your heart out, sip on handcrafted signature cocktails, and bask in the glow of two people totally in love.
RSVP to [email protected]. Can’t wait to see you there!
XOXO,
Tessa
It’s almost impossible to express how much I’m dreading the whole thing. So it gives me no end of joy to respond in the following way:
Hey Tessa!
I’m writing from Fort Lauderdale, where we’re trying to sew up round three of the playoffs. When we advance to the finals, the game schedule will almost certainly knock me out for the shower.
See you at the wedding, though!
—Darcy
