Page 35 of Ruin The Friendship
BUTTERY SALTY GOODNESS
LYDIA
TEN WEEKS PREGNANT
Islide the stiff brace onto my left wrist, thankful it’s been getting better every day. I got lucky that it wasn’t my dominant hand, or this week would have been a bit rougher than it already is.
I’ve been so exhausted all week. If I’m not at work or eating, I’m asleep.
Fletcher was out late last night, and I was already asleep by the time he got home, so I won’t get to see him until after the game today. I miss him. Like always, we talk every day. Nothing has changed there, but the adjustment back to the season after the summer’s off is always rough.
I’m meeting Grace and Zoey at the arena, and we have the suite again today, which will be nice. While there’s not much privacy, there is still a little more than if we were in the lower bowl. I’m planning to tell them my news. They’ll figure it out anyway when I don’t have a drink.
We play Colorado today, which is the team Zoey’s brother, Adam, plays for. It’s always a fun time watchingCalvin and Adam play against each other. They played together for their entire childhood and college years until Adam was drafted to the Colorado Lynx and Calvin to the Blue Herons.
Once I’m finished getting ready in my standard game outfit—Fletcher’s jersey, a stocking cap, and jeans—I head to the arena. All I can think about is how badly I need popcorn. Something about the buttery, salty goodness is calling to me today.
I love these afternoon games because once the game is over, there’s still plenty of the day left to hang out with friends and not be out until one a.m. Which will work in my favor tonight since I’m already looking forward to the moment I can climb back into my cozy bed.
The suite is still empty, but they’ve already set up all the food and beverages for us. I grab a box and fill it with popcorn from the warm machine, snacking on a few pieces as I do.
The door opens, and Grace and Calvin’s parents enter. Stan and Mabel Miller might be the sweetest people I’ve met—well, besides Fletcher’s parents. They’re the epitome of Minnesota Nice. I chew quickly, swallowing the lump of popcorn in my mouth.
“Hey, guys,” I say.
“Lydia, how are you?” Mabel opens her arms.
“I’m good.” I smile softly, returning her hug carefully so as not to smush my popcorn or bad wrist.
Her eyes widen. “What happened to your hand?”
I wave my hand. “Nothing bad. A kid ran into me at the community skate event on Sunday, and I landed on my wrist.”
“Is it broken?”
I shake my head. “I think it’s a sprain.”
“You think? Did you go to the doctor?”
I wish I could swallow my tongue.
“Yeah.”
“And they didn’t do X-rays?” Her voice rises in pitch. “What if it’s fractured, and you don’t know?”
Stan comes up behind Mabel, resting a hand on her shoulder.
“I’m sure they did, sweetie.” Stan offers me a smile. “Hi, kiddo.”
I frantically nod. “Yep. Sorry, I said that weirdly. No break! I should be fine in a week or two.”
“Oh, good.” Mabel sighs. “How have you been otherwise?”
“Good!” I reply quickly, thankful to change the subject.
The door opens again, and this time, Zoey and Grace stride through, looking adorable in their jerseys. Usually, Zoey wears one with Miller on the back to support Calvin, but tonight she’s wearing a Colorado Lynx one with Davison on it.
We all exchange hugs, and Mabel and Stan take their seats as Zoey, Grace, and I grab more snacks and sit at a table.
