Page 51 of Sweet Oblivion

Ithought I knew what to expect—or at least to expect some form of chaos.

But there was no way to prepare for this level of madness.

The stadium looms in front of us, lit up against thedarkening sky. Fans flood toward the gates in a sea of black and gold Kings jerseys, chanting and laughing as our driver stops in front of the building. It gives me hope we’ll be able to blend in and slip by unnoticed until we get to our seats.

The second we step foot outside the SUV, though, I realize how naive that thinking was.

The noise hits me first. A wall of sound that rattles my chest and spikes my pulse. My name is being called from every possible direction.

Holy shit, they know my name.

“This is insane,” I whisper as Ashton takes my hand, and the girls and I all close ranks, huddling together as someone from the Kings organization ushers us through the crowd. “Is it always like this?” I’m not sure why I bother asking. I know the answer.

It wasn’t like this last week.

It wasn’t like this for Lexie and Ashton.

And it wasn’t like this when we came to see that first game of the season a few weeks ago either. This madness is because of everything that’s happening. This is what Olivia is talking about. This is what we’ve somehow managed to avoid this week.

Lexie leans into me. “Let’s drop preggo and Kaleigh off with my family and then you and I can make our way down to the Kingston suite to say a quick hi.”

I look at my sister waddling down the concourse and know Lexie’s right but wish I could just hide in the Sinclairs’ suite instead. It’s crazy to me how interconnected these families are. I mean, this whole town is like a giant murder board with the way they know each other, or work together, or have family members married to each other. I’m still not sure I’ve got it all right, and I’m really not sure I’m ready to test my knowledge with the Kingstons. Even if I know I should.

As if reading my mind, Lexie links her arm through mine. “We’ll make it quick. And I’m pretty sure Caitlin will be there. She asked if you were coming.”

“Caitlin from the dress shop?” I ask, remembering Ryker’s cousin. “Wait. Her husband plays for the team too, right?”

“He’s one of the captains. He’s my uncle too,” Lexie smiles, and my head explodes.

“Wait. Let me make sure I’m following this.” I stop as Kaleigh and Ashton walk into the Sinclairs’ suite. A thrum of excitement follows out into the hall. Not nearly as chaotic as downstairs. “You’re married to Caitlin’s brother.”

“Yup,” her eyes light up. “Her baby brother. Dillan is engaged to her other younger brother.”

“And her oldest brother is married to?—”

“A princess,” she finishes for me.

A princess. Right. No pressure.

“And Caitlin is married to your?—”

“Uncle,” Lexie giggles. “But he’s only a few years older than me. My family is a little... complicated.”

“Yeah,” I agree, feeling the anxiety creeping back in. “In a whole different way than mine.”

“Come on.” She drags me down the hall, past a few security guards because I guess that’s what you get in the owner’s suite. How the hell is this my life? “It won’t be that bad.”

Yeah. Sure it won’t.

She lied. It’s worse.

The Sinclair suite had a happy buzzing to it. It’s been fun and lowkey every time I’ve been in it. There’s room to breathe. They eat, sleep, and breathe football, but it’s manageable. But this... Wow. I’m not sure there’re words to describe this.

Not necessarily louder, but . . . fuller.

There’s wall-to-wall people everywhere.

Ryker’s people.