I slide my arms around her and hug her. “It’s gonna be okay. Today will be fun.”
She sighs. “I hope so.”
Chapter 35
Blake
“Blake, it’s so good to see you.” Briar’s mom walks over to me with a big smile.
I hug her. “You too, Mrs. Bennett. It’s been a while.”
“Oh, please. Call me Rachel. Mrs. Bennett makes me feel like my mom.” She chuckles.
Briar’s parents just arrived at the house. Nick’s parents are here too.
The doorbell rings, and Poppy heads over to answer it. Her parents walk in. After introductions, everyone starts talking and visiting.
“Briar told us that you got drafted by the Nashville Wolves,” her dad, Henry, says. “Congratulations. What an accomplishment.”
“Thanks. I’m definitely excited. A little nervous too.”
Henry waves a hand and chuckles. “No need to be nervous. We’ve seen how well you play. You’re going to do great.”
“Can I get you guys something to drink? We’ve got bottled water in the fridge, beer in the cooler in the garage, and Briar is making mimosas in the kitchen.”
“I think I’ll wait for Briar to bring out the mimosas,” Rachel says. She gives me a pointed look. “She’s still staying here at the house with you, right?”
“Yes. She found an apartment she likes though, and she’s going to check it out soon.”
Rachel sighs and shakes her head. “She had such a nice apartment in Chicago. It was close to campus too. It’s a shame she gave it up because of a breakup.”
I bite my tongue to keep from saying anything. Briar’s mom has always been nice to me, but I hate how dismissive she’s being to Briar.
I know she doesn’t know the full story about what happened with her ex, but still. She should be supportive of Briar instead of criticizing her.
“Rachel, we said we wouldn’t bring that up, remember?” Henry says.
She exhales sharply. “Right.”
A minute later, Briar walks out of the kitchen holding a mimosa in each hand. When she smiles at her parents, it doesn’t reach her eyes.
“Hey, guys.” She hands a drink to her mom. Rachel pulls her into a side hug, then she turns to hug her dad.
“Good to see you two,” Briar says. “How was the drive in?”
“Good,” Henry says. “The traffic wasn’t too bad when we got in last night.”
“Oh. Good.” Briar clears her throat. She’s quiet for a second. Her parents exchange a look. I have no idea what that’s about, but it’s kind of awkward that they’re standing there, not saying anything.
“Mr. Bennett, wanna grab a beer in the garage with me?”
“Sure, that sounds nice. Thanks, Blake.”
When we come back into the house from the garage, my parents are walking through the front door. I head over to hug and greet them.
“You guys remember Briar’s dad, Henry, right?”
They immediately start catching up. I glance over to where Briar and her mom are standing and starting to talk. From their serious expressions, it seems pretty stilted.
