A smile gradually lifts her lips, lighting up her eyes. “Good. Me too.”
“Good.” My hand grazes her arm, and I groan that I can’t be as affectionate with her as I want to right now.
Staff members are rushing through the halls like madmen, preparing for the game, so Shay and I stay silent during our walk to the elevator so no one overhears something they shouldn’t.
“Your dad must be doing okay, given he’s here,” Shay murmurs when we get into the elevator, and I nod proudly, pressing the button to take us up.
“Yeah. Must be.” I sigh. “I’m so glad he’s here.”
Her hand slips into mine, and she squeezes gently before releasing it right as the elevator doors open. “I’m excited to meet them.”
My heart feels full, too full and overwhelming. I haven’t introduced a girl to my parents in years, not since I was in my early twenties. I’ve had girlfriends and dates, but nothing that lasted more than a couple of months and certainly nothing that was worth bringing home.
But Shay is worth everything. I would scream my feelings for her from the rooftop if I could right now. Soon enough.
The door attendee smiles at us as we approach, opening the door for us. “Hello, guys.”
“Hi,” Shay responds kindly, stepping back to let me take the lead.
Nodding and smiling, I step into the room, finding my parents and a handful of other people inside, keeping to themselves.
My mom hasn’t noticed me yet. She’s looking up at my dad with despair in her gaze, and my heart shatters. They have been the biggest lovebirds I’ve ever known. Exuberantly affectionate, loving, and touchy. But he’s standing away from her without any hint of a smile.
She grabs her phone from the table and rapidly types away, but she glances up, forcing a smile on her face that I know she doesn’t feel. “Hey, Matty!”
“Hey, Mom,” I greet her back, pulling her in for a hug that is far too short. “This is Shay.”
My mom practically launches herself at Shay, embracing her tightly. “It is so nice to meet you.”
“You too.” Shay’s eyes are wide from the unexpected affection, but she settles into it by the time my mom pulls back.
My mom glances over to my dad, an indiscernible gleam in her eye. “Rick, say hi.”
My dad’s watching the ice crew below, but he perks up, hearing my mom’s voice, and turns to face us as Shay steps back to my side.
His eyes search my mom’s first, and I can immediately tell something’s not right. It’s like there’s a veil over them, blurring reality and his mind.
“Yes, dear?” he responds, his voice sounding like him but his tone like someone I’ve never met. “What are we doing here again?”
My mom’s face falls, and panic takes over as she looks up at me and back to him as the look in his eyes starts chipping away at my heart. “For Matty’s game, remember?”
“Hi, Dad,” I address him softly, and his head slowly turns my way, his eyes lighting up a bit.
“My God,” he gasps, studying me and looking me up and down. “You are very fit, and you have a great head of hair, son.”
I chuckle. “Thanks, Dad. I got it from you.”
My mom doesn’t giggle, which surprises me because she usually is a laughter box, but I shake off the feeling that something’s off, that she isn’t telling me something for some reason.
My dad’s eyebrows scrunch together, and he steps back like I’ve offended him.
“What’s wrong?” I ask, stepping toward him, but he retracts further, his back pressing up against the counter.
“Rick, take deep breaths, okay? You’re with your family.” My mom wraps her arm around his shoulders. “You’re okay.”
He scowls at her before turning back to me, and I feel like my vision is starting to spot out, the world fading away as he says, “Son, I don’t know who you think I am, but I’m certainly not your father. Who are you?” He turns to my mom. “You look just like my wife, Sharon.”
Tears roll down my mom’s cheeks. “I am your wife. I’m Sharon.”
