Page 269 of On His Team

“I’m not manifesting anything.”

“You’re saying it.”

My dad nudges her gently.

She lifts her hands. “Fine.”

Lucy tries not to smile.

I look at her and make a small circle beside my head with my finger.

Benson catches me.

He looks at Lucy and nods once like he agrees.

My dad saves everyone by asking him something about Michigan’s second pair, and just like that, Benson is talking hockey with him.

I sit there listening. Mostly. Watching my brother. Watching Lucy watch him. Watching my parents pretend tomorrow is not going to emotionally destroy them no matter what happens.

Eventually Benson checks his phone. “I have to go.”

My mom is already on her feet, but Benson doesn’t move.

She looks at him, confused. “Go.”

He still doesn’t move. “I know. I’m going.” He stays another minute anyway because Lucy is saying something quietly to him.

Then everybody starts hugging him.

My mom holds on longest and says something into his ear. My dad shakes his hand first, then pulls him in. When it is my turn, I wrap my arms around him carefully.

“See you tomorrow.”

“You’ll see me tonight.”

I pull back. “Oh. Right.”

He smiles. “Dinner at six. Ballroom downstairs. Fuller’s letting families come.”

“All of us?”

“If you’re on the list.”

I perk up. “Am I on the list?”

“Unfortunately.”

I shove his shoulder lightly.

He kisses Lucy before he goes.

I watch him walk away.

Tomorrow.

The afternoon disappears after that.

Aspen goes to work with absolutely no remorse. My parents vanish somewhere that probably involves gambling and money they refuse to give me. Mara spends ten minutes claiming her fake ID will absolutely work before Penelope tells her she is not bailing her out of a Nevada jail.