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“Nuh-uh,” Ethan interjects, shaking his finger. “It’s either Formula 1 or hockey.”
“Formula 1 is boring!” Senna declares, much to his father’s shock.
“Heathen!” Ethan exclaims, placing a hand on his chest in mock horror.
Amanda is laughing at this point, covering her mouth with her hand. She comes over and holds onto Senna’s arm.
“It’s been so long and he’s still comfortable with you,” she says, amazed.
“Yeah…” I say, kissing his temple. “I missed him. I missed you all.”
Amanda smiles. I can’t tell if I’ve made her uncomfortable or if she’s pitying me. Soon she takes Senna out of my arms and says, “Come on, let’s go see your friends!”
“Yeah, I have to work!” I say with a wave. Amanda nods in acknowledgment over her shoulder, leaving me alone with Ryan and Ethan once again.
“Okay, boys…” I continue, “I have to keep an eye on things. Please be good.”
“No worries, ma’am. We won’t dry up the bar on our own,” Ethan says with a mock salute.
As I leave the bar, I sense someone following me. I turn around before entering the kitchen.
“What do you want, Ryan?” I ask, sounding bored.
“Um… Some of my stuff is still with you.”
“Oh!” It hits me suddenly. There’s plenty of his stuff still in my apartment. “I can bring it to you. How long will you be in town?”
With a frown, he answers, “I’ll be leaving Detroit tonight, but you’ll be in St. Louis in a few days for the next NHL game, right? I’ll be following the games this season as a sponsor of the team. I’ll be at as many games as I can. One of the perks.”
“Great.” I force myself to smile. “I should be able to fit your things into my luggage and bring them. Did your number change? I’ll message you.”
Ryan’s brow furrows, his gaze searching mine. “You haven’t blocked me?”
I scoff and shrug, mirroring his confusion. “I thought our breakup was amicable, Ryan. Why? Did you block me?”
Ryan turns away, flushing red as he struggles to respond.
Finally, he mumbles, “I’ll text you to let you know where I’m staying.” With that, he waves goodbye and leaves.
As I return to my work, I relish any solitude I can find, but as the day ends, I feel the weight of loneliness settling in.
I seriously need more friends.
Chapter Two
ETHAN
I’m still having fun, talking to the guys and chugging energy drinks. It takes me way too long to realize that somebody else isn’t having fun anymore.
Amanda is sitting in a corner, her eyes wandering from the TV monitors to the dying party. She has Senna in her arms, half asleep.
Too late, I remember that I told her I’d drive them home.
Immediately, I excuse myself and rush over to them. Amanda looks at me with longing, and a big ‘Finally!’ is written on her face.
“Time to leave?” I ask, but I already know the answer.
“Sure,” Amanda says with a sigh of relief.
