He disappears to the bar and I sit alone as people slowly begin to make their way in, one by one, filling the tables up.
“Hello, I’m Veronica.” One lady smiles as she sits down beside me.
“I’m Ted,” her husband says, and they begin a conversation with me about the entertainment that’s scheduled for tonight. I’m too distracted.
What’s taking Julian so long?
I glance over to the bar to see him talking to a lady and a man, deep in conversation. I take out my phone.
There's a message waiting for me from Willow.
Hi, Brell,
We can’t forget the uniforms tomorrow.
I close my eyes. Shit, the uniforms.
I completely forgot about them. It was our turn to wash the jerseys after training on Thursday night. We threw the big bag of them in the trunk. They’re still in there, all dirty.
Damn it. I’m going to have to wash them tonight when I get home.
Yes, of course.
What time are we leaving again?
She texts back.
Eight o’clock.
I blow out a breath. Great. Looks like I’m washing when I get home. I text back.
Are you guys okay at Grandma’s?
A reply bounces in.
Yes.
Goodnight.
I smile.
Goodnight.
I sit at the table alone for a full twenty minutes while people try to make polite conversation with me. With every moment that passes, I get a little more agitated. I glance over and see him laughing out loud, having a great time as he talks, while he leaves me sitting here alone.
I don’t get it.
I sip my champagne, wishing I could drain the whole bottle.
The entrees come out, but he still doesn’t return to the table. He and the woman are the only two standing by the bar now, and it’s apparent that he’s avoiding sitting down beside me.
Okay, now I’m getting pissed.
I roll my lips and push my chair out. I’m going to the bathroom.
I make my way out to the bathroom and sit in the cubicle for a while. Why would he bring me to a dinner and not even make an effort to sit with me? I know he doesn’t want anyone to know who I am, but would he really treat a friend like this if he took her out? I don’t think so.
My heart is hammering in angry beats.