Page 39 of FWB
Kenny
It was tough leaving Lilii with someone new tonight.
So far, Sam has been the one to watch her on the days I have to go into the office since he’s a freelance musician and makes his own schedule.
I must have interviewed a dozen different potential babysitters until I finally settled on a woman in her sixties who recently retired from a lifelong career as a neonatal nurse.
She came highly recommended, and I did check every one of her references.
Therefore, I felt pretty confident Lilii was in the best hands possible. Maybe even better than mine and Sam’s.
I needed this night out, and I was so stoked to watch the Bruins play the Preds.
Now all I can focus on is finding Tiegan.
Finally, I spot her about five rows down and to the left.
The man sitting to her left is huge in stature; I’m sure he would easily tower over me.
He’s also got this incredible head of wavy gray hair and a matching beard, with a pair of thin, wire-rimmed glasses sitting atop the bridge of his nose.
He’s giving off major Silver Fox vibes, and I don’t like it.
He’s also wearing a Bruins jersey. Ugh. That’s my team!
He can’t get my girl and my fucking team.
“What are you staring at?” Sam asks, trying to look in the direction I’m glaring daggers toward.
“Tiegan,” is all I have to say.
“So that was Tiegan, huh? I can see why you’re so hung up on her, at least physically. She’s hot.”
I shoot an icy glare at him. He holds up his hands in mock surrender. I go back to staring at Tiegan and her new beau.
This is all my fault. Maybe if I told Tiegan the truth she would understand? I need to try and talk to her again. I notice her friend get up to brave the crowd in the hallway for a few minutes. Now’s my chance. I start to get up out of my seat.
“Where are you going? The starting lineup is about to begin!” Sam cries.
“I’ll be right back,” I say, my eyes trained on Tiegan.
I make my way down the steps to Tiegan’s row and take the seat next to her.
She’s got her eyes on the ice, watching the players starting to warm up.
I don’t say anything; I just wait for her to notice me.
She starts talking before she looks over.
“That was fa– Shit! Goddamnit, Kenny!” she says once she realizes I’m not her guest.
“You know I’ve always loved sneaking up on you.”
“Yeah. I know. What do you want? How’d you even find me in this sea of people?”
“I will always pick you out of a crowd.”
She turns her face away, back toward the ice.
“Look,” I say, trying to get her attention again.
“I owe you an apology. It was never my intention to hurt you. That was the last thing in this world I ever wanted to happen. I understand I fucked up, and I’m sorry I’m still not at total liberty to tell you what’s been going on.
But I truly think it’s for your own good that you don’t know right now.
I understand if you don’t want to see me anymore, but I really hope you’ll reconsider at least being friends with me. ”
“Friends tell each other what’s going on in their lives, Kenny,” she says, still not looking at me, as she wipes away a single tear that escapes down her cheek.
“Hey, you’re in my seat, pal. This guy bothering you, Tiegan?” her date asks, standing next to me in the empty row.
“No, this is a colleague from work. He just stopped by to say hello,” Tiegan says quickly, putting on a smile that is forced.
I take the hint. I wordlessly stand to go, feeling deflated that she referred to me as a mere colleague. While her friend makes way for me to get through, Tiegan says in a voice that’s barely a whisper, “We’ll talk later, Kenny.”
I look back at her and nod once.
When I return to my seat, Sam asks, “Well, how’d it go?”
“I’m not sure.”
The Bruins end up sweeping the Preds away and I don’t even care. I don’t pay attention to the game. Fights break out all around us, both on and off the ice, and I don’t even flinch. I feel numb.