He let himself out.
A loud and rowdy crowd greeted me at the bar. Televisions hung from every corner, providing prime viewing from every angle of the bar.
“Elizabeth!” Margo exclaimed. “You made it!”
Tyler screamed at the television. “You’re tougher than that. Press ‘em, press ‘em.”
When the Kraken missed a shot, Tyler clutched his hair with his hands, making it stand on end, and groaned. “What the heck was that?”
Kate put her arms around him from behind, kissed the side of his neck. “It’s ok, baby. You would have made it.”
“Damn straight.” He muttered, reaching for her hand. He kissed the top of it.
Thomas stood and held a chair out for me. “I’m glad you came,” he said quietly.
I took off my jacket and he took it from me.
Margo gazed at my scarf. “The colors are gorgeous!”
I unwrapped it from around my neck and placed it over my coat on the back of the chair. “Thank you.” I sat down and nodded towards the screen. “Who’s winning?”
“Bruins. But only by one.” Thomas put his hand on my shoulder. “Can I get you something to drink?”
I rested my hands in my lap and turned only my head towards him. “Sure. How about an IPA?”
“Comin’ right up.” He stood and I turned my attention back to the television. But not before I caught Margo’s look of longing as Thomas walked towards the bar. I averted my eyes as quickly as I could, not wanting her to feel embarrassed.
Since returning from Colorado, the bubble of fog I’d submersed myself in had been lifted. I was noticing things I hadn’t before. Like Margo. And Thomas. And Tyler and Kate.
Thomas returned with my beer. “I ordered a plate of nachos and some hot wings.”
“Thank you.”
My attention turned to the game, and I found myself getting caught up in the action. This was something I never had trouble doing. The game was so fast. It was hard to keep up with the puck.
When the Kraken were still down by one in the third period, Tyler stood and paced. “Come on!” he shouted at the television.
My leg was bouncing.
Thomas chuckled next to me. “You okay?”
“Oh, yeah. It’s just kind of tense.” I took a sip of my beer.
The Kraken scored and Tyler shouted, “Yes, one more. C’mon, one more.”
The players flew across the screen. My leg bounced even harder. Brett was shoved up against the wall, and I jumped out of my seat. “Stop playing with the puck!”
Quiet settled around the table. The rest of the bar wasn’t fazed by my outburst and continued their conversations. Margo, however, gaped at me and laughed. “Okay, Liz. A closet fan, I see.”
I sat back down and said sheepishly, “My sister is marrying a hockey player.”
Thomas leaned towards me. “I didn’t know that.”
I sighed. “It’s a long story.”
“I’d like to hear it.”
Despite what I had so clearly seen as unrequited affection on Margo’s face, Thomas and I had always been friends. “Okay. Maybe later.”