Page 31 of Christmas Cheer

His impish grin tells me that, even though I’m ready to fight because I can’t possibly take it from him, he’s thought of that already. He nods to the small stack of boxes that are designated to be shipped to Germany. “You do. Somewhere in there.”

And there’s nothing I can do about that, no way I’m going through those boxes, not when the shipping station closes in two hours. All I can do is finish packing everything up, load it into Thad’s truck, and expect to find a game ball somewhere in there when I unpack it in a couple days.

On another continent.

It’s late and I’m tired by the time we finish up. I make another argument for Chinese takeaway and a movie night, but this time, Evan takes me back to his place just to swap vehicles and drive us up to our old stomping ground on the north side of Wilmington, where he picks us up dinner from my favorite sub shop and takes me on a drive through the botanical gardens. It’s their final night of the holiday decorations event they do every year.

On a whim, he drives me through the woods to the secluded spot where the high school kids smoke pot and make out, but his car’s way too nice for him to not get recognized, even with the tinted windows. He kisses me once as we pass by, and then we return to his college house.

I fall asleep before we even get back. I’m woken up by the sun, and then it’s time to get ready and go.

There’s no discussion about what’s going to happen at the airport. When the road splits between the drop-off lane and the short-term parking, he chooses drop-off lane, and I’m not sad about that.

He gets my luggage out of the car for me, makes sure one last time that I have my wallet, my passport, my phone, and my charger. By the time he kisses me goodbye, the traffic directors are whistling at us that he’s got to go.

“Have a safe trip. Text me when you land so I know you’re safe,” he says as he swipes one last tear away and lets me go.

I’m his Super Bowl. The most important game in the year, a miracle for anyone to get there, most players go their entire careers without getting a ring, but it’s just a game. A single day, a single week, and then a happy memory.

I’m halfway to the door when I he yells, “Hey, Hughes?”

I turn to find him already out in traffic but stopped. Everyone’s beeping at him. He doesn’t care.

He waves and, as his window starts to lift, yells, “I love you, Keira.”

And then he’s gone.

In another three hours, so am I.

Chapter 15

Keira

Evan

I just found a pair of your panties mixed into my hamper. They’re pink with white polka dots. Want me to mail them to you

Keira

…I think I can survive w/o 1 pair of underwear but ty for offering?

Evan

Oh good I was hoping you’d say no ::devil::

Keira

OMG don’t devil emoji me about my panties ::scream::

Evan

Ok according to the flight tracker you’re in the air now so I just want this to be clear when you land that I meant what I said. I love you

Keira

Just to be clear I have Wi-Fi on my flight

Evan

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