Page 68 of I Blame the Alcohol

“Stella! That’s right. She’s a freshman this year, isn’t she?”

“Yeah. We’ve gotten pretty close over the break.”

My mother’s eyebrow raises knowingly, “Will I be meeting this girl anytime soon?”

“Hopefully.” The thought of introducing Stella to my mom already has my face breaking into a cheesy ass grin.

“I see.” My mother beams through the screen, her happiness as infectious as ever, “In that case, I cannot wait to meet her.”

Her camera jostles and I get a shot of Hank waving from beside a lit-up palm tree.

“Merry Christmas, Cody!”

Choosing not to comment on the fact he is half naked in a set of elf boxers, I wave back with a smile, “Merry Christmas, Hank!”

My mother sighs, “I can’t believe you forgot what day it was.”

“I’ve been keeping busy. Must have slipped my mind.” I run a hand through my spiked hair, uncomfortably aware the break is quickly coming to an end.

Soon, Stella and I will be going back to school. I’ll go back to being a varsity captain and she’ll go back to tormenting her roommate with every residence event possible. And we will… what? Go back to being gym buddies? Go on dates when I’m not training, studying, and coaching?

Whose place would we stay at?

A headache starts to form at the back of my skull as the questions of reality come crashing down. This break has been amazing, Stella and I have spent more time together these last few weeks than we have all year, but how will we manage in the real world?

My mother’s voice breaks through my spiralling thoughts, pulling me back to present.

“Well, don’t go pushing yourself too hard. You’ll be back in routine before you know it.”

That’s what I’m afraid of.

We chat for a few more minutes before ending the call with promises of bringing Stella home soon. My phone pings with a series of incoming texts, confirming my forgetfulness.

Nico: Merry Xmas Sexy.

Mason: Hope you’re holed up with a lacrosse bunny somewhere. Happy Christmas Ellsworth.

Wes: Tis the season to feast upon the blood of our enemies – Championship banner here we come! Merry Christmas, Cap.

I smile, typing out replies and sending a few messages of my own. Once I’m finished, I grab my phone from the nightstand and pull up Mo’s number.

“You know we are living in the same house.” Amusement seeps through his voice, and I can easily picture the smirk on his face.

“I need a favour.”

“Shoot.”

“Can you drive me to a nearby mall? I need to make a purchase.”

Mo chuckles, “That’s the easiest favour I’ve ever had to deliver. Meet me on the driveway in ten.”

“Did you know it’s Christmas today?”

The Cadillac’s engine rumbles as Mo accelerates onto the highway. The black model is identical to the one he was driving back in Taber, making me wonder how many of these the O’Briens have on hand.

“Is it?” Mo shrugs, “Came up fast this year.”

I’m stupefied by his reaction. From what I’ve seen, Mo’s family isn’t devotedly religious, but even the laxer Christians tend to celebrate the opportunity for a family gathering.

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