Page 46 of Stick Work

“It was just a dance studio. There were so many kids. You should have seen them. All tiny and full of energy in tutus. Even some boys.”

“Yeah?” His voice softens even more. “I love that boys are doing ballet and wearing tutus.”

“Me too.”

“That must have been adorable.”

“It was adorable.” I snuggle in deeper and struggle to keep my eyes open as sleep pulls at me.

“I bet if I did ballet, it would have made me a better skater.”

“I have no doubt about that and it’s not too late, you know. I can help you with some moves. Even yoga.”

“I’d like that, T.”

Another long moment of silence, and I ask, “You guys back on the road tomorrow?”

“Yeah, headed to Nashville.”

“Going to kick butt?”

He runs his fingers through his hair, messing it up and making it look damn sexy, and that’s when I realize just how much I miss having him beside me.

“That’s the plan.” A small sleepy smile plays on his lips.

I reach across the bed, my fingers brushing against his pillow. Pulling it closer, I breathe in the faint scent that still lingers there. “I enjoyed the game tonight, even if it was a loss.”

“Thanks.” His eyes flutter shut, then spring open. “Hey, wait, you were supposed to be studying.”

I give him a sheepish look. “I studied between periods.”

He shifts to get comfortable, his voice soft and drowsy when he asks, “What are your plans for the weekend?”

“More studying in the day, and we have a show Saturday and Sunday nights.” I tuck the pillow under my chin. “And I want to get out and pick up some Christmas presents.”

“That sounds nice. Are you going alone or with Sahara?”

“She’s working and everyone else is busy, so I’ll go alone.”

“Hmm.” As he makes a sound like he’s deep in thought I angle my head. What is he up to? “If you want to wait until I get back on Tuesday, I can go with you. I know you don’t have a class on Tuesday until the evening.”

He knows that? My heart does a weird little tumble. “Now, how am I supposed to buy you a present if you’re with me?”

“The only thing I want to unwrap on Christmas morning is you,” he responds, his lips quirking into a sleepy smile as he cracks one eye open to peek at me.

I can’t help but smile back, because yeah, I like that idea too. “I think I can arrange that. Although we do have a big family dinner.”

“Are you looking forward to having Sahara’s big family and your dad and Miles?”

I let out a soft sigh. “I am. I haven’t seen Dad in a while and I’m so glad he and Kalen patched things up.” A thought strikes me and I inch up on one elbow. “Wait, I never even stopped to think about it, but won’t your family want you home?”

“Yeah, absolutely, but I told them I wanted to stay here with you and they were more than happy about it. They want us building that relationship.”

A knot twists in my stomach, the guilt of keeping secrets from his sweet family sitting heavy in my heart.

“Besides,” he adds, “We’ll see them for Easton’s New Year’s Eve wedding.”

“You never did explain why Easton was having a Vegas wedding.” A small laugh escapes me at the thought of a Vegas wedding as I settle back down.

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