Page 92 of Sporting Goods

“Will you call him back already?” Sam urged, shifting back to sit next to Josh, who immediately tucked her under his arm. “This playing hard to get thing is getting old.”

Tisch moved closer to us. “I don't want to seem like I've been waiting.”

“It’s Christmas, Tisch. Everyone’s always waiting for someone.” That came from Rayne.

She sighed. “Fine, but only because I can’t sit here and watch you lovesick puppies any longer. I’ll call him back and let him know he can pick me up.” She gathered her things and was on the phone with him before walking out the door.

I caught Jax eyeing me from the table, and I gave him a warm smile. Because he brought that out in me. He rolled his eyes and nodded toward an unwrapped box under the tree.

I shook my head in response.

Josh stood. “Okay, who’s ready to try out the new sled?”

The kids cheered and jumped, abandoning their new gifts.

“It’s so cold,” Rayne whined, gripping her mug.

I chuckled when Jax cocked his head the way I would when I mocked his mother. “Not you mom, you stay can stay here and…I don’t know…take a hot shower or something.” He stood and went to the tree.

My chest tightened.

“Here mom, Logan and I got you one more present. So you can feel warm all over...all the time.” Jax handed her the big box we had tucked in the back.

Rayne’s eyes lit. “One more? For me?” She clapped in excitement and eyed me suspiciously. “I think I know what it is.” She pulled the lid off and moaned. “Oh yes. It is. It’s the bathrobe I absolutely needed. Sam, you have to feel this thing.”

Jax skipped over to me and tugged on my arm, “We won’t be out there long,” he whispered.

I released a breath.Great. No pressure.

Josh and Brody went to put their coats on while Jax ran back to his mother. He whispered something in her ear and sprinted happily to get his boots on.

Rayne blinked, looking confused and looked back in the box.

When the three of them walked out, leaving us alone, I settled next to her by the fire while she shuffled through tissue paper in the same box.

“What are you doing? Looking for a card?” I laughed. “There isn’t one.”

“Jax said everything in this box is from both of you.” She bit her bottom lip with a smile. “I’m looking for more stuff.”

I pulled the empty box away from her and tossed it aside. I’m glad you like it. And don’t worry. I’m getting you another one to keep at my place too.”

Her face dropped. “Right, your place.”

“You don’t seem very happy.”

“I am. I just love being with you. I wish we could be together…more often.”

I stood and pulled her to her feet. “Well,” I lifted the robe from her fingers, “we have a few minutes alone now. And you’re here with me until we drive back after new years.”

I slipped the robe over her shoulders and kissed her neck. She wriggled away from me and shoved her hands into the oversized pockets. “I don’t mean that kind of more ofte—” when she froze, I knew she felt it.

Slowly, she pulled the velvet box from the pocket and held it up.

I stepped in front of her and smirked. “You mean likethatmore often?” I nodded toward the box.

She opened her mouth but there was no sound.

I took it from her and opened it. “Jax helped me pick this out a few weeks ago.”

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