Page 104 of Cross-Check

“It wouldn’t have stopped the Grace situation,” she tells me.

It’s true, but thinking back, I wonder if it would have helped at all.

“It doesn’t matter now, but I’m sorry, and the next time I see you, I will give you an apology to your face.”

“You really don’t need to,” she insists.

“Of course not, but I will. To Dad too.”

“Well then, I can’t wait to see this new and improved Kellan at Thanksgiving. Seems like he is growing into quite the young man.”

“Actually, that was why I was calling. Would you be upset if I skipped Thanksgiving this year?” I wince as the words come out of my mouth.

“Is it because of this girl?” she asks.

“I know I said this with Grace, but I really mean it with her. I’m in love with her. I think about her all the time. When she’s not with me, all I do is count down the minutes until I get to see her again. Then when I do, I feel like my whole world is right again. I have never felt this way before.”

“It sure does sound like something special. You want to go with her I suppose?”

“I invited her home with us, but she has something she wants to talk about with her mom and brother, but she doesn’t want to face it alone. She didn’t ask me to go home with her, but I feel I need to be there for her. She shouldn’t have to ask me to be the rock she needs. I should just do it because I love her.”

Mom chuckles. “Yeah, that sounds like love. Do I at least get to know the name of the girl who is taking my little boy away for the holiday?”

I smile. “Cora. Cora James.”

“James? Isn’t that Grace’s new boyfriend’s last name?” Mom hums.

“It’s his sister, and before you say anything, I didn’t know that when we started dating.”

“My sweet boy. You really got yourself into something there, huh? Well, you don’t need my blessing to skip Thanksgiving. You are an adult, but you have it anyway. I’ll let your father know. He will be bummed, but he will get it. He was young and in love once too. I want to meet this girl that changed your life.”

“You will. I invited her to come for Christmas. Hope you don’t mind the extra guest,” I joke.

“Really? Her family won’t mind?” Mom asks.

“Clay will be with Grace, and her mom is working. She was planning to be at home alone, so I told her we had room for her.”

“Perfect. Does she like to bake? Cook? We can bond while we make Christmas goodies. Oh, I need a list of what she likes. Anything she wants and needs. I need to put her on the Christmas shopping list. Oh, do you think she will do the matching pajamas with us? She can be on the Christmas card with us this year. This is so wonderful.”

“Mom, breathe. I will ask her about all of that and report back.”

“Please do. Oh, I have so many plans to make. You enjoy Thanksgiving with her and treat her right. If she’s the one, then you don’t want to lose her.”

“I don’t plan to.”

“Love you, Kellan. I’m proud of you.”

“Thanks, Mom. Love you too.”

Hanging up the phone, I look at the clock. I still have fifteen minutes before I have to be at practice.

Hustling out of the dorm, I throw my bag in my truck, only one destination in mind. When I left Cora, she was sleeping soundly this morning. I didn’t want to disturb her, so I kissed her softly and made my way back to my own dorm.

I don’t want to wait to tell her the good news.

Leaving my truck in a no-parking zone, I take the risk and run up to the door. Thankfully someone is coming out, holding the door open so I don’t have to buzz up.

When I get to her door, I knock softly.

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