Page 322 of Breaking the Pucking Rules
I shrug one shoulder as I begin pulling the containers out. “Didn’t want to.”
“Well, lucky for you, I love all Chinese.”
After grabbing two bottles of water from her fridge, she hops up on the stool beside me as I pull the lids off and instantly dives for a spring roll.
“Ohmygodsogood,” she mumbles.
I let my eyes trail over her. “I was thinking the same.”
Reaching out, I fist her jersey and drag her closer so I can kiss her.
It might have only been a few hours, but I need my Casey fix.
“Can’t wait to win tomorrow and claim my prize in person,” I say, releasing her.
“And I can’t wait for you to lose so I can claim mine.”
I gasp in horror. “You don’t mean that.”
“Don’t I?” she teases. “It’s your first game this season against your old team. You beat them last time you played. They’ll be coming with a point to prove. It’s gonna be a tough game. Have you seen how well they’re doing this season?”
“Of course. Should I be concerned that you have?”
She smirks. “You’re cute.”
“I am not cute.”
“You kinda are.”
I huff a laugh before stabbing a piece of shredded beef and pushing it past my lips.
“Have you heard anything from your dad?”
“Nope. He wouldn’t message it anyway. He’ll wait until the morning and do it face to face.”
“What are your plans for Thanksgiving?” I ask, changing the subject, although the second shadows pass through her eyes, I kick myself for doing it. I already know she’s dreading the next few weeks.
“We’ll just be home. I’ll cook,” she says sadly. “It’s not the same without Mom,” she confesses.
“How old were you when you lost her?” I ask.
As we eat, Casey tells me all about her mom. She doesn’t just tell me about the illness that stole her too soon, but she tells mewhat an incredible person and parent she was with a smile on her face and tears glistening in her eyes.
“Dad has never gotten over it. I wish he could move on. Find someone to share his life with.”
“He will when the time is right and his person comes along,” I say. I may not have lost Sutton’s mom in the way Coach did Casey’s mom, but letting someone else in was never a part of my plan. But then there was Casey. I hope Coach gets to experience the same thing at some point.
“What if Mom was it for him?”
“I love the idea that there is only one person out there for us, but then people like your dad and my mom wouldn’t have another chance. They deserve that.”
“They really do.”
“So, what are your plans for Thanksgiving?”
“Mom will cook and Sutton and I will eat until we can’t move.”
Casey chuckles as she twists her fork in her noodles.
