Page 56 of Puck'N Enemy
Maddie peeks out from behind a couch, her eyes lighting up when she sees her brother. But the moment she sees me standing awkwardly behind Logan, she gasps.
“Dylan!” she squeals, running over to me. Throwing her arms around my waist, she hugs me tightly. “I can’t believe you’re here! I missed you so much!”
I freeze for a moment before hugging her back. A soft laugh escapes me as I lay a gentle hand on her head. “You still remember me?”
“Of course I do!” she insists, frowning. “You used to help me with my spelling and you always brought me candy after practice!” she says, beaming up at me. “Did you bring me any today?”
I glance toward Logan. He shrugs and walks toward the kitchen, leaving me alone to make excuses to his baby sister. Who isn’t much of a baby anymore. She’s grown several inches taller since the last time I saw her.
“Sorry, Maddie,” I say, my throat choking up as my old memories clash with the present. “I was at work before I met up with Logan. I’ll make sure I bring candies the next time I come to visit.”
“Yay!” she cries out with a cheerful grin.
“You’ve gotten so big,” I tell her, smiling.
She grins proudly. “I’m eight years old now!” Grabbing my hand, she pulls me toward the kitchen. “Come on now. Mom brought home some brownies today. I’ll give you some with ice cream and chocolate sauce. You’ll love it!”
“Thanks, Maddie,” I say, letting her take me into the kitchen.
Logan’s at the counter, drinking from a glass of water. He quietly watches as Maddie prepares two bowls of brownies with a mountain of whipped cream, chocolate sauce, and scoops of ice cream.
The sight stirs up warm and bittersweet memories of the past. I remember all the afternoons I spent here, doing homework at the kitchen table or eating dinner with Logan’s family like I belonged with them.
And standing here now, it feels like a piece of that life is still waiting for me.
“Do you want some?” I ask Logan when Maddie hands me a bowl of her dessert creation.
“Nope. I had enough dessert at dinner.”
“Logan doesn’t like sweet stuff,” Maddie tells me. “He thinks it’ll make him fat.”
A giggle escapes me and soon, both Maddie and I are chuckling at the annoyed look on Logan’s face.
Even though I’m full from dinner, I don’t waste anything in my bowl.
“You should come around more often,” Maddie tells me. “I know how to make cookies now.”
“Wow! I guess I’ve got to come again to taste them,” I tell her.
“All right, Maddie,” Logan says with a sigh. “It’s time for you to go to bed.”
“I don’t want to,” she mumbles, pouting.
“It’s a school night,” Logan reminds her. “You have to be up early to get ready for school or I’m not driving you there.”
“Fine,” she mutters, defeated. “I guess I’ll have to catch up with Dylan another time.” Coming over to me, she hugs me again and walks out of the kitchen.
“You’re coming with me,” Logan says, grabbing my hand.
I hesitate but follow him as he leads me upstairs to his room.
Logan’s room is still the same as I remember. The walls are filled with posters of hockey players with motivational quotes on them. All the furniture is old and worn, but the room is neat and has a lived-in feel to it.
A cold breeze blows in through the window as I stand in the middle of the room. A hint of uncertainty flickers through me as my heart hammers against my chest.
Logan closes the door. When I turn around to face him, he’s close, so close that his breath brushes over my lips.
“You have no idea how long I’ve wanted this again,” Logan murmurs, his voice low and rough.
