Page 69 of Cross Check Christmas
Where was this guy when I was trying to drive Hendrix out of town? We could have exchanged notes.
"The kids are really responding to Coach Ellis," Sarah adds, giving me a knowing look.
But Wade's already launching into suggestions about practice drills and game strategies, while Sarah's expression grows increasingly stormy.
"I'm sure Hendrix has other commitments to get back to,” Wade continues. “Besides, Sarah's got things under control at home, right honey?"
Sarah's smile tightens slightly. "I mean, we're managing..."
I feel my stomach drop. Of course Wade would want to come back early. And of course Hendrix would jump at the chance to return to his real life. Why did I let myself forget this was all temporary?
I mumble an excuse and bolt from the group, my heels clicking against the tile floor as I make my way toward the restroom. The walls feel like they're closing in, and I need space to breathe. To think. Of course Hendrix would leave - he was always going to leave. That was the whole point of my stupid bet with Daisy.
I barely make it halfway down the dimly lit hallway when I hear footsteps behind me.
"Colette, wait." Hendrix's voice stops me in my tracks.
I turn to face him, my heart skipping a beat at the unfamiliar hardness in his eyes. Gone is the playful sparkle I've grown used to seeing, replaced by something darker, more intense.
"What's bothering you?" he asks, his jaw tight.
"Nothing. I just need to use the bathroom." I gesture vaguely toward the ladies' room door, but he moves into my path.
The fluorescent hallway lights cast harsh shadows across his face, making him look almost like a stranger. Something's wrong - I can feel it in the way he's holding himself, shoulders tense and jaw set in a way that makes my stomach twist into knots.
"I heard something interesting today." His voice is low, controlled. "Can you guess what that might be?"
My heart stutters in my chest as I try to decipher his expression. Before I can respond, Janet appears out of nowhere with a Santa hat stuffed with paper slips, grabbing both our arms.
"There you two are! The white elephant exchange is starting." She practically drags us back toward the party room. "And karaoke right after. You both need to pick your songs now or you'll be stuck with 'All I Want for Christmas Is You.'"
"Janet, we're in the middle of—" Hendrix starts.
"No excuses! Principal Chen specifically said everyone has to participate. Pick a number." She holds out the Santa hat. "This is mandatory fun, people!"
I dig into the Santa hat and pull out a paper slip - number twenty-three. Great. I'll be one of the last to pick.
I find a seat on one end of the circle, sandwiched between the school counselor and the librarian. Hendrix takes a seat on the opposite end, his eyes locked on me for a moment before he looks away. His large frame looks comical in one of those tiny bistro chairs, his knees practically touching his chest. Whatever he was about to say in the hallway will have to wait.
A woman two seats down from me whispers to Jerry from the art department, who glances at Hendrix, grunts and reluctantly gives her a dollar. I raise an eyebrow, curious, but I have more pressing concerns.
Like Hendrix's sudden mood swing. And what he's going to do when Wade inevitably asks to come back to work early. I push the thoughts aside, trying to focus on the festivities.
"Remember everyone," Janet chirps, adjusting her jingling reindeer antlers. "You can either pick a new gift from the pile or steal one that's already been opened. Each gift can only be stolen three times before it's locked. Number one, you're up!"
Mr. Phillips waves his paper slip enthusiastically from his seat, nearly toppling over. Two other teachers steady him as he hobbles forward to select a square package wrapped in silver paper.
Inside is a ceramic cookie jar shaped like a Christmas goose which gets stolen by Marcy.
The stealing and swapping continues, with much theatrical groaning and laughter. I barely register who has what, too distracted by the weight of Hendrix's stare burning into me from across the circle.
When his number is called - seventeen - he picks a square, thin package wrapped in brown paper. His large hands make quick work of the paper, revealing a wall calendar featuring shirtless firefighters posing with puppies.
"Oh, that's hilarious!" Sarah calls out, bouncing Emma against her shoulder.
Hendrix's lips quirk up, but the smile doesn't reach his eyes. He keeps glancing at me between turns, that same hard expression from earlier making my stomach twist.
I fidget in my chair as the numbers tick higher. Twenty-one... twenty-two...
