Page 24 of Just My Puck
“His house is amazing. I’m not sure what kind of place I lived in, but it was definitely not that luxurious. I pretty much have my own floor, and everything is so beautifully decorated.” I twist my mouth to the side. “Well, not with Christmas stuff, but it’s very elegant.”
“Yeah, the guys don’t really have time to decorate for the holidays,” Beth says, sipping from her straw. “James only got his first Christmas tree last year when I was staying with him.”
“Wait, so you’re with a Raptor too?” I ask, confused. Is there some kind of bug going around? Hayley, Marissa, and now Beth?
“Yep.” Her cheeks flush pink. “Well, actually, he’s my fiancé now. We got engaged on Friday.”
A smile stretches my lips. “Wow, congratulations.”
“Thanks. He took the ring to be resized this afternoon. I can’t wait to wear it.” Her smile falters. “Actually, your accident is what propelled him to ask on Friday. He was going to wait, but that moment reminded him how life can shift in an instant, and well, he proposed in the entryway of our apartment.”
“Well, I’m glad something good came out of it,” I say with a small laugh. “He’s right, though. Things can change in the blink of an eye.”
“How are you feeling?” she asks, wincing. “Must be super strange.” She shares a look with Marissa. “We agreed we wouldn’t bring up the subject, but here we are. You don’t have to answer if you don’t want to. We’re here to take your mind off it.”
I’m touched by their thoughtfulness. “That’s okay. And I get it. I’m pretty sure I would be dying to know more if I was in your shoes. It’s just like you said—super strange. Nothing feels familiar. My mind is pretty much a blank sheet, and there’s also the frustration knowing that my whole life, all my memories, are probably locked in a box inside my head, and I just don’t have the key to open it.”
“What kind of treatment are you doing?” Marissa asks.
“There’s no guarantee it’ll work, but I’m starting therapy tomorrow morning. Hopefully, it’ll help me get my memories back.”
“I’m sure it will. And until then, we’re here for you. Whether you need to talk about it or, well, just forget about it.”
“Thanks,” I say, feeling genuinely grateful for them.
“Plus, you’re in great handswith Caleb. He’s one of the best guys we know.”
Beth nods. “Hands down.”
Tingles warm my chest again as I think about Caleb. Do those sparks mean I’m attracted to him? I guess that’s pretty normal, after he saved me and pretty much gave me everything I could hope for. He is an incredibly nice guy.
Sure, he was involved in my accident, but he could have left me at the hospital. With Caleb offering his home and being so thoughtful, it’s impossible not to develop a tiny crush on him. Especially since I don’t think I’ve ever lived with a man before. The idea feels foreign, like a first for me. At the same time, it also feels right, but maybe that’s just because it’s Caleb. Making other people feel comfortable seems to be one of his superpowers.
“Hey, do you know where I could buy some Christmas decorations?” I ask, the idea sparking to life. “I want to do something nice for Caleb, after everything he’s done for me.”
Marissa claps her hands. “Great idea. I know just the place.”
11
“Do you think I could be a princess?”
Caleb Hawthorne
After all those meetings, I’m glad to get back home. I spent the entire afternoon thinking about Aria, wondering how she was doing with the girls. Coach even caught me spacing out during the strategy meeting. That straightened me out—for about thirty minutes.
Finally, I’m back home, but Aria isn’t here. When I texted her, she said they had another shop to visit before coming home.
It’s weird, waiting for someone to come home. I’ve been alone for so long, I didn’t think it was something I was missing. But the thought of spending the evening with her, talking about our day while eating a good meal, is oddly appealing.
I’m changing a light bulb in the dining room when the door opens. She looks as beautiful as ever, but a little more relaxed too. Her cheeks are slightly flushed, and her one eye is sparkling brighter than before. I had a feeling it would do her good. Marissa and Beth are a force of positivity.
She drops her haul of shopping bags on the floor—more than I was expecting. “Hey,” she says. “What are you doing?”
“Just changing a light bulb. How was your day? Should I be worried about getting a call from the bank anytime soon?” I wink as I climb down from the ladder.
She chuckles, bending down to take off her shoes. “I don’t think so. I definitely wasn’t a shopaholic in my former life—or a shop assistant, for that matter. Nothing really felt familiar, but I had a good time. Marissa and Beth were really nice, and you were right. It was good to go out and see other people.”
“Glad you enjoyed it. What did you get?” I ask, truly curious about the contents of all those bags—and how she managed to carry them herself.
