Page 37 of Just My Puck
“What’s on your mind?” Caleb asks, catching me staring.
“Nothing.” I shake my head. “Just wondering how I’m going to survive without you this next week.” I chuckle, trying to lighten the mood, but it has the opposite effect.
He scratches his head and twists his mouth to the side. “I’m sorry. I wish it was different, but—”
“I’m kidding, Caleb. You’ve done enough for me already. I don’t want to be even more of a burden than I already am. Besides, the social worker called me to set up our first meeting. I’ll be fine.”
“You’re not a burden. None of this is your fault,” he says, turning back to the skillet to flip the pancakes. “Thankfully, we have Christmas break coming up when we get back.”
“Right. I can’t believe it’s almost Christmas,” I say, my eyes landing on the elegant pine garland decorating the kitchen. “What are your plans?”
“I’m going to my parents’ on Christmas Day. Actually, I was wondering if you wanted to come?” he asks, turning around. His gaze is intense, not unlike yesterday at the bar, and the temperature in the kitchen shoots up.
“Oh, I don’t want to impose.I’m really fine hanging out here.” And it’s true. As much as I would like to spend time with Caleb, and the curious side of me wants to meet his family, I also don’t want to intrude on their Christmas celebration. Not to mention, I’m pretty sure that hanging out by myself was part of my annual holiday routine. I don’t know why, but it’s a feeling I have.
His eyes glimmer with that familiar warmth. “Don’t be silly. I want you there. It’s very low-key, and I’m sure they’ll love you.”
I swallow, looking away. He really wants me there? “Okay, then,” I relent. “Yes, if it’s not too much of an imposition, I’d love to meet your family. I have yet to find one of your flaws. Maybe they can help in that department.”
“Haha, very funny,” he says, sliding the pancakes onto our plates. “But I’ll make sure my parents don’t sit you too close to my sisters, just in case.”
I smile at the thought. “So, are you ready for the away games? How many do you have?”
“Four over the next seven days,” he says, forking a bite of pancake. “It’s going to be grueling, especially since we’re all eager for some time off, but we have to keep our eyes on the prize.”
“Well, I’ll make sure to watch you on TV.” I eat a bite of fluffy pancake. “It was great meeting everyone yesterday. I had a fantastic time, so thanks for bringing me along.”
“Of course,” he says, his eyes lighting up. “They all loved you too. I’m glad you’re getting along with them. They’re like a second family to me. I spend so much time with those guys, we’re practically brothers.”
“You have a solid group, and it shows on the ice.”
We keep chatting about hockey between bites of breakfast, and before I realize it, we’re loading the dishwasher, and it’s time for Caleb to go. He has to stop by Miles and Marissa’s place to fix their leaking shower head before heading to the arena. While he runs upstairs to grab his duffel bag and tools, I retrieve my notebook for my session with Dr. Stuart later today.
“Well, I guess this is it,” he says when he comes back into the living room. “Don’t hesitate to call me if you need anything. And the girls are here for you too, of course.”
“Right.” I shuffle my feet. “Thanks. And I promise I won’t attempt to cook anything. Your house is in good hands.”
“I have no doubt,” he murmurs, his gaze darkening.
I clear my throat. “I’ll be rooting for you. Hope you have an amazing week.”
“Thanks.” He leans forward, taking me in for a long hug. I wrap my arms around him and hold him tight, wishing I could keep him with me. It’s going to be strange, living in his house without him. We linger a little too long on the hug, and I can’t help but wonder what he’s thinking about. Does he feel the same way as me? Like there’s something beyond friendship between us?
“Uh, I gotta go,” he says with an awkward laugh, breaking the embrace.
“Right, sorry.” I avert my gaze, my cheeks burning.
“I still have to go to Miles’ apartment to fix that—”
“Shower head. Yeah, I know. Have fun, and we’ll talk soon,” I say with a nod.
His eyes trap me. “See you soon, Aria.”
After one final glance, he strides out of the living room, grabs his bags in the foyer, and walks out the door. As soon as it closes behind him, I feel a weird ache in my chest, already missing him. It makes sense, since he’s been my anchor in this turbulent and scary storm. But I have to learn to be by myself. Because in a way, I’m just another thing he has to fix. Like Miles’ shower head. Oddly enough, that doesn’t really bother me. Who wouldn’t want to be fixed by Caleb? Then, my heart clenches. What will happen once I’m all better? I’m just a temporary project, after all.
17
"I wonder if I’ve always been like that, or if this is a Caleb-induced condition."
