Page 45 of Just My Puck
Caleb Hawthorne
I’ve never been this eager to come home from a road trip. Usually, I don’t really care whether I’m here or on the road. But with the holidays coming up, and the prospect of spending time with Aria and my family, I'm the first one off the bus.
I say goodbye to the guys and wish them all a Merry Christmas. Then I hop into my car and drive home.
I crack open my front door, inhaling deeply.It’s funny how the smell of my house has changed since Aria moved in, yet it’s never smelled more like home.
“There you are!” she exclaims, crossing the living room from the kitchen. Her face is relaxed and happy, and—wait. There’s something different about her.
“Your hair,” I whisper, my jaw dropping. Aria got a new haircut, and she looks spectacular.
Her long brown hair still cascades past her shoulders, but it has a new life to it. The fresh cut gives it a natural bounce, and the wispy bangs frame her face perfectly, highlighting her eyes. She was pretty before, but this hairstyle suits her even more. “It’s—wow. You look amazing.”
A deep pink blush coats her cheeks. “Thank you,” she says, pressing her lips together. “I feel like it’s more me, you know?”
“I love it,” I murmur, unable to take my eyes off her.
We stare at each other for a few seconds, and a warm energy crackles between us. It takes a lot of willpower on my end to refrain from kissing her. I don’t know what’s happening to me, but coming home to Aria feels so right. I missed her more than I ever imagined I could, and right now, I just want to be near her.
She sways on her feet. “Well, welcome back.”
“Thanks.” I drop my bag on the floor. “How was therapy?”
She smiles. “It seems to be helping. Like yesterday, I was at the salon with the girls—my makeover is all thanks to them, by the way—and the hairdresser smelled like lily. The entire time I was there, I felt something familiar, comforting. I even heard a child’s laugh, even though no one was there.” She hesitates, pressing her lips. “I know it’s weird. But I feel I have a connection to that scent, somehow.”
“Wow,” I say. “That’s great.” But it also stings a little, I’m not going to lie. Just when Aria is fitting so well into my life, I’m reminded she can leave at any time.
“I know.” She beams, and I feel like a horrible person for not being happier for her. Of course she deserves to remember. Even if she walks away from me as a result. “Dr. Stuart says it’s incredible progress, and he encouraged me to smell it more. I’ll try to find something with that scent after Christmas.”
“Actually, I need to do some Christmas shopping today, so we could hunt for that as well.”
“Oh, perfect.” She clasps her hands. “Speaking of, I was wondering what to bring to your family.”
“You don’t have to bring anything. My gifts will be from the both of us.” I smile. “But you can help me pick them out.”
“Okay. But does that mean you haven’t bought anything yet? It’s kind of last minute,” she says with a chuckle. “When I went shopping yesterday with the girls, it was mayhem. I can’t even imagine what it’ll be like on Christmas Eve.”
“I’m a man. I procrastinate my shopping.” I shrug. “And it’ll be fine. I always operate like this. I did already get a model plane for my nephew. My sister sent me what he wanted, and I ordered it. I just need to wrap it. Also, I’m not buying anything for my parents, because they’ll smack me if I do. But I definitely have to find gifts for my sisters. They’ll smack me if I don’t,” I say with a small laugh.
“Right.” She grins. “Any ideas?”
“My older sister, Lisa, always has to fight her son for her tablet, so I might just buy her a new one. And for my youngest sister, Gaby, I was thinking a big, fat box of US specialty food, since she lives in France now and won’t stop raving about how delicious everything is. You know, a little something to remind her what we have here in the States.” I run a hand through my hair. “That’s why I didn’t order it online. Need to find the good stuff.”
“All great ideas.” She nods,pulling at the sleeves of her sweater. “Oh, by the way, you never told me about the Polar Plunge you guys are doing after Christmas. That’s insane!”
“I know.” I laugh, shivering just thinking about it. “Jumping into ice-cold water is going to be brutal, but it’s for charity. Do you want to come?”
“Um, absolutely,” she says with a laugh. “There’s no way I’m missing that. And right afterward, we’ll have my birthday party to warm everyone up.”
“Wait, you remember your birthday?” My pulse quickens.
“No, but the girls unanimously decided it was yesterday so they could treat me to a new haircut and some clothes, and since you guys weren’t back yet, and we have Christmas coming up, they decided to throw a party the day after.”
I can’t help but smile. “Sounds perfect.”
And I truly mean it. I can’t think of a better way to spend my evening after a grueling and freezing day at the beach than celebrating Aria. She deserves a birthday party to remember, and I’ll make sure she gets it.
After stopping by the electronicsstore to buy a tablet for Lisa, we stroll leisurely to the Christmas market nearby. The nostalgic aromas of eggnog and mulled wine weave together in the air. Shoppers are laughing and chatting as they huddle in their puffy coats, the glow of twinkling Christmas lights reflecting in their eyes.
