Dad: Excited to have you home
Me: Love you both
I’ve always loved Christmas, but I’m more excited to go home for a few days. It’ll be good to get away from campus and hockey for a little bit. Time to get some perspective and focus back that I’ve lost over the last few months. Luke makes it hard to think straight, and I’ve gone from always feeling like the rational, practical friend, to the one who is constantly thinking about a man who I for one, can’t have, and two, doesn’t even want me.
23
Luke
Sebastian and I skate side by side, making slow, lazy laps around the rink. Kids race one another, and parents watch from the sidelines, happy to have a reprieve from entertaining them for the day. When Alice first told me about the family skate event, I wasn’t super pleased about having to attend. Social gatherings aren’t necessarily my strong suit.
But so far, people have been friendly and given me space. None of the dads have approached to talk about my glory days, and I have to admit, the kids are pretty entertaining to watch.
“What’s Sierra up to today?” I ask my brother.
“She has book club.”
“All day?”
He shakes his head with a heavy sigh. “They make it an all day thing, man. They do games, make themed food, it’s a whole production.”
I snort but can totally picture Sierra eating that shit up. “Well, it was nice of you to still come. I appreciate it.”
He smiles at me, and in a flash, all I can see is our mother in his smile. She always smiled like that. Unabashed, with her entire face. Maybe it’s the charity gala tonight that’s bringing more memories of her to the surface.
“Of course,” Sebastian says. “It’s nice to see some of my boys here, too.” A few of Seb’s students and players are circling the ice as well, helping some of the younger kids along.
Alice waves as we pass her by. She and Jenna stopped over to say hi when we first arrived but have since been making the rounds and chatting with the attendees. Jenna has kept our interactions to a minimum since I made it clear that she was never going to get anything besides a professional relationship out of me. But she’s a good coach, and Alice respects her opinion, so we keep it cordial. Plus in these sorts of situations where we’re supposed to connect with the community, she’s a good representative.
“Hey, Coach!”
Both Seb and I turn our heads, but it’s a feminine voice, so instantly I know it’s one of my athletes. However, by the higher pitch, I know it’s not the one I find myself hearing in my head over and over.
I wave at Aubrey and signal for Seb to hold up. “Hey,” I answer as we pause by the boards. “Aubrey, this is my brother, Sebastian. Sebastian, this is Aubrey, our center on the first line.”
Sebastian extends his hand. “Nice to meet you.”
“You too.”
“Have a good Christmas?” I ask her.
“It was great,” she says as she fiddles with her long hair down her shoulder. “Kinda sucked to cut it short to come back for this, but I’m headed home as soon as the gala is done tonight.”
Kinda suckedto have the honor to be only one of two athletes chosen to be here? I bite my tongue, not engaging.
Especially not as Lennon walks up to the boards and stops beside Aubrey. Her hair falls in loose curls, and her hazel eyes instantly falter when she notices me.
“Hey,” Aubrey says and steps to the side to make more room for her. “Ready to go?”
Lennon nods and wrings her hands. Her nails are painted a deep crimson, and I don’t know why I’m suddenly noticing details like that.
Sebastian raises his brow at me, as if waiting for something.
“Seb, this is Lennon,” I say and clear my throat when the words sound garbled. “Lennon, this is my brother.”
“Ahh.” He grins and again offers her his hand. “It’s great to finally meet you. I wanted an introduction after the last game, but this one ushered us out before we could.”
Lennon winces and plays with the string of her Haulton sweatshirt. “It’s nice to meet you, as well. Sorry about that.”
