I hold my coat in my hands, running my fingers over the small smudge of makeup on the black fabric collar and wishing she kept it.
Chapter 13 -Matty
“Merry Christmas Eve!” Allison says to us and gives us each a hug and kiss on the cheek.
I smile at her. She always smells good and has pretty hair. Huddy and I do our handshake that his Uncle Ronan helped us make up yesterday.
We jump into the backseat while Dad opens Allison’s door for her.
They smile at each other a lot.
“When we get there, we need to get Op number two in motion.” Huddy whispers. He really likes playing spies.
“What could we possibly do at the lake? We are just skating.”
“Make them hold hands, duh!” Huddy shakes his head at me.
“Maybe that will be easy if your mom is bad at skating.” I shrug my shoulders.
It’s hard to help grownups fall in love, especially when they’re as difficult as our parents.
They didn’t win a single game together yesterday. Dad invited some of the people there to come today.
Mr King is coming, too. I’m excited because he told us he’s on our side and will try to help us. He also said we could be brothers even if they don’t get married.
I don’t think he understands how being a family works though.
Allison puts on Christmas music for the drive. I think this is the only music she listens to. At least she’s a good singer. We all sing along with her until wefinallypull up the lake.
There are already some people there playing hockey and doing twirls.
Hudson and I run over and get our skates tied tight so we can join.
“Hey, kiddos. Why don’t you both be team captains?” Mr Jordan says.
“Do we get to pick teams?”
“Sure thing, Matty.”
“I pick Tate.” Huddy shouts. My dad is a really good hockey player, and he always steals the puck from the other team.
“I pick Allison!” I say. We can win if Dad doesn’t want to hurt her feelings.
“Oh, you know what you’re doing don’t ya?” Ronan laughs loudly. “Playing on his weaknesses? I’ll let you in on a secret though, Alli played college hockey. She’s good.”
“Really?” I look back at her, surprised. She’s so nice. How did she check people on the boards and steal the puck?
“I bet your dad is in for a surprise.” Mr King chuckles, spinning his hockey stick.
“I choose Uncle Ronan.” Huddy decides. Game on.
“Mr King.”
“Fitz.” Huddy narrows his eyes.
“Ripley.”
“Aunt Emalyn.”
