Page 86 of Securing the Pucking Rebound

I’m in desperate need to readjust myself. I’m wearing sweats that leave very little to the imagination. Did I select them on purpose before coming down here? Maaaybe.

My hand twitches at my side, but I know I can’t do anything until she turns around. I refuse to scare her as I did earlier, even if it kills me. And honestly, it might just.

“Calvin?” she prompts, her eyes boring into mine.

“Huh?” I grunt ineloquently.

“I was asking about your holiday plans. You never said if you were going to see family or⁠—”

I want to lie, just like I do to almost everyone else in my life. “Oh, no. I’m…uh…I’m staying here.”

“Celebrating with the guys?”

“Um…”

Sienna frowns at me.

“Don’t tell me that you’re planning on spending it alone?”

“Why? Would you stay and keep me company if I said yes?”

Guilt darkens her eyes.

“I’m joking. I wouldn’t even suggest you did.”

Silence falls between us, my stomach twisting with dread because I know that she’s not going to let this family thing go that easily.

“Why don’t you go home?” And there it is.

“My parents and I don’t really see eye to eye.”

“Why?” she asks, adding more and more things to her suitcase until I’m sure it isn’t going to close.

She knows she’s only going for four days, right?

“They’re kinda traditional, and they expected me to follow in the family business. Becoming a professional athlete wasn’t on their bingo card for me.”

A deep frown forms on her forehead.

“They haven’t supported you?”

“They did what they had to do when I was a child with a hobby. But as I got better and my hobby started getting bigger and bigger, they started resenting it and me.” I don’t know where those words come from. I have never spoken them aloud to another living person, ever. But just like everything else with Sienna, they spill freely.

“That’s bullshit,” she snaps.

“I think that’s my line,” I tease, trying to lighten things.

“But you’re amazing. Everything you’ve achieved has been incredible. They should be so proud of you and your career.”

“Yeah, well, people should do all kinds of things, but that doesn’t mean they do,” I mutter, hating the bitterness in my tone.

“Do you have any siblings?”

“Yeah, two little sisters.”

“And what do they think?”

“They think I’m selfish because my leaving meant they couldn’t.”