Page 143 of Puck Me Back to Life

It's one-thirty in the afternoon.

The man looks like he hasn't slept in a week. Considering yesterday, he probably hasn't.

I leave him where he is for a second while I climb out and walk around to the back of the truck. Before we'd left his apartment this morning, I'd quietly packed an overnight bag for him. Just in case.

Fresh clothes. His phone charger. His toothbrush. A hoodie I knew he'd want later when he inevitably got cold. He hadn't noticed or maybe he had and decided not to mention it.

Either way, the bag is waiting in the back seat next to my hockey gear.

When I open the passenger door, Kai is already trying to sit up. His eyes are only half open.

“Anyone home?” I ask.

He nods once. “I think so.”

“You think so?”

He rubs one eye. He gives me a sleepy little smile that nearly finishes me off.

He's going to kill me one day without even trying.

I shoulder both bags before holding my free hand out. “Come on.”

Kai slips his hand into mine without hesitation. He's still half asleep as we walk toward the elevator, shuffling beside me with absolutely no concern for where we're going because apparently he's decided that following me requires no thought whatsoever.

My heart does something deeply inconvenient.

The elevator doors slide open. Kai leans against the mirrored wall almost immediately.

His eyes drift shut again.

“You awake?”

“Mhm.”

“Liar.”

“Mhm.”

I laugh quietly.

“You've got about three functioning brain cells left.”

“I only use two most days.”

“I've noticed.”

The elevator dings. Kai startles slightly, like he'd forgotten we were moving. I guide him out with a gentle hand against his lower back.

By the time we reach my condo, he's practically swaying on his feet.

“You don't have to ask,” I tell him as I unlock the door.

“What?”

“Permission to take a nap.”

He blinks. “Oh.”