Page 123 of 10 Things I Hate About Mistletoe

“See, if that had been you,” Holly said, addressing Declan, “I would have chased you down for being rude, but that is only because I love you and care about what other people think about you.”

“So, Sam can be an ass and get away with it, but I can’t because you love me?” Declan asked.

“Exactly.”

Declan shrugged. “Makes sense.”

“I’m going to hike my butt across the park and settle up with the redhead,” Ryler grumbled.

“Settle up?” Delilah called after her retreating back.

Ryler turned to face her, walking backward. “I may have bet against him and now I have to pay the piper.”

“I’ll see you when I get back,” Delilah said, and Ryler waved in response. Delilah glanced up at Anthony and caught him hiding a frown a second before he forced a smile. She knew that her leaving for the weekend made him nervous, but she was running out of time to figure things out. She had to go now.

“So, what did you think about the games?” Anthony asked.

“Strange but entertaining.”

“I’ll take it,” he said, kissing her. “I’m going to get changed for the hockey game.”

“Okay. There is a storm coming in, so if I have to leave early, I hope you kick ass.”

A shadow crossed Anthony’s face but he nodded. “Drive safe. I love you.” He pulled her in for a tight hug before kissing the top of her head and walking away.

Delilah’s chest tightened at his reaction. “I love you, too.”

Holly placed a hand on her arm, drawing her attention away from his retreating back.

“Do you really have to go to your parents’ tonight?” Holly asked. “I feel like you’re causing yourself more drama and stress by fighting the people who care about you instead of accepting help.”

“My parents care, too. I just want to talk to them before I make any decisions.”

Holly sighed. “Alright, but if you call me tomorrow and tell me you aren’t coming back from Boise, I’m going to kick your ass.”

Delilah hugged her. “I’m hoping to come up with a solution that makes everyone happy.”

“Good luck with that.”

Delilah glanced up at the sky, the darkening clouds making her nervous. “I should get on the road, but I don’t want to miss his game.”

Holly snorted. “It’s just a small-town hockey game, not the NHL Championship. He’ll be fine.”

“Are you sure—”

“I’m sure he’d rather you go down there and get back early than leave late and get stuck in some storm system, scaring the daylights out of all of us.” Holly gave her a gentle shove. “Be safe.”

“I will.”

Delilah crossed the snow-covered park to her car. Once she climbed into the driver’s seat, Delilah called her mom, letting her know that she was on her way. She wasn’t lying when she told Holly the entire point of this trip was so everyone could be happy.

She just hoped that this trip didn’t mean disappointing Anthony twice.

Chapter Thirty-three

Anthony stood in the middle of the ice with his stick in hand, watching Brodie and Nick go head-to-head for the puck. It had been a few years since he’d played a game, but he was ready to dive in and take out his aggression on some of these guys. Again.

He scanned the crowd again, searching for Delilah, but there was no sign of her in the small metal bleachers with Holly and Merry. Anthony knew it was just a stilly scrimmage game, but he hated her making that two-hour trek alone, especially with a storm coming.