Page 59 of Slap Shot Surprise
“Like thirty-five years or something?”
“Wow. That’s incredible. They’re still so in love.”
“Yeah. I used to hate it as a kid. They were so embarrassing. Always touching each other.”
I laughed. “But it’s sweet. I hope I have that someday, don’t you?”
He shrugged. “I haven’t thought about it much.”
I remembered how he’d scoffed at wedding traditions and figured he wasn’t much of a romantic. Funny, given how romantic his parents were.
We got on the highway, and I dozed off, the fatigue of the day settling deep in my bones. Joe had to wake me up. “Hey.” He tapped my leg gently. “Home sweet home.”
“Oh.” I picked up my head, pain shooting through my neck because it had been at an odd angle for over an hour. “God, did I sleep the whole way?”
“Yes.”
“I’m sorry.”
“Don’t worry about it. You need the rest.” He yawned. “And it’s late.”
I checked the clock—it was after eleven. “It is late. I feel bad you have to drive all the way home now. What time is your flight?”
“Six. But I have to return the rental car first.”
“Do you want to stay here? Then just get up early and go?”
He hesitated. “I do have my stuff with me. Do you have an extra bedroom?”
“Yes, but it’s set up as an office right now. My couch is super comfortable, though. I fall asleep on it all the time.”
While he was considering the offer, he yawned again. “Fuck. I didn’t realize how tired I was.”
“Just crash here,” I said, unbuckling my seat belt. “Otherwise I’ll be worried about you on the road tonight, and I won’t sleep, and then you’ll have that on your conscience.”
“Are you sure this doesn’t break any rules?”
“I’m positive. We’re friends, right? And it’s totally cool with me if a friend wants to crash on my couch.” I held up the plastic container Coco had given me. “Especially when that friend’s mom sent me home with cookies.”
He turned off the engine. “Okay. Then I’ll stay.”
We got out of the car, and Joe grabbed his bag from the back seat. My heart, which clearly had not gotten the message that this was a platonic sleepover, sent out frantic beats that pulsed in other places.
My cat greeted us in the front hallway, and Joe knelt down to pet her. “Hi, Cleo.”
“She likes you,” I said as Cleo purred.
“Most girls do.”
I groaned. “That is totally something one of my brothers would say.”
He laughed, his knees cracking as he rose. “Can I use your bathroom real quick?”
“Sure. It’s right in there.” I pointed down the hall. “Clean towels are in the closet if you need one.”
While Joe was in the bathroom, I spread a sheet and blanket on the couch and retrieved a pillow from my bedroom. As I laid it at one end of the couch, I found myself wishing he could just crawl into bed with me.
But I knew what would happen if he did.
