Page 105 of Securing the Pucking Rebound

“What was that, Whirlwind?” Cole growls.

“I said that I love watching you dance. You have the rhythm of an angel.” The faux innocence in her tone makes everyone laugh.

For a minute or two, we keep Bea and Calvin on the screen, not that I’m complaining one little bit. I’d happily look at him for the rest of the night, and something tells me that my brother would too, given the chance.

But then, all of a sudden, they’re done, and we get to see the entire room and everyone in it.

There’s a chorus of hellos as we must appear somewhere. A computer, maybe, considering they must be using the TV for the game.

“Hey, you guys wanna stop that movie and watch the Vipers play on a dance mat?” Garrett asks our parents hopefully. “I feel we need a better view.”

And that is how we end up watching Cole and Everett jump around on the screen. Cole is amazingly agile, but Everett could use some practice. He actually falls over at one point, causing an eruption of laughter from both ends of the screen.

I clutch my stomach, laughing so hard tears spring from my eyes as we watch Cole and Hayden take to the mat for the men’s final.

“You know the only reason you’re up there right now is because I’m injured, right?” Calvin taunts Cole. “We all know I’m the king of the mat.”

“Uh…I don’t remember your name being at the top of the leaderboard like…ever,” Hayden taunts.

“Pfft, we all know I was letting you win for fear you’d have a temper tantrum.”

“Fuck you, Killer.” Hayden flips him off.

“You’ve got this, baby,” Hailee calls. “You’ll always be a winner to me.”

The chirping continues until they’re ready to compete, and then a hush falls over the room.

“Three, two, one,” they all chant together. “Goooo.”

Hayden and Cole launch into action.

They are shockingly good, both of them hitting almost every move.

As the game continues, the cheering and laughter get louder, and we’re no different. All four of us have wide smiles on our faces as we wait to see who’s going to be crowned as the Thanksgiving dance mat champion.

The song comes to an end, and cheers erupt when Hayden retains his place at the top.

Hailee jumps into his arms, kissing him as if he’s not fighting to catch his breath, while Freya runs into Cole’s arms to commiserate with him.

We stayed on the call with them for a couple of hours in the end, and while it might have delayed the four of us pulling out the board games, I can’t remember the last time we all laughed that hard.

The living room feels incredibly empty and quiet when we finally end the call.

“Game time?” Mom asks, hopping to her feet as my cell buzzes in my hand.

Suspecting I know who it is, I twist away from Garrett slightly to read it.

Calvin King of the ice Keller: Do I get to get you alone on a call now?

Sienna: Are you home already?

Calvin King of the ice Keller: No, but I can go and hide somewhere if it means I get you all to myself.

My heart skips a beat as I read his words.

“Ugh, the sappy smile is back,” Garrett complains.

“Oh, shut it. You’re just jealous.”