Page 252 of Securing the Pucking Rebound

I want to do a full circle. I want to take her out to that field we spent so much time in and watch as the sun sets and the stars twinkle to life.

“Yeah,” I agree.

“I’ll support you either way, but if you ever want to go, I’ll be right there with you. They’re your family, so you take the lead.”

I roll onto my side so we’re face-to-face before reaching out and cupping her cheek.

“Have I told you today how incredible you are?”

“Umm…I’m not sure you have,” she teases.

“Well, just to clear that up—you’re incredible, and I love you so much.”

A wide smile spreads across her face. “I love you, too. And no matter what happens with your family, you’ll always have a place in mine. They love you, and not because you’re Calvin Keller, but because you’re you,” she says, wrapping her hand around the back of my neck and tugging me closer. “Because you’re mine.”

“I’ve always been yours, darlin’. And I always will be.”

69

SIENNA

The next day, I’m back at the airport and doing the thing that I dread the most about visiting my parents.

Saying goodbye.

Only this time, I’m not about to get on a plane alone. No. I’ve got my most favorite person beside me. And not only that, but he’s upgraded my ticket, so we get to fly home together, and we’re doing it in style.

Dating a professional hockey player sure does have its perks.

“I can’t believe you’re leaving already,” Mom says, opening her arms for me.

I step into her hug, desperately trying to swallow the emotion that’s clogging my throat.

I don’t want to cry because it’ll trigger Mom to do the same, and I hate making her sad. Our bedrooms are enough evidence of how much she misses us when we’re away. At least she has a couple of extra days with Garrett as he isn’t heading home until the new year. I wish I could do the same, but work is calling. While I might not be ready for the break and time with my parents and Calvin to be over, the few days off were exactly what I needed, and I’m excited to get back in the salon. I love my job and my colleagues so much. I’ve also missed Bea, and I want to know if all her complaining about how much she’s grown in just a few days was actually for a reason. According to her, she’s ‘ballooned,’ and it has nothing to do with all the food she’s eaten. I’m not sure I believe her.

“I know,” I whimper as I breathe in the sweet, comforting scent of my mom’s perfume.

This time is worse than Thanksgiving because I don’t know when I’ll see them again. At least then, we still had Christmas to look forward to.

“We’ll see you soon, yeah?”

I sniffle, my emotions getting the better of me like they always do.

“Yeah.”

“We’ll come to LA,” she promises before handing me off to my dad, who was chatting with Calvin while Mom and I had our moment.

By the time I pull back from his comforting hold, I lose the battle with my tears, as does Mom.

“Every time,” Dad teases, pulling Mom into his side and kissing the top of her head. Calvin does the same to me. It makes me think of all the times I’ve stood here alone, watching my parents together, wishing I could have the kind of relationship that endures the years as they have.

Have I found it with Calvin? Fuck. I hope so.

“We should go,” Calvin says reluctantly.

“Yeah, I know,” I whisper.

“Message us when you land?” Mom asks.