Page 98 of Securing the Pucking Rebound

“I can’t wait for you to find someone who’s willing to put up with you for more than a night. I’m going to annoy the shit out of you.”

“No cursing at the table, please,” Mom says under her breath. “Garrett, what are you thankful for?”

“Well, obviously my wonderful parents and my delightful sister.” I poke my tongue out at him.

“You love me, really.”

“I do,” he says. “And I’m incredibly thankful for you, especially now that you’re friends with the Vipers and I get to hang out with them.”

“About that…I’m still waiting to hear your suspicion about which member of the team is gay,” I remind him. I’ve asked a couple of times since our night out with the guys, and he’s still withholding the information.

He snickers. “Let’s make a deal: you tell me about your man, and I’ll tell you who I think is secretly scoring in the other goal.”

“Can we just eat now?” Dad complains, looking at the food on his plate longingly.

“Yes,” Garrett agrees before grabbing his knife and fork and inhaling his dinner with the kind of enthusiasm I’m becoming used to seeing from Calvin.

Although I also pick up cutlery, I don’t immediately dive in; my mind is on that message sitting unread on my cell. My stomach knots as I think about him being mad at me. I didn’t mean to interfere, but the thought of him sitting alone in his apartment today just didn’t sit right with me. Not when he’s got friends close by that would do anything for him.

I’m not sure why he’s kept his holiday plans from his friends, and I know it’s not my place to get involved, but I had a feeling that they’d have been as upset as me at the thought of him being alone today.

I just pray he sees it that way.

It feels like hours pass before we finish up our meal and I’m finally allowed my cell.

Garrett is busy complaining about me bailing on the cleaning up, but I don’t care. I’ll do all of it alone if I get a few seconds to check this message.

I swipe my thumb across the screen.

All the air rushes from my lungs as I stare down at the two words.

Calvin King of the ice Keller: Thank you

29

CALVIN

When it first occurred to me why Linc and Rett were standing at my door on Thanksgiving morning, I was a little irritated.

But then they made themselves comfortable, letting me know that refusing wasn’t an option, and I realized that I wasn’t pissed at all. Just thankful. For them, and for Sienna, who clearly set this whole thing up.

Recently, I’ve had all kinds of thoughts and fears ruling me. I’ve flip-flopped back and forth between being confident that the Vipers organization wants me around, as well as whether my friends here are friends of convenience or if our connections run deeper. But them turning up today when I needed them…yeah, I’m definitely leaning more toward the real friendship.

And the reason for that epiphany…Sienna.

I might not be a fan of the fact that she obviously went behind my back and told them about my plans today. But they listened, and they did something about it. They made space in their plans for me and were unwilling to take no for an answer.

As I sat in the back of Linc’s car, listening to the two of them bicker like an old married couple, there were only two words that really needed saying.

Thank you.

I sent that message well over an hour ago, but every time I check my cell, it shows the same thing. Delivered but unread.

I know she’ll be busy with her family doing all the traditions she’s happily told me about, but that doesn’t stop my impatience.

But despite my desperation to feel my cell buzz in my pocket, I’ve got the best kind of distraction around me.

We’re at Linc’s apartment, where Rett’s mom is cooking up a storm in the kitchen with help from Parker and Bea.