Page 35 of Home for the Hockey-Days

“White chocolate cinnamon chai latte.” He turns on the ignition and pulls away from the curb. “And anywhere that isn’t here.” The edge to his voice confirms he heard what was happening behind my front door when he arrived. “Have you eaten?”

I shake my head, and my stomach rumbles again. Twenty minutes later, we’ve had drive thru for dinner, we’ve refilled our hot drinks from Bitches Brew, and we’re back in the car driving around the neighborhoods of Cedar Rapids to see the Christmas lights.

And still, August hasn’t brought up my parents. Not even once. In fact, we haven’t talked much at all. It’s not an uncomfortable silence, it’s the kind of silence that doesn’tneedto befilled by conversation. Christmas music plays faintly on the radio as we drive.

The twinkly Christmas lights and the bite in the air combined with the warmth of the hot cocoa in our paper cupsfinallymakes it feel like Christmas.

“How did you know where I live?” I slurp at the tiny marshmallows on top of my hot chocolate. Taryn didn’t even bother to put the lid on, she knows I love extra marshmallows on top of my cocoa.

August doesn’t turn his head to me as he navigates the snowy streets. “I asked the twins if they could help me find you, and loan me a car to come see you.” He turns to me briefly. “I needed to see you.”

Something flutters in my chest. “You did?”

He nods. “I was having food with a friend.” He shrugs. “He told me to get over myself and my hang-ups and not fuck up my shot at being with you if that’s what I want to do.”

“Is that what you want to do?” My voice is breathy and comes out on a puff of steam.

He grunts.

“Is that a yes?”

He rolls his eyes. “I’m here aren’t I?”

“You suck at asking someone out.”

The corner of his mouth twitches as we wait at a red light. “I suck at a lot of things. But I’m willing to try to be better.” He reaches across and picks up my hand, sliding his into mine and resting it on my thigh. “What do you say?”

“To what?” I’m not letting him off the hook that easily.

He groans. “Date me? Be my girlfriend? I don’t know what the cool kids call it these days. You and me, in a relationship.” His exasperation makes me laugh.

“I’d like that.”

His shoulders loosen like they were holding tension, and he breathes out a long, slow breath.

He pulls into a parking lot next to the city’s Christmas tree, it’s like he can tell I’m not ready to go home. The streets are bustling with people, arms laden with bags of last minute gift purchases, and a small choir sings Christmas songs next to a replica of the Christmas story. Someone has placed a minion in the manger and seemingly stolen the baby Jesus.

“You want to talk about it?” His fingers skim over my cheek. “I’m here if you do.”

I stare out the window at the flurries of snowflakes still falling before shaking my head. “Not yet.” I squeeze his hand. “Thanks, but I’m not ready to share that. I will though. Just... let me have tonight.”

CHAPTER 16

August

Ihad no choice but to take Rowan back to Mom’s. There was no fucking way I was taking her back to her parents. Rowan had asked for time, but on our way back to my Mom’s place, she told me about her home life.

I had thought she was a spoiled little rich girl, when in fact, her family is every bit as fucked up as my own. Maybe even more.

My stomach cramps as I lead her down the street to my childhood home, mostly because I’d misjudged her. I guess we really don’t know what someone’s going through in their life unless we walk a mile in their shoes. I make a mental note to apologize to the de la Peñas for being a prick as well.

God only knows what they have to endure under the guise of being a well put together family under the public eye.

“It’s not much.” I squeeze her hand. “But I couldn’t leave Mom alone on Christmas Eve and take you somewhere else.”

She rolls her eyes. “I don’t care. I just don’t want to go home. Plus, I’d like to meet the woman who raised you to be such a pain in the ass.” I shove him playfully, but his face remains stern.

She picks up the flowers on her lap. “Grab the wine and cupcakes from the trunk. Hopefully she won’t be too upset I crashed her family Christmas.”

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