Page 40 of Saving You

Charlie cheers loudly for Caleb every time he’s on the ice. Near the end of the second period, he goes on what Liv says is called a breakaway towards the other team’s goal. He fakes a pass across the ice to the left, sending the goalie following the movement, and then he shoots into the top corner. I jump and cheer as he skates towards where we’re sitting and points at me, mouthing,for you.

I sit back down, and Liv bumps my shoulder.

“That means something,” she whispers.

I look at her, not sure how that could mean something. She must be able to read the question on my face because she says, “In high school, the guys would point to whoever they were trying to impress, and it usually meant nothing. Then, as the guys got older, they didn’t do it anymore, but Josh did it for me when we started dating. No one knew we were seeing each other. That was the first time I had seen him do it. I watched his college games sometimes, and he never did it during those.” She analyzes my expression as her eyes bounce around my face. She smiles softly. “It’s a good thing, babe. It’s definitely a good thing.”

I spend the third period absorbing her words. When the game horn buzzes, the score is 4-3, and Caleb’s team wins. The guys come off the ice, and I watch as Josh and Caleb make their way to us. When Caleb’s close, Charlie runs to him. He picks her up, and she wraps her legs around his middle.

“You won!” she calls as she jumps in his arms.

He smiles at her. “We did.”

Caleb puts her down, and she joins Liv and Josh while he makes his way to me. I stand and smile at him. He smiles back before bending and placing a kiss on my lips. Despite how PG the kiss is, the effect is the complete opposite. It leaves me wanting more. I want to wrap my arms around him, pull him in, and taste his mouth. But I don’t.

“I think I need a kiss before every game to make sure we win,” he says with a grin.

I bat my lashes up at him. “We’ll see.” I rise on my tiptoes and whisper in his ear, “You’ll have to be a good boy to make sure.”

He groans, leaning his forehead on my shoulder and gripping my hips, giving thema squeeze. “Woman, you’re killing me.”

When he lifts his head, I take a step back, hoping the distance will prevent me from doing something I shouldn’t.

“I, uh, should take Charlie home. I have to get dinner ready and get her ready for school tomorrow.”

His eyes search mine. Apparently finding what he’s looking for, he nods and says, “One more kiss for the road?”

I smile and wrap my arms around his neck, going up on my toes to kiss him. His arms wrap around me, and his hand finds my ass, squeezing it. This second kiss begins to cross the line of PG as he licks at my lips before giving them a nip. A throat clearing behind Caleb has us tearing apart.

“As much as I’m greatly enjoying the show,” Grayson says grinning at us, “But, I’m not sure how much longer Liv is going to be able to distract Charlie. I think Liv has started her ‘I gotta pee’ dance.”

I turn and look over my shoulder and see Liv bouncing from foot to foot, and yup, I remember doing that dance.

“Charlie, say your goodbyes. It’s time to head home.”

“But, Mommy, I want to spend more time with Aunty Liv,” she calls.

“I know, but you’ll see them soon. Let’s get you home and fed so we can go to bed.”

She gives me a pouty face. I know how much she wants to stay. Caleb squats down.

“Come here, Little Bear.”

She walks right into his arms and hugs him. He whispers something to her, and she nods against his shoulder. When they pull apart, Charlie walks up to Olivia and hugs her before meeting me and taking my hand. I mouth a silentThank youto Caleb before calling and waving my goodbyes.

Over the next few weeks, Caleb and I text daily. He checks in with me. He asks about Charlie and her school. He invites us to his games. And with Olivia also asking us to go, I can’t say no. I can’t stay away from this man for some reason. I thank my lucky stars that I don’t hear from Derek. I’m not going to actively seek him out about his visitations with Charlie because I’m not sure what I’m going to do when I’m forced to see him again. Caleb has been my rock, and that scares the crap out of me. The last time I leaned on a man this much, it didn’t turn out well.

Charlie loves seeing Liv and Caleb and going to all these games. She has this new support system of people who genuinely care about her, and it feels as though a weight has been lifted off my shoulders. I’m just not sure how long this peaceful feeling in my life will last.

CHAPTER 15

Caleb

Having Bailey and Charlie at my games over the last few weeks and talking to Bailey has provided a levity in my life I didn’t know I needed. The stress from work falls aways when I’m with them. I’m mentally present with them too. My mind doesn’t wander the way it does in other situations. I don’t sit at home and allow my thoughts to wander to the what-if places they tend to go. I feel like I’m more myself, like the me before my last tour.

I shower and change relatively quickly after the game. I want to make it home to take Finn for a decent walk tonight.

“You down for a beer?” Grayson asks as I shoulder my bag.

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