Page 50 of Just My Puck
I nod, stepping back. “Yeah. See you.”
She slips inside her room, and I let out a slow breath, dragging a hand through my hair. Trying to ignore the whirlwind of emotions warring in my chest, I force myself up the stairs to my own room.
21
“Finally, some indication that my baby bro has an interest in the opposite sex.”
Aria
Yesterday was one of the best days of my life. Sure, I don’t have a lot to compare it to, but somehow, I feel it’s true. Being with Caleb is always so easy, so comfortable. Except maybe for that goodbye last night in front of my room. That was . . . awkward. And we never do awkward. My crush on him might be messing with my head, but for an instant, I thought those feelings were mutual.
We’re on our way tohis parents’ house for Christmas lunch, and I’m getting more nervous by the mile. What if his family hates me? I’m just the weird girl with no memory who moved in with Caleb. That probably raised some red flags, especially since he’s a wealthy, famous athlete.
“It’s going to be all right,” Caleb says, glancing down at my knee, which has been bouncing for the last twenty minutes. “I promise. My family is chill. Well, my mom can be a little over the top—Italian genes and all. But she’s the kindest person you’ll ever meet.”
I nod, peering out the window. “Right, yeah. It’s a little nerve-wracking, that’s all.”
“I get it. You’re meeting the in-laws, so to speak, and even if we’re not actually dating, it feels like a big step,” he blurts out.
“Definitely,” I say, swallowing hard as I try to prevent the word “dating” from echoing in my head. But since I have zero control over my brain, it goes ahead and fixates on the word anyway.
He takes an exit into bottlenecked traffic, and we drive for another thirty minutes before we finally reach a residential area with rows of gorgeous houses.
“Wow, it’s beautiful out here. Is this where you grew up?”
“No,” he responds, parking infront of a large house with perfectly trimmed hedges, which glimmer under a cascade of Christmas lights. “Not far from here, though. When I got my first big NHL contract, I helped pay for the construction of this house, and helped my dad build it. My way of thanking them for all the sacrifices they made over the years.” He gives a small shrug. “That’s actually why I’m on a present ban for the rest of my life.”
“Wow, you built ahouse? That’s amazing! I knew you were talented at LEGO, but an actual house, now that’s another story. And it’s a very kind thing to do.” It also doesn’t surprise me. Ever since the minute I met Caleb, “kind” has been the first adjective I associated with him. Okay, “super hot” too.
We grab the gifts from the trunk, and as we walk toward the front door, I take in the decorations again. Twinkling white lights drape from the tall columns, a massive wreath hangs on the door, and two nutcracker statues stand guard on the porch, their painted faces illuminated by the filtered sunlight peeking through the clouds.
Caleb rings the doorbell, and the door opens almost immediately.
“There they are!” says a tall woman with long black hair and walnut eyes. Her smile is warm and reminds me so much of Caleb’s.
“Hey, Mom,” he says, drawing her into a hug. He shoots me a glance. “Mom, this is Aria. Aria, this is my mom, Irene.”
“Nice to meet you,” I say, extending my hand, but she ignores it and takes me into her arms. Her perfume is a little dizzying, but her hug is amazing, and I linger there for just a second longer.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you too,” she says, breaking the embrace. She then rakes her eyes over the little black dress I’m wearing. “Caleb wasn’t lying. You’re exquisite.”
I can practically feel my cheeks bursting into flames. He told his mom I was pretty?
“Mom,” Caleb warns, his tone low. “Aria is just a friend, remember?”
She simply ignores him and invites us to take our coats off. Then, we follow her to the large family room, the space beautifully decorated with garlands of fresh pine draped over the fireplace and a towering Christmas tree adorned with ornaments and white lights. A fire crackles in the hearth, casting a cozy glow over the plush sofas and festive throw pillows. I’ve barely taken two steps in the room before I’m sneezing like a walrus.
Two younger women are already lounging on the couch, and they stop chatting the second they see us come in.
“Hey, you two,” Caleb says, walking toward them as they stand up. “How are you?”
He hugs them each in turn, and I can’t help but notice the family resemblance. A particularly good-looking family, with dark, smoldering eyes, flawless skin, and glossy hair.
“This is my friend, Aria. Aria, meet Gaby and Lisa.”
I cover up another sneeze. “Sorry. Nice to meet you.”
“It’s so nice to meetyou,” Lisa says, shaking my hand vigorously. “Finally, some indication that my baby bro has an interest in the opposite sex.”
