Page 52 of Just My Puck
“Really?” I glance at the blanket like it’s a bomb about to explode, threatening to blow up everything that feels right in my life.
Aria shakes her head and offers asmile. “Yeah, it’s weird. Nothing else comes to mind.”
Before I can respond, my sisters start exchanging gifts, and Aria rises from the couch to grab ours. I follow her, and as we carry the presents back to the coffee table, my hand brushes against hers. It’s the smallest touch—just a graze of our fingers—but I feel it like a jolt of lightning. She doesn’t pull away.
Clearing my throat, I force my attention back on the gift exchange. Owen practically vibrates with excitement as he tears into his gift. “Whoa! Thank you, Uncle Caleb. I love it so much.”
“It’s from Aria too,” I say, nudging her with my elbow. “She even wrapped it.”
She lets out a laugh, shaking her head. But before she can protest, Owen looks up from the shredded wrapping paper with an approving nod. “Nice wrapping.”
Well, would you look at that? My man has manners.
“I can’t wait to show Dad next month!” he says, jumping up and down. “Will you help me build it, Uncle C?”
“You know it.” We bump fists, naturally ending with an explosion.
“I’ll go set it up.” He grabs the model plane box and bolts to the next room.
“Thank you,” Lisa mouths to me, her expression soft. I nod in return. I try to be there for Owen as much as I can. With Jake being in the military, it’s not always easy for their family. Thankfully, he’s coming back soon, and he’ll stick around for a longer period this time.
“Now open yours,” I urge Lisa.
She peels back the paper, and her eyes light up when she sees the tablet. “Your way of getting Owen another gift, huh?”
I smirk. “You’re always complaining that he steals yours. Now he won’t have to.”
Lisa stands up and pulls me into a hug. “That’s very sweet,” she says, then turns to Aria. “And thanks for the wrapping.”
Aria laughs. “Actually, that one was all Caleb. Notice how pretty it is compared to mine.”
Everyone chuckles, and Lisa narrows her eyes at me playfully. “In that case, Aria, thanks for putting such a bright smile on my brother’s face.”
I swallow hard, trying to find the words to refute her accusation, but honestly, she couldn’t be more on point.
“Oh! This looks so delicious,” Gaby says, rummaging through her gift basket.
“See? We do have good food here in the US.” I wink.
She raises a skeptical eyebrow.“Is this a ploy to get me to move back?”
“Maybe.”
“Good thinking, son,” Dad chimes in, making everyone laugh.
Gaby rolls her eyes, but she can’t help but grin. “Come on. You saw how happy I am in Paris. I’m definitely not ready to move back, but I will gladly take all this food back with me.” She pulls the patriotic beanie over her head and beams. “Thanks, guys.”
She hugs me and Aria in turn. “And here is yours,” she says, handing each of us a gift. Mine is a blue sweater, and Aria’s, a pretty dark-red beret.
“Thank you,” Aria beams, clearly not having expected any gifts. “I love it, and it even has the Raptors red.”
“Thanks, sis.” I smile, touching the soft fabric of the sweater.
We continue our gift exchange, and Lisa gives me a build-your-own-Earth-globe kit and Aria a book. My parents pass around gifts as well. Beauty baskets for my sisters and Aria, and a new watch for me.
“I got you a little something too,” I tell Aria, reaching for the last present in the bag. But to my surprise, it’s not the last one. There’s another gift bag at the bottom.
I pull it out, confused.
