Page 63 of Pucked Up Plans
CHAPTER 16
TATE
It’s almost two weeks until I see Walsh again for a significant amount of time.
The first week, their house came down with some nasty bug. He sent a dozen “I’m dying” texts in three days. I dropped off some chicken soup and a few other groceries on their front porch. When he opened the door to retrieve the items, he legit looked like he could be dying. I felt a little guilty for thinking he was making it up. Thank goodness I never mentioned it to him. It was easier to justify in my mind.
Aubrey and I stayed healthy despite being at their house, which I’m grateful for.
He was busy with hockey the next week so Megan or Millie picked up Lennon from school.
To occupy my time, I put in way more hours at work than normal. I started and abandoned five different books, none of them keeping my attention beyond chapter two. I deep cleaned the condo. Twice. We spent a lot of time at Aunt Marsha’s house, planning the menu for Thanksgiving, Googling recipes, making grocery lists for her to shop, and just catching up. I left Aubrey for an hour each time to ease her into getting used to another adult. Just like at Walsh’s, Aubrey enjoyed her visit.
Aubrey’s invited to a Friendsgiving tomorrow at her friend Callen’s house. According to her, he’s not really her friend. The entire class is invited, as well as their families. Must be nice to have a house big enough to host so many people.
I’m not dreading it only because Walsh will be there. His game this weekend is on Sunday. He keeps hinting I should come see him play. Since it’s an away game, it was an easy excuse to say no.
While I want to see him in action playing the sport he loves—what’s not to like about sexiness and athleticism all wrapped up in a hunky body—I know nothing about hockey beyond they wear skates, play in a frigid ice rink, and shoot pucks around to score goals.
Oh, and they fight like toddlers.
Yeah, not high on my priority list.
I’ve spent today going through a difficult amount of dictation. One was an hours-long surgery. The dictation didn’t last that long, but the doctor muffled every third word. It was a lot of rewind, replay, repeat. And I’m still not sure I got it all.
Walsh texts around lunchtime.
Want to hang out tonight?
He’s not asking me on a date. He learned that lesson. But I’m unsure what “hang out” implies.
By hang out, you mean…
Lennon and I bring dinner to you and Aubrey. Kids can play freeing up the adults to do whatever their minds can conjure up.
If only that were true…
I’ve got an entire list of ideas of what I’d like to do with him when we get to be alone together. Which isn’t panning out to anytime soon, unfortunately.
We could Netflix and chill. The total PG version
I’ll take time with you any way I can get it
My heart jumps at his compliment. Because he’s completely genuine with his words.
You’re the sweetest
My phone pings with another text, but it’s Aunt Marsha.
Hey! If the sleepover goes well on Wednesday night, think Aubrey’d want to stay by herself Friday or Saturday night?
It’s wrong for me to say yes even if she won’t be, right?
Yeah, I thought so.
But what if she was? Then it wouldn’t be wrong, right?
An entire night to myself. Whatever would I do with all the time?
