Chapter 15
CALLUM
Me:
Still good to check my plants this week?
she’s-TOTS-off-limits:
Yep. Tomorrow.
Me:
Awesome.
Want anything from Seattle?
she’s-TOTS-off-limits:
A goal for me.
Me:
Done. Gonna watch the game tonight?
she’s-TOTS-off-limits:
Can’t. Have a date.
Me:
Another one?
This is your fourth in two weeks
she’s-TOTS-off-limits:
I’m burning through them all at astonishing speed, I know.
Me:
That’s not what I meant.
she’s-TOTS-off-limits:
It’s okay. It’s the truth.
Me:
What’s his name?
she’s-TOTS-off-limits:
Jackson Beaumont. Sound familiar?
Me:
No. Sounds like a jackass.
she’s-TOTS-off-limits:
You don’t even know him.
Me:
I’m a good judge of character
you got bear spray?
she’s-TOTS-off-limits:
I’m going to an art museum. I don’t need bear spray.
Me:
Don’t leave your drink unattended
she’s-TOTS-off-limits:
Never thought I’d say this, but I think you’re hanging around Rohan too much.
Did you both take a course on being overprotective?
Me:
Can’t compromise on safety, Tots. Send me your location before you leave the house
she’s-TOTS-off-limits:
Again? Is this really necessary?
Me:
Why don’t we ask Moore if he thinks it’s necessary?
she’s-TOTS-off-limits:
You know, if this hockey thing doesn’t work out, you have a career in blackmail.
Me:
I’ll take it under consideration.
***
Me:
Well?
she’s-TOTS-off-limits:
Hi?
Me:
Tots.
she’s-TOTS-off-limits:
Hockey Boy.
Me:
Is that how you wanna play it?
she’s-TOTS-off-limits:
You’re annoying. The date was fine. I was safe in bed by ten.
Me:
So he was boring?
she’s-TOTS-off-limits:
He was really nice. We had a good time.
Me:
Nice and good are not great ways to describe a date
You gonna see him again?
she’s-TOTS-off-limits:
Don’t think so.
Me:
Why not?
If he’s soooo nice and good
she’s-TOTS-off-limits:
Are you being sarcastic?
Me:
Never.
she’s-TOTS-off-limits:
Uh huh.
I’m not seeing him again because the date ended when he admitted he’s still in love with his ex. He wants to get back together with her.
I helped him pick a gift.
Me:
Oh. Sorry, Tots.
she’s-TOTS-off-limits:
It’s okay. I had fun. At least I know the problem wasn’t me this time.
Me:
I don’t like you saying stuff like that
Any guy would be lucky to date you
she’s-TOTS-off-limits:
Your house is huge. How long have you had it?
Me:
Nice change of topic. Subtle.
she’s-TOTS-off-limits:
You have a million plants. I can’t believe you have care instructions on all of them.
Me:
I did warn you.
she’s-TOTS-off-limits:
Didn’t warn me you have an obsession with flora. And so many instruction notes!
You seem so easygoing but you’re a control freak, aren’t you?
Me:
Depends on my mood and who you ask ;)
she’s-TOTS-off-limits:
I’m asking the plants and they agree. You are certifiable.
Me:
My babies would never diss their dad like that.
she’s-TOTS-off-limits:
You’re weird.
Me:
The weirdest potato in the sack, Aloo fry.
she’s-TOTS-off-limits:
Another nickname?
Me:
Aloo fry = French fry. 100% snackable. Which reminds me, there are snacks in the pantry if you want to raid it.
she’s-TOTS-off-limits:
I’m only here to feed the plants—sorry—babies.
Me:
Mango and habanero kettle chips. Big black bags.
Avocados in the kitchen if you feel like making yourself some guac
Ginger-beer in the fridge
she’s-TOTS-off-limits:
I…might be hungry after all.
Me:
There’s a theatre upstairs if you wanna watch something while you eat.
she’s-TOTS-off-limits:
Like a movie?
Me:
Or a hockey game.
she’s-TOTS-off-limits:
Or a movie. Or reality TV!
Me:
Technically, hockey is reality TV
she’s-TOTS-off-limits:
Just not as fun.
Me:
Your words hurt
Heading onto the ice to do my super fun job now
she’s-TOTS-off-limits:
Good luck!
Me:
Thanks, Tots :)
“Cal, put the goddamn phone away before Coach loses her shit.”
I give Mateo a nod, but I don’t look away from my screen.
We have time while the announcers hype the crowd up for the game.
I bargain with myself for a few extra seconds as the svelte form of the woman I shouldn’t be so drawn to pads across my living room with a bowl of chips.
She backtracks and reaches for the pothos, drawing the vine to her lips for a kiss.
She’s really taking those instructions I left for her seriously. Not that I had any doubts, but this confirms she’s the cutest woman I’ve ever met. She’s so sweet, I’m surprised she isn’t constantly surrounded by people wanting her attention.
I might’ve gone a tad bit overboard in my zeal to keep her in my house longer than required.
I absolutely didn’t need to print out the name, origin facts, and care instructions for every plant I own.
Or add handwritten notes to each one with the most ridiculous requests: sing Backstreet Boys to the succulents, give the pothos a kiss, this monstera likes hugs but the fiddleleaf is sensitive and needs poetry to perk up.
Plant-specific care is important to me—or so I try to convince myself. That my actions stem from nothing more than a need to keep them thriving. And maybe tease Alia while I’m at it.
But that’s not why I made sure to stock my fridge with ginger-beer after noticing how much she enjoyed it at the Taco Festival. Or why I have twenty bags of those mango-flavored chips hidden in the garage.
I watch her make herself comfortable on my couch, glad she’s there, where she’s safe, instead of meeting random ‘nice’ guys for dates.
I refuse to investigate why I feel this way.
My mouth curves up when Alia switches the screen from the movie she selected to hockey. That’s my girl!
Wait, no. Not my girl. Just a girl who happens to be mine—no, goddammit—my friend.
“Someone send you nudes?” Theo waggles his brows when I glance at him. I take the opportunity to turn my phone off and stash it away.
“No.”
“Was it a girl?” he nags as we walk down the tunnel, the din at the exit indicating a full arena.
“Yes.”
“Hot?”
“Yes,” I sigh. “But she’s just a friend.” I check the tape on my stick. It’s perfect; cleanly wound, like it was five minutes ago.
“You sure about that?”
I arch a questioning brow but all he does is grin like a moron. Like normal.
“You were smiling so much, I thought it might be a hookup,” he says.
“It’s nothing,” I reply with a grimace. I can’t get pulled into the quicksand of thinking it could be anything at all. Not when she’s Rohan’s cousin. And definitely not when she’s meeting other men on dating apps.
All I get are stolen moments of watching her on my security camera like a psychotic creep. Mom would be so proud.
My stomach churns but Coach’s bark to send me out on the ice gives me much needed reprieve. I lock away all thoughts of brown eyes and gentle laughter, welcoming instead the familiarity and rush of crowds booing me and the boys as we go up against their home team.
As I lose myself in the fight for dominance in a sport that’s always been the love of my life, a disconcerting thought wriggles into my brain.
Hockey is where I’m safe. She’s a demanding mistress and I’ve never had trouble giving her all my time and attention. She is all I’ve ever needed.
But, for the first time in forever, this thought doesn’t bring me comfort.
For the first time, I wonder if there’s more.