Chapter 24
SHARE WITH THE CLASS
FLETCHER
“So?” Calvin slaps my back as we skate off the practice rink.
“So, what?” I wipe some of the sweat from my face.
“How’d it go?”
I can’t help but smile.
“Oh, I know what that look means,” Calvin teases.
“Fuck off, Miller.” I shove him.
“Not that. Are you ready to admit that you’re in love yet?” he asks seriously.
Trigg skates over to us, taking off his helmet and revealing his sweat-drenched, long blonde hair. “Was date one a success?”
Again, I smile. “Yeah. It was.”
“Fletchy baby is in loooveee,” Calvin croons.
“Aw, look at you with the red cheeks.” Trigg takes off his blocker to pinch my cheek.
“Stop that.” I swat at his hand. “It went really well. We have a tentative date planned on Thursday next week.”
“Come on. We need details!” Calvin groans.
“I’m not sure what kind of details you want. It was amazing.” A memory pops into my mind of Dylan. “Oh, by the way. Addy, do you think I can enlist you to do a private lesson for a kid? I owe him.”
Trigg shrugs. “Sure. Sounds fun.”
“Wait, what about me?” Calvin pouts.
“You’re not a goalie,” I say.
“Why do you owe a kid?” Trigg questions, stopping Calvin from speaking further.
I take a deep breath. “On our date, Lydia mentioned that the hot chocolate we were drinking was going to be a new craving for her. So, I went over to the food stand and asked for the recipe. Turns out the boy working, Dylan, is like sixteen and a goalie. He works when he can, and his aunt works two jobs just to afford his gear and everything he needs. His grandpa wanted to give me the recipe for free, but I don’t know.
I feel like he could use some encouragement. ”
Trigg nods slowly. “I am happy to help. I like to give lessons.”
Calvin sighs. “Of course, he’s a goalie. All the cool kids are.”
“Yes, they are,” Trigg says with a smile. “Text me the details. We will make something work.”
“Great.” I pat his large, padded shoulder and nod in thanks.
“So, what’s next with Lydia?” Calvin asks.
“We are going out next Thursday after she gets off work. It’s an afternoon practice day. What date do you think we should do then?”
“Baking date, obviously,” Calvin says without hesitation. “Get in the Christmas spirit, man. Make some cookies. It will be perfect timing.”
“That’s actually perfect.” I can’t believe I didn’t think of that. “I’ll have to grab all the supplies when we get home from our away game, but that should work perfectly. I’ll have everything ready when she gets home from work.”
“Can you make me some krumkake?” Trigg’s eyes shine with delight.
“Crumb-what?” Calvin furrows his brows as he stares at Trigg.
“Addy, I don’t even know what that is, man,” I admit.
“Do you not have it here?” Trigg frowns. “I thought everyone had krumkake.”
“I have never heard of it.”
“Hmm. I will make some. I will also bring lefse.”
“You do that,” Calvin says with a chuckle. “I’m always down for a Christmas treat.”
“Have you kissed her yet?” Trigg questions, bringing the subject back around.
“Yes and no.” I shrug.
“How on earth is that an answer?” Calvin’s voice is filled with laughter.
“She kissed me on the cheek, and when I went to kiss her back, I caught the edge of her lips. It wasn’t a full kiss, but it also was sort of a kiss.”
“And you didn’t kiss her good night?”
I shake my head. “No. I have a plan for how I want our first kiss to go.”
They stare at me, like they’re waiting for me to elaborate.
To no one’s surprise, Calvin breaks first. “Would you care to share with the class?”
“Nope,” I say, popping the P. “Like I said, I have a plan. I don’t want to jinx it, so I’m keeping it to myself for now.”
“You’re no fun.” Calvin taps the top of my skate with his stick.
“This whole thing has awoken the romantic in me, what can I say?”
“I love romance,” Trigg says with a dreamy smile.
Calvin kicks at the ice, and I wonder what that might be about, but I don’t get a chance to ask as Coach blows his whistle, signaling the end of our brief break.