33. Next thing I know, I’ll be shipped off to California.
33
"Next thing I know, I’ll be shipped off to California."
Marissa Martin
I’ve never been this anxious about having lunch with my dad. Well, with my dad and Aaron. The three of us haven’t gotten together since Aaron and I started dating, considering we avoided our last lunch date. But today, we have to face him, and it’ll be our biggest challenge yet. Aaron and I are like magnets. Anytime we’re around each other, there’s a force pulling us together. Especially after that blissful day out in Bluepoint Nook, a small coastal town two hours away. Having the freedom to walk han d in hand, to kiss out in the open, was even better than I imagined. Like a taste of what life could be for us. And now, I want that even more. Coming back to reality and having to lie and hide doesn’t feel as fun anymore, especially in front of my dad.
As usual, I reach the restaurant before them, hoist myself into a booth, and order drinks. They arrive soon enough, their raucous laughter echoing around the room, making everyone turn around to look at them. Hockey players—even former ones—know how to make an entrance.
“Hey, honey,” Dad says, kissing me on the forehead before sitting across from me. “How are you?”
I don’t even dare glance at Aaron, afraid I’ll mess this all up.
“Good.” I take a sip of my drink. “You? How was practice?”
He starts telling me about their practice, Aaron jumping in to add a few details, but I keep my eyes firmly on my dad, avoiding Aaron’s gaze.
Dad stops mid-sentence, his forehead creasing. “Okay. What’s going on between you two? You won’t even look at each other.”
I don’t need a mirror to know m y ears are flaming red. “Nothing,” Aaron and I both say at the same time.
Dad’s glacier-blue eyes narrow. “Did you two have a fight?”
I grip my fork, my knuckles turning white. “What! No.”
“Everything’s fine,” Aaron adds, his voice louder than usual.
I force a smile, then glance sideways, hoping the waitress might interrupt us, but she’s nowhere in sight. I clear my throat. “Anyway, I have some news. There’s a blood drive next week. I’m thinking of going.”
“That’s a great idea,” Dad says. “Where is it?”
“Really?” Aaron says, frowning.
“It’s a mobile blood donation center, parked on our street.” I’ve never given blood before, and the thought of having a needle sucking blood out of my veins never appealed to me—especially the needle part—but it’s literally right next to my place of work, and I feel like it’s my duty to contribute.
“I wish I could go too,” Dad says, calling the waitress over. “But with the trade deadline coming up, I’ve been stuck in meeting after meeting.”
The waitress comes to the table to take our orders, and once she leaves again, my dad excuses himself and goes to the restroom.
“Nice save,” Aaron mutters as soon as Dad is out of earshot.
“Thanks. Can’t believe it worked.” I shake my head, and Aaron takes my hand in his. Warmth and tingles make their way up to my arm, filling my chest. “But you know, I’ve been thinking. We should really tell him. He loves you, and he loves me. I’m sure he’ll be okay with it. I don’t think we should keep this hidden. It doesn’t feel right anymore.”
Aaron tenses, shaking his head. “Marissa . . .”
“Yesterday was so amazing. It just felt natural. And I know we said this plan would protect us in case this didn’t work, but I’m positive we’re not going to do anything to hurt one another. After years of loving each other, why would we suddenly fall out of love?”
“You’re right, but what about your dad? I’m not ready to face him. Please, can we wait a bit longer before coming clean?”
Swallowing hard, I force a nod. I’m not going to lie, I’m disappointed. But I also understand where he’s coming from. My dad is the only parent figure he’s ever known, and his boss. Nothing about that confrontation will be easy. As long as Aaron wants to keep it a secret, I’ll follow along. “Okay. We don’t say anything. I just thought it would be easier now with how busy he is.”
He pulls his hand back. “Gosh. I didn’t even think about that. Your dad definitely can’t know now. Next thing I know, I’ll be shipped off to California.”
I draw my brows together. “Come on. My dad would never do that.”
Aaron glances up, and his expression shifts, telling me my dad is coming back. As I watch him take his seat again and start chatting with Aaron, I briefly wonder if he’d be capable of letting go of one of his star players just because he’s not happy we’re dating. But that’s ridiculous. He loves Aaron. Plus, he wouldn’t mix his personal and professional lives like that. He has to do what’s best for the team. I pause my train of thought to take a sip of my drink. Then again, he stopped his NHL career just for me. Would he do it to Aaron too?
Beth comes back into the shop after giving blood, and now it’s my turn. To be honest, I’m a little nervous. But Beth said it’s pretty straightforward, and they give you a cookie and a drink afterward. Guess they know how to attract people.
Alice is going at the same time a s me, so that shaves off some of the apprehension. She’s donated blood multiple times before.
We arrive at the van and are greeted by staff members, who ask us to fill out a health questionnaire. Next, they check our vitals, and once we’re cleared, we settle into the semi-reclined chairs where they take our blood. The entire process lasts maybe forty minutes, and the cookie is surprisingly good. My head hurts a little, and I feel weak, but I’m sure that’s normal. They took a lot of blood, after all. More than I expected.
“So? How was it?” Alice asks as we’re walking back. “Not that scary, huh?”
“No. It was all right,” I admit. “Not a fan of that huge needle, but it was quick enough.”
“I agree. It’s not my favorite part either.” She chuckles. “But it’s important to give blood. They need it.”
She’s right, and I’m proud to have made my first contribution to the blood bank. Maybe I should do this more often.
“By the way,” she says as we reach our section of the street. “Have you given more thought to moving in? You haven’t mentioned it again since that day.”
I tuck a strand of hair behind my ear. “Oh, right.” I’ve kind of been avoiding Alice, and the subject of me moving in with her, hoping she’d just for get about it. “I think I’m going to stay with Aaron for a while. Frankly, he’s not home a lot and, well, it’s rent-free.”
“ Oui ,” she says, her eyes sparkling a little brighter than usual. “That’s what I thought. Why leave a situation like that, right?”
“Exactly.” I chuckle, glad that she’s not questioning my change of heart any further. She’s probably happy to have the place to herself so she can start the renovations to join her and Deacon’s apartments. “Well, thanks for coming with me for my first time. You helped a lot.”
“Happy to be of service. Talk soon.”
I wave at her, then push open the door of the coffee shop.
Beth is wiping down the counter when I step inside. “There she is! Woman of the hour,” she says, a big smile on her face.
I just shake my head. “I just gave blood, no big deal.”
She snorts out a laugh. “Says the girl who was freaking out all morning about it.”
“Touché. But it wasn’t that bad,” I say, walking to the back room. “Is it normal to feel lightheaded, though?”
I reach for the counter, my hand shaking slightly. The world starts to tilt, and I blink hard, trying to steady myself. My forehead is slick with sweat, but it feels like a cold wave is crashing over me. The buzzin g in my ears is like a distant hum, but it builds until it’s deafening, drowning out the sounds around me. I can feel my heartbeat thudding in my chest, erratic and wild.
“Beth?” I call, my voice thin, like it’s someone else speaking. Her response comes muffled, almost as if she’s underwater. I clutch the counter harder, trying to ground myself, but the floor seems to slip further away.
The ringing intensifies, blurring everything. I take a step forward, and my vision narrows—dark vignettes closing in from the edges like a tunnel. My legs feel unsteady, almost like they’re made of jello.
“Beth,” I say again, but the world around me begins to fade, slipping from my grasp.