29. Calvin
CALVIN
When it first occurred to me why Linc and Rett were standing at my door on Thanksgiving morning, I was a little irritated.
But then they made themselves comfortable, letting me know that refusing wasn’t an option, and I realized that I wasn’t pissed at all. Just thankful. For them, and for Sienna, who clearly set this whole thing up.
Recently, I’ve had all kinds of thoughts and fears ruling me.
I’ve flip-flopped back and forth between being confident that the Vipers organization wants me around, as well as whether my friends here are friends of convenience or if our connections run deeper.
But them turning up today when I needed them…
yeah, I’m definitely leaning more toward the real friendship.
And the reason for that epiphany…Sienna.
I might not be a fan of the fact that she obviously went behind my back and told them about my plans today. But they listened, and they did something about it. They made space in their plans for me and were unwilling to take no for an answer.
As I sat in the back of Linc’s car, listening to the two of them bicker like an old married couple, there were only two words that really needed saying.
Thank you.
I sent that message well over an hour ago, but every time I check my cell, it shows the same thing. Delivered but unread.
I know she’ll be busy with her family doing all the traditions she’s happily told me about, but that doesn’t stop my impatience.
But despite my desperation to feel my cell buzz in my pocket, I’ve got the best kind of distraction around me.
We’re at Linc’s apartment, where Rett’s mom is cooking up a storm in the kitchen with help from Parker and Bea.
Rett’s dad, Linc, and I are hanging out in the living room, talking about hockey.
Clark Donnelly is an NHL legend, and every time I’ve met him, I’ve been in awe of him.
He had a fantastic playing career, followed by a very successful coaching career.
But eventually, he decided all the traveling and time away from his wife was too much, and he retired, allowing them to travel around the world.
It’s a pretty sweet life, by the sound of it, and it gives me hope that there is a life after playing professional hockey.
Everything he says, I soak it up like a freaking sponge. And I’m not the only one, because while Rett might tease him like any good son is meant to, it’s clear that both he and Linc hang onto his every word. I’m pretty sure Parker would be, too, if she were over here.
From the moment I stepped into Linc and Parker’s place, I’ve felt like I belong. They accepted my presence with open arms, and I don’t think they’ll ever understand just how much that means to me.
I’m not sure what Sienna said to them, but none of them have asked about why I was going to be alone today, or reflected on all the Thanksgivings of the past. Rett might be new to the team, but Linc and I have been playing together for years.
It feels like it takes forever, but eventually, the reply I’ve been waiting for finally appears on my cell.
The second I pull it from my pocket and see her name staring back at me, the rest of the room ceases to exist, their voices and laughter fading away.
Sienna: Are you mad?
Calvin: Honestly, I was for about thirty seconds.
Sienna: I couldn’t stand the thought of you being alone today, especially when there are people who love you so close by.
Calvin: I wish you were closer.
I hit send before second-guessing the message.
Sienna: Aw, missing me already?
Calvin: I missed you from the second you left.
She’s going to assume I mean to catch her flight yesterday morning. But I’m not thinking about that. I’m thinking of the day her parents drove away from our ranch and toward the airport, taking the most incredible person I’d ever met away from me.
I’ve missed her since that very moment.
Sienna: I’ll be back before you know it, moaning about how noisy you are.
Calvin: Can’t wait. And then we can go on date number 2?
“Look at his face. He’s definitely messaging a girl.” I’m vaguely aware of Linc’s rumbling.
“His hookup for tonight, maybe?” Rett suggests, despite being aware of the situation with Sienna.
He’s dropped enough hints for me to assume that Sienna has told Bea everything and that it’s gotten straight back to him.
It’s cool. I trust them. But I also don’t feel the need to give them all the details right now.
Hell, I don’t even know all the details.
I guess we’re dating. We’ve been on one and are planning the second. We’ve had a couple of incredible kisses, but we haven’t gotten any further.
It’s…It’s nothing like I’ve experienced before, and I have no fucking idea what I’m doing.
“Nah, he doesn’t put that much effort into a hookup,” Linc counters. “I think our one-night-only man might just have a little crush.”
“Leave him alone,” Parker demands, popping up out of nowhere and teasingly slapping Linc upside the head.
“Hey,” he complains before reaching over and dragging her over the back of the couch, plopping her into his lap.
“Ignore him, Killer. If you want to plan your hookup for later, you go for it.”
“I’m not—” My lips slam closed the second Linc’s smirk appears.
“I knew it. Who is she?” he demands.
Parker rolls her eyes. “We’re happy for you, K. And can’t wait to meet her. Now, leave him al—” Linc cuts her off by slamming his lips against hers.
“Seriously?” Rett mutters while making a point of staring at the TV as if this commercial is the most fascinating thing he’s ever seen.
Unwilling to end the kiss early for her brother’s benefit, Parker flips him off.
“Fine. I’ll go and help Mom,” he mutters, stalking toward the kitchen where Alison and Bea are laughing together.
As fun as all their laughter and bickering is, I can’t deny that it brings back slightly painful memories. I remember a time when me, my sisters, and my parents were like this.
Before I ruined everything by chasing my dream. A dream that none of them shared.
I get it. I really do. The ranch has been in my family for generations. There was an expectation of me before I was even born that one day, I would take over.
I love it there, or at least, I used to, but I never saw it as my life.
I wanted bigger things. I wanted to get out of our small town and experience something new. I wanted to meet new people. I just wanted more.
And in achieving it, I’ve lost what I had there.
Sure, if I were to turn up, they’d no doubt welcome me with open arms. But it would come hand in hand with a load of criticism from them and, in turn, guilt from me.
I still love my family, of course I do. I just…I don’t like them very much for constantly trying to shove me inside a box I don’t fit in, and not understanding my need to break away.
I’d always hoped that maybe one of my sisters would do the same.
It might have made life easier for me, but they never did.
They both went to our local community college after high school, and they’re now both in relationships with guys they went to school with, and work on the ranch.
Doing my job, as has been thrown in my face more times than I can count.
I’m sure they’re all there today, sitting around the giant table in my parents’ kitchen.
Mom is probably wearing the apron she used to wear when we were kids, and I bet her hair is still styled the same as well.
Dad will continue to crack the same jokes when he finally gets in from whatever job he was doing, and everyone will fake laugh to humor him.
A pang of longing hits me in the chest. It doesn’t happen very often, mostly because I try hard not to think about everything I left behind; instead, I focus on the reason I don’t feel like I have another choice.
“Hey, are you okay?” Bea says quietly as she sits beside me.
“Yeah, of course,” I force myself to say, hoping it doesn’t sound as broken as I feel.
“Please don’t be mad at her,” she pleads.
I shake my head, a smile pulling at my lips. “I’m not. I’m…grateful.”
“Really?”
“Yeah. Thanks for sending the guys. This is much better than hanging out at home on my own.”
Bea holds my eyes for a beat before looking away.
“What?” I ask, sensing she’s holding something back.
“She…she really likes you,” Bea confesses, hesitantly finding my eyes again.
All the tension I was holding from thinking about my family drains away instantly.
“Yeah?” I ask, my heart picking up pace.
“She’d kill me if she knew I was saying this,” Bea mutters. “Sienna doesn’t trust guys easily. She’s a romantic at heart, but no one has proved to her that it can be a reality. But…she trusts you.”
Her words slam into me, just like Cooper Nash did that day he turned my world upside down.
I stare at her, my heart fully racing.
“Please, be gentle and patient with her. She’ll resist letting you in for as long as she can. But once she does…the wait will have been worth it.”
I swallow thickly.
“And please, for the love of all that is holy, do not hurt her. I’d hate to have to send Rett over to fuck up your other leg.” My brows rise as a trickle of fear races through me.
Never mess with a pregnant chick.
“I-I don’t have any intentions of doing that,” I mutter.
“That’s good to hear. I know this is all new and scary. I had a front-row seat to watch Rett shed his fuckboy persona, but I think he’d probably agree with me that it’s the best thing he ever did.”
“What’s that, sweetheart?” he asks, folding over the back of the couch so his head is between us.
“I was just telling Calvin that I’m the best thing that ever happened to you.”
“Fuck, yeah,” he agrees instantly before cupping her jaw and brushing his lips against hers.
But I don’t need Rett’s words to confirm what I already know. He’s a better person now he’s got Bea. We all see it. She’s also helped to make him a better player. I just hope that I get the chance to prove to these guys that the same could possibly happen to me.
“Excuse me,” I mutter, pushing from the couch, leaving Clark to deal with the loved-up couples around him while I go and offer my support to Alison, who is now alone in the kitchen.
“Put me to work, ma’am,” I say, pulling out my best southern charm. “What needs doing?”
“Okay, sweetie. This big bird here needs to take her seat at the center of the table.”
“You got it, Mrs. D,” I tease with a wink before heaving the large bird into my hands.
I manage to take one step before I realize my mistake. The plate tilts, and long before anything happens, the image of the turkey crashing to the floor fills my head.
Panic grips me as I fight to find my footing and right the plate. But as I do, pain sears up my leg, only making the situation worse.
“It’s okay. I’ve got it,” a deep voice rumbles, and when I look up, I find Clark rescuing the turkey from my arms. “Go and sit down, son. We need you resting that leg so you can get out kicking ass on that ice as soon as possible.”
A lump crawls up my throat the second he calls me son. It’s been so long since I’ve heard that said in such a way.
I nod, looking around to see if anyone else is watching. Thankfully, they’re all too distracted with each other.
“I’ll just take the potatoes,” I force out, before picking up the much smaller bowl and taking it to the table.