Page 2 of Securing the Pucking Rebound
“I wish you’d let us come and help,” she chastises.
“It’s fine. We’ve got this, right, G?”
“Oh yeah,” he teases. “This is exactly what I wanted to be doing with my days off.”
I roll my eyes. “You love me really.”
Wrapping his arm around my shoulders, he gives me a squeeze.
“Shame the guys have been away for a game. You could have had the entire hockey team helping you move,” Dad says, joining the conversation.
“Even if they were here, I couldn’t do that.” Dad quirks a brow. They’re both aware of the turn my life took when Bea got herself pregnant by none other than Everett Donnelly, the star D-man for the LA Vipers. “We never would have gotten anything done because G would have fanboyed them all day.”
“I would not. It wouldn’t be the first time I’ve met professional hockey players,” he argues.
“Oh yeah, when was the last time that happened?”
He mutters something under his breath that neither I nor our parents can made out.
“I saw one once in Starbucks.”
I can’t help but burst out laughing.
“That doesn’t count,” I force out through my amusement. “Three weeks ago, I hung out in Everett Donnelly’s living room with Calvin Keller and Hayden Monroe.”
Garrett scoffs, jealousy coming off him in waves. “I said I met one, not that I hung out with one. God, you always have to be better, don’t you?” he teases.
That’s not true. In most aspects of life, Garrett is far superior to me, graduating with a statistics degree, along with everything else he’s incredibly talented at. He soared through school and college; whereas I struggled every step of the way. I found my calling in life when I was a teenager, though. From the moment Mom caved and allowed me to get my first eye shadow palette and lipstick, I was obsessed with beauty, and nothing has changed.
“Jealousy isn't a good look on you, bro,” I mock.
“So, let’s get the tour, then,” Mom says, putting an end to the bickering before it really starts.
“It’s just a lot of boxes right now, but sure.” I flip the camera and take them around my apartment while Garrett mutters something about getting the coffee machine set up.
“I’m heading out,” Garrett says a few hours later.
“Are you sure you want to? You know that helping me unpack will be way more fun.”
He pokes his tongue out at me as he throws his duffel over his shoulder.
“I’m very sure. I’ll see you for breakfast tomorrow, though?”
“Yeah, just message me first, because there’s every chance that I’ll sleep for a week.”
“You got it. Have a good night.”
“You too. Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.”
He shakes his head before disappearing from my sight and, soon after, the apartment.
Despite the exhaustion and the fact that my stomach is growling, I can’t stop the smile from spreading across my face as I sit back on my haunches and look around.
This place…It’s more than I need, really. It’s an expense that I possibly shouldn’t have lumbered myself with, but…fuck, it feels good.
I feel like a grown-up in my big-girl apartment.
Pushing to my feet, I perch my ass on the edge of the couch and set about ordering my first takeout here. I haven’t found the boxes with the plates or cutlery yet, so I decide to go with a burger and chips. A thrill shoots through me as I update my address and delivery instructions. For the first time in my life, I have a concierge to take in my deliveries. No more trying to find where my parcels might have gone, or wondering if my neighbors have stolen them. Everything will get to me safely. The man who was on duty tonight, Harold, was incredibly friendly and helpful. His smile made me feel instantly at home here.
