Page 229 of Securing the Pucking Rebound

He gives me the sweetest of kisses, and when we finally part, I can’t help but feel like he was trying to tell me something with it.

He stares at me with dark eyes and swollen lips, and I almost tell him to just drive me home so I can spend the holidays with him. But before I get a chance, he pushes his door open and climbs out.

Only seconds later, he’s opening my door and helping me out, my carry-on at his feet.

“Come on, darlin’. Let’s get you checked in.”

He takes my hand and walks with me into departures, and he doesn’t leave my side until I have to leave him and go through security. I look back before turning the corner, and I find him still standing there, watching me.

My heart thumps in my chest, and my gut screams that I’m making a mistake. But Calvin is right; my parents are waiting for me. We have plans. And it’s only three days. It’ll be over before I know it.

No sooner am I on the other side of security than I’m messaging him.

It’s pathetic. I’m like a teenager with a crush, but I can’t help it.

The flight seems to take forever, and I’m weary with exhaustion by the time we touch down in Idaho, despite it being a relatively short flight.

When I turn my cell on, I find messages from Calvin, and one from my brother to tell me that his flight is delayed again, followed by no fewer than five grumpy GIFs.

With my carry-on dragging behind me, I trudge out to arrivals, expecting to have to call a car, but the second I walk out of the exit, I spot two people with massive smiles on their faces.

Mom waves like a maniac before running toward me as fast as her legs will carry her. To everyone else waiting for loved ones, it must look like we haven’t seen each other in years, not only a matter of weeks.

“You’re dating Calvin Keller,” she squeals at a pitch that I’m sure only dogs should be able to hear the second she’s in touching distance.

“Uh…”

She wraps me in her arms, squeezing me tightly.

“I can’t believe this. It’s so exciting. Why didn’t you tell us? It’s such huge news. Our future son-in-law is famous.”

I stare at her, stunned by the fact that she knows and just how excited she is.

Future son-in-law.

Her words hit me all of a sudden.

But before I can get a word in, Dad is there, distracting me from Mom’s overexcitement. “Hey, kiddo. How was your flight?”

He pulls me in for a hug that instantly makes me feel at home.

“Long. Although not as long as Garrett’s, I hear.”

Dad chuckles. “That kid has zero luck with flying.”

I chuckle as Dad takes my carry-on from me, and we turn toward the main exit to head home.

“So, tell us everything,” Mom demands. “How did you two end up dating?”

“How do you know we’re dating?” I ask.

Honestly, I’m expecting her to tell me that Garrett told her. It’s been a while since I swore him to secrecy, and my brother is notoriously bad at holding his tongue for too long.

“Baby, it’s all over the internet.”

“What?” I blurt.

“You haven’t seen it?” she asks.