Page 90 of Securing the Pucking Rebound

I wait nervously as he types. But then he stops. And starts again.

“Ugh,” I groan, trying not to convince myself he’s got plans with a woman tonight.

He told me he didn’t, but old habits die hard and all that.

Finally, his message pops up. And I can’t help the huge smile that spreads across my face.

Calvin King of the ice Keller: I won’t have any distractions from thinking about you…

“Oh my fucking god,” I breathe, heat surging to my cheeks.

Did someone turn the heat up in here?

I’m so lost in his words that I don’t realize people have started to walk past me, and it’s not until someone steps right up to me, putting me in their shadow, that I come back to reality.

“Who are you messaging that has you smiling like that?” a familiar voice asks.

As fast as humanly possible, I put my cell to sleep and shove it in my pocket before turning to my brother.

“You’re here,” I squeal, jumping into his arms.

“Whoa. Someone missed me,” he teases.

“I always miss you. And anyway, I’m just warming you up for Mom. You haven’t been home in forever and she’s going to lose her mind.”

Guilt flickers through his eyes.

“How was your flight?” I ask, reaching for the handle of my carry-on, but he gets there before me, and we take off with him tugging both of our suitcases behind him.

“Long,” he grunts. “I’m ready for a beer and some of Mom’s cookies.”

My stomach growls at just the thought of the warm cookies Mom is going to hand us only minutes after we’ve walked through the front door. There’s a reason I’ve been so strict with my diet this past week, and it has everything to do with our mother, the feeder. She’s never happier than when she’s feeding her babies, and I can already feel my waistline expanding because of it.

We chat like we haven't seen each other in years, not just a couple of weeks, as we head out to grab the Uber Garrett orders, and before we know it, we’re pulling up outside our parents' home, both of them waiting for us on the wrap-around porch.

A rush of warmth, comfort, and security rushes through me as I throw the car door open and run straight into their waiting arms.

Is there a better feeling than coming home to those who love you?

27

CALVIN

“So, are you going to give me the grand tour?” I ask with a cocky smirk. “It’s been years since I got to explore a girl’s bedroom.”

“You’re such a guy,” Sienna teases as she moves around her room. Her face fills the screen, and while I can’t complain—she looks as stunning as ever—I’m desperate to learn more about the girl who stole my heart all those years ago.

“Oh, I’m glad you noticed,” I say, wiggling my brows.

I’m lounging on my couch, my knee aching like a bitch after Darcy pushed me harder in our session today. I wasn’t lying earlier when I was messaging her. It was fucking brutal. It also felt good to be taking the next step in my rehab, moving a little more, putting more weight on it. It gives me hope that progress is happening, and slowly but surely, I’m moving toward getting back out on the ice. And I’d be lying if I said I didn’t take my shirt off before trying my luck and video calling Sienna.

We never agreed to continue talking while she was with her family, but her messages have continued to come throughout the day, and like the greedy motherfucker I am, I’ve replied every time. And the moment she mentioned she was heading to bed, I couldn’t help but hit that little video button.

Honestly, I was expecting her to hit cancel and ruin my night. But to my surprise, she accepted it, and only two seconds later did her beautiful face appear before me.

She had her finger over her lips, stopping me from saying anything for a few moments as the familiar sound of footsteps racing up the stairs spilled from my speakers. A door closed, and then finally she said that I could speak.

Hearing her voice was the best part of my day.