“I love you more.”
As I hang up, I’m smiling. My fears have been smoothed over.
I pace the living room of my mom's house, sure that I'm leaving a path in the carpet. The guys aren’t going to be home like they’re supposed to be.
"There are delays with the weather. You can't hold that against them. They're trying to get home to you," Mom says, trying to calm me down.
All the guys should have been back home by now. We only had a few days to spend together for the holidays, and I was looking forward to them. Now, a snowstorm has hit, coincidentally delaying all their flights. My abandonment issues are having a hard time dealing with this development.
"It's not even snowing that hard outside," I say, resuming my pacing.
"When are they getting home now?” she asks me.
"Sometime tomorrow, I hope. I don't want our Christmas to be ruined. We have Connor for a few hours."
"It won't be ruined, I'm sure. Why don't you stay here tonight so you don't have to drive in the storm? I know you don't want to stay in that big house alone for another night. Stacy won't mind if you use Cole's room, and who knows when she'll be back from Greg's. We have enough supplies to bake for hours."
I was poised to argue, but she'd roped me in with the baking. I have so many fond memories of us baking together before the holidays, and I need stress relief.
"What are we making?" I ask her, and she smiles brightly at me.
"Sugar cookies, brownies, an eclair cake, maybe more."
"Then we’d better get to it."
By the time we're done, well into the night, I'm exhausted. My feet are killing me when I finally settle into Cole's old bed in the room that was recently my sanctuary after running away from the guys. I turn off the lamp and lie down, but my mind isn't tired enough to sleep, so I pull out my phone and browse social media. Foster must see me online because he calls me.
"Hi, pretty girl. I miss you so much," he says when I answer.
"I miss you too. Are you sure you'll be here in the morning?"
"Yep, I got the first flight out. It's a short flight, so I'll be home before you wake up."
"The other guys said that they'll be home early too."
"I know, we've talked. We all can't wait to see you and spend Christmas together. I'm sorry it hasn't been how we expected."
"It's okay, just as long as we can be together soon. Are you stuck sleeping in the airport tonight?"
"No, there's a hotel connected to the airport. I was able to get a room for the night. I'd rather be in my bed, though, with you. I can't wait to eat all the sweets you've been sending me photos of. They look delicious."
"They are pretty yummy, but probably not good for the strict diets you all are on."
"Holiday calories don't count, you know that. Why aren't you in bed yet?"
"I'm in bed but can't fall asleep. My body is dead, but my brain is too alive. Why aren't you?"
"I hoped I'd chat with you before I went to sleep. Maybe I can get one of those sexy video calls."
"Yeah, not happening. I'm not defiling Cole's childhood room like that."
Foster snorts, "Like you didn't defile that bed when we were horny teenagers."
I fake a gasp, "Foster."
He chuckles, "Fine, I guess I understand. I will go to sleep now, and you should do the same. I'll see you soon. I promise."
"Goodnight. Sweet dreams."
