Page 83 of Pucking Rebound
“He’s always complaining about his sisters and how they steal the food from his fridge. You’re the same.” He points at me, then selects a packet of M&M’s from the tray.
Kali steals a glance my way and I know it’s a look that says, ‘Now would be a perfect opportunity to tell him you’re his sister but we can’t’.
I nod in understanding and turn my attention to what’s on the large screen.
Picking up a handful of fries I dip them into my ice cream. It’s my favorite combo.
“Girls are weird,” Wade pipes up and when I look over, I find him watching me eat.
“Girls are cool.” I take another handful of fries and continue to dip and eat.
“I have two cool girls in my life,” he counters, and I love how well I have seamlessly slotted into his life as if I’ve always been here. For now. That might all change, which I’m terrified about.
“Yes, you do.” Kali grabs my hand quickly and gives it a squeeze.
“I’m a lucky bastard.” He throws an M&M in the air and catches it in his mouth. When he lowers his head, he turns to look at us both to find Kali and I sitting, smiling at him. “Thanks for saving me.”
I swallow louder than I thought humanly possible as I try to hold back the emotions I feel fizzing in my chest. “You were worth saving, Wade.” My voice cracks.
“You’ll never understand how much you both mean to me.” His gaze bounces between Kali and me. “Just don’t break my heart.”
Kali and I both tense because when he finds out Kali knows about me being his half-sister, that’s exactly what we might do.
For all of our sakes, I hope not.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
Jordy
It’s exactly five o’clock and I’m jumping out of my truck to greet Lola, who has pulled up next to me in the empty parking lot in her little white SUV.
Waving excitedly, she smiles, exposing the dimples that make her look even more beautiful and youthful.
Pulling her hat on, the one with the pom-poms she always wears, she opens her car door and I’m holding out my hand like a chauffeur to help her step down onto the snow-covered parking lot. “Be careful. It’s a bit slippery underfoot.”
“Hi.” Gingerly, she plants one foot then the other into the fresh snow that fell about an hour ago.
“Hey, Teacup.” I steal a kiss.
“Someone might see us.” She scans the well-lit area.
I hold my arms out to the side. “There is no one around.” Aside from a couple of people who are out walking their dogs, it’s almost deserted.
Lola opens the rear door of her car to grab her jacket from the back seat.
“So we are the foolish ones being out here in the cold,” she says, putting her jacket on, she zips herself up, pulling the collar up around her ears to protect them.
“Yes we are. Freezing your ass off will be worth it once you see what I have planned though.”
Lola’s car beeps twice when she locks it then stuffs her key fob into her pocket and pulls out a pair of cream cable knit mittens then puts them on.
“Come.” I hold out my glove-covered hand for her to take and we walk across the parking lot and into the park.
“It’s beautiful here at Christmas time.” Looking up, she admires the trees covered in fairy lights.
“It is,” I agree, but I’m not looking at the trees. I’m referring to her. The way the lights make her eyes twinkle, and her face light up, she looks like she’s glowing.
“This way.” I tug her hand, steering her off the path and onto the grass that’s covered in thick snow.
