“You definitely should. Those kids are nuts about you.”
Ryan smiled at that. “I can’t believe you’re going to Ottawa.”
“I know. The enemy, right?”
“You’ll get to play with Rozanov. You still have a crush on him?”
Wyatt laughed. “Maybe I can get to the bottom of this mystery friendship he has with Shane Hollander.”
“Don’t be nosy.”
“Never. I’ve gotta finish packing and get to the airport. I’ll see you soon, though, all right? And have a good Christmas.”
“Yeah. You too. And, uh, thanks.” Ryan cringed, but he really needed to say this. “You made a difference this year. To me, I mean. Sorry if that’s a weird thing to say, but...thanks.”
There was silence, and then Wyatt said, “You’re one of the good ones, Pricey. Remember that.”
They said their goodbyes, and Ryan sat back down on his bed. In all his years of playing, this was the first time he’d been upset about someoneelsebeing traded. The thought of being in that locker room—of being on aplane—without Wyatt there was depressing.
Three days later, Fabian flew home for Christmas, and Ryan was completely alone. On Christmas morning he enjoyed a long video call with his parents and Colleen. They’d seemed surprisingly cheerful despite his not being there. Ryan was glad they weren’t upset about it, but he couldn’t help but feel that he’d disappointed them so many times now that they were beyond caring.
He’d considered going home this year. He really had. The possibility of flying to Halifax with Fabian had been enticing, but Ryan wasn’t sure he wanted Fabian to see what he was like on a plane.
Returning to Ross Harbour could also be overwhelming, sometimes. He was the hero of his small town, and the attention he got whenever he went home made him uncomfortable. Jetting home for two days for Christmas wouldn’t give the townsfolk much time to bother him, but still. Spending the holiday safe and alone in his apartment rather than dealing with planes and travel and over-interested neighbors was a much more appealing option.
He did miss Fabian, though.
He’d bought him a gift, which he would give him when he got back. He wasn’t sure how Fabian would react, but when Ryan had seen it at the mall he’d been killing time at in Dallas, he hadn’t been able to resist.
Ryan was ready to enjoy a quiet afternoon of reading, and then maybe finding a good restaurant that was open on Christmas Day, when disaster struck. He bent to pick up a pair of socks he’d dropped and he threw his back out completely.
“Son of a—” Ryan cursed, then howled, “Fuuuuuck!”
He’d been through this enough times to know that nothing was going to help except patience and caution. He hobbled around his apartment, piling the pillows from his bed onto the couch, then wincing as he had to reach for the heating pad he kept on the top shelf of his closet. It was a stupid place to keep it.
He got himself settled on the couch, with the heating pad tucked under his lower back, and at least was able to read as he’d planned. He turned on the television he’d finally bought and played the fireplace channel as he read. He’d taken some muscle relaxers, and they were making him feel a bit floaty.
He wasn’t sure when he’d fallen asleep, but he woke to his phone ringing. The noise startled him, which caused him to cry out in pain. He fumbled blindly for his phone, keeping his eyes squeezed shut against the agony that was coursing through him. “Hello?”
“Merry Christmas,” purred his favorite voice.
“Fabian. Hi.” Ryan could hear the strain in his own voice. Fabian didn’t miss it.
“Are you all right?”
Ryan blew out a breath as the worst of the pain subsided. “No. I threw my back out.”
“Oh no! When did that happen?”
“This afternoon. It’s been a pretty excellent Christmas.”
“I’m sorry. I wish I was there to help you.”
“I’ll manage.” Ryan grimaced at how grumpy he sounded, and added, “I do wish you were here, though. I miss you.”
“I miss you too, darling. I have had more than enough family.”
“How are they?”
