Page 20

Chapter twenty

Holt

“What are your plans for Christmas?” Wes asks, taking a seat next to me in the locker room after the game, which we lost six to two.

Of course, my first home game back, and Becca had to show up, with her parents or whoever the older couple was.

It wasn’t my best game, not that it was anyone’s best game.

I want to blame the fact that I let in six goals on knowing Becca was there, watching me, but that’s not what it was.

My focus slipped, and my reflexes were slow.

“My parents will be here late tonight.” They insisted it was easier if they came to us, especially since Hadley is here. I couldn’t say no, and luckily, they got a last-minute flight. “What about you?”

“Hunter invited me over for Christmas Eve dinner. Otherwise, not a lot.” He finishes pulling on his dress shirt and buttons it.

“You’re welcome to come over to my place for Christmas. We usually eat around three. I’m having it catered, so we’ve got plenty.”

Wes perks up. “You sure?”

“Of course.”

This time of year is hard for him since his parents passed away a few years ago. They were older when they had him, and he’s an only child like both of his parents were, which means he doesn’t have any family.

“Want me to bring anything? Dessert? Appetizer? Dessert?”

“Dessert is fine.”

We don’t need it since I already ordered a few different ones, but what’s one more ?

“Thanks, dude. I’ll text you. I’m going to get out of here.” He stands, claps me on the back, grabs his phone and wallet, and walks out of the locker room.

It’s late on Christmas morning, and I’m lounging on the couch enjoying my second cup of coffee when there’s a knock at the front door.

“I’ll get it.” I set my coffee down and jump to my feet, walking over to the front door to find Wes standing in the hall holding two reusable grocery bags in his arms.

Before I can invite him in, laughter floats down the hallway, and like a siren call, it draws my attention to the beauty who’s coming toward us from the elevator. Becca’s dressed in tight-fitting jeans and a red sweater, a Santa hat on her head.

She’s gorgeous. And I am drawn to her the way a moth is to a light. To her laugh. Her smile. All that she is.

Out of the corner of my eye, I see Wes’s face light up, and he turns to address Becca and the couple with her.

“Doc. Merry Christmas.” He walks over to her and pulls her into a hug.

She pats him on the back, her gaze meeting mine. “Just Rebecca, Wes. Merry Christmas.”

I stand up straighter knowing she told me to use her nickname, but didn’t tell Wes to.

That’s gotta mean something, right? That she feels comfortable with me?

Or am I reading into things? It doesn’t matter—she told me she wasn’t interested in me that way.

And even if she was, I’ll never be good enough for her.

“Hi, Holt.” She grins at me. “Merry Christmas.”

“Merry Christmas, Rebecca.” Hadley bounds over and wraps her arms around her. “You should come in. We were going to put on a movie, and play board games.”

“Hads,” I growl. “It’s Christmas. I’m sure they have plans.”

“Thank you, but we wouldn’t want to intrude.

” Becca glances over at the couple with her, and the guy, who I assume is her dad since they look so much alike, raises an eyebrow at her.

She clears her throat and gives a small shake of her head that I wouldn’t have noticed if I wasn’t paying such close attention to her.

“Oh, I’m sorry. I didn’t introduce you.”

Introductions are made.

“At least come in for coffee,” Mom insists.

Wonderful.

Becca looks at me and I tip my chin toward the apartment. She stares at me for a few seconds, and I hold my breath, bracing myself for her to decline. Have I overstepped? Maybe I should have tried to shut down my mother’s invitation. I don’t want to make things awkward between us.

“Coffee sounds wonderful. If you’re sure you don’t mind,” Becca says.

“Of course not.” I wave them inside.

Mom beams and hurries back into the apartment. Wes winks at me as he walks past and I narrow my eyes. He’s up to something. I just know it.

“Where’s my niece?” he asks.

“In the kitchen with my dad.”

He holds up a gift bag that I didn’t see he was carrying and heads that way. “Hazel girl, Uncle Wes has a Christmas gift for you.”

“I can’t believe you invited him,” Hadley whispers, shaking her head at me before turning to our guests. “How do you take your coffee?”

“How about I go with you, and I can fix everyone’s,” Jill says, standing from where she’d just taken a seat on the couch next to her husband and Becca.

The two women make their way out of the room, leaving me alone with Becca and her dad.

“So, how long have you been playing hockey, son?” Calvin, Becca’s dad asks.

“Since I could walk, sir. My dad played in the AHL. He wanted to instill his love of hockey in me, so I’ve always played.”

He leans back against the couch cushions. “Did you always want to be a goalie? ”

“No. I played forward at first but eventually decided I wanted to be in the net. Mom wasn’t happy.” I chuckle. “The equipment is expensive. Not to mention she didn’t like that I was purposely going to be standing in the way of the pucks. It took a while for her to come around to the idea.”

Before Calvin can say anything else, Wes walks in, my daughter in his arms, followed by the others. Drinks are handed out, a couple of dishes of cookies are put on the coffee table, and everyone starts talking. This is nice.

Someone, I think my dad, pulls out Scrabble, and a game is started.

“I feel bad we’re infringing on your Christmas,” Becca says as I’m making a bottle for Hazel in the kitchen a little while later. “Once their game is over, we’ll get out of your hair.” She tips her chin to where our parents and Hadley are huddled around the board.

“It’s no problem at all. I think my parents are enjoying the company.”

I enjoy having you here, in my apartment, my space. With your family and mine hanging out. I could get used to this.

“I swear my dad could make friends with anyone,” she says.

“I’m pretty sure I heard him and my dad making plans to go for a walk tomorrow morning. And my mom was telling your stepmom about a knitting project she’s working on.”

Becca smiles, leaning against the counter and crossing her arms. “Yeah, Jill loves to knit. I’ll bet you anything she sends me something for Hazel in a few weeks. Multiple things, just so you’re warned.”

I bark out a laugh, turning to face her, resisting the urge to touch her. Tuck the strand of hair that’s fallen in her face behind her ear.

“That’s sweet of her. Hazel is going to be one spoiled little girl.”

“You don’t say? I mean, she does have a million uncles.”

I run a hand through my hair. “Don’t remind me. When it gets back to the rest of them that Wes got her a Christmas present, I’m sure they’ll all show up with gifts at our next practice. This apartment isn’t big enough.”

“Don’t tell them he got her a gift. ”

I snort. “Have you met Wes? If I had to guess, he already told them. Bragged about whatever he bought. There’s probably a bunch of messages in the group chat about it.”

“She’s lucky to have you, and them.”

“I know. I’m lucky to have them, too.” I run a hand down my face, wondering how I’d manage without all the support from my family, the team, even Becca.

“Hey, Holt, where’s the bottle? Hazel girl is hungry,” Wes hollers.

I shake myself out of my thoughts and grab my daughter’s bottle.

“Duty calls.”

The next few hours are a blur of happiness, noise, and all the things Christmas should be about.

Eventually Becca and her family say goodbye, although not before our parents can exchange numbers, and make plans.

Everyone hugs or shakes hands. Hadley whispers something to Becca.

What, I’m not sure, except they both look back at me.

Wes gives Becca an extra-long hug, and I have to bite my tongue to not tell him to stop. Pretty sure he’s doing it on purpose.

Finally, it’s my turn to say goodbye to her.

We stand staring at each other, neither of us moving.

Someone, pretty sure it’s Hadley, elbows me in the back.

I clear my throat, taking a step closer to her.

She puts her hand out before I can open my arms for a hug.

I stare at her and then down at her hand.

Huffing out a breath, I shake it gently.

“Merry Christmas, Holt,” she says when I let go.

“Merry Christmas, Becca.”

With that, the Jansen family leaves. I lock the door and turn to see four pairs of eyes staring at me.

“What?” I glare at them, crossing my arms.

“Rebecca’s very nice,” Mom says.

“I agree,” Hadley says.

“She is very nice. Right, Wes?” I turn to Wes silently begging him not to feed into this.

“Very nice.” Wes agrees with a smirk. “Very pretty, too.”

I roll my eyes.

“It’s time for lunch,” I announce as I push past them all and go into the kitchen, forcing myself to stop thinking about how much I enjoyed having Becca and her family here. Getting to hang out with her outside of the arena. Meeting her parents.

For the rest of the day, I struggle not to think about this morning and our unexpected guests. What it would be like if we celebrated every holiday this way.

There’s nothing wrong with daydreaming about it, even if it’s never going to come true.

I can fantasize about how we’d spend all of Christmas together.

How I’d wake her up on Christmas morning with a kiss.

I can imagine what we’d do once everyone had left to go back to their hotels after dinner, and Hazel was asleep.

I’d take her to bed, undress her like she was my present, and spend the night showing her how much she means to me.

At least in my daydreams I can imagine that I satisfy her, make her happy.